Probiotics have been touted to help with a wide range of health issues. Our Healthy Skeptic reveals which claims are believable and which aren’t.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
The Claim: Probiotics are good for you.
The idea of swallowing bacteria might seem, well, a bit gross. But that’s what probiotics are, “friendly” bacteria and yeasts found in foods, drinks, pills, and powders, which supposedly deliver a long list of health benefits.
But many of the claims need to be swallowed with caution.
There are lots of different strains of probiotics.
Research shows that specific ones may prevent certain gastrointestinal problems, including infection with a diarrhea-causing bacterium known as c. Diff in people taking antibiotics;
And inflammation of the intestines in premature infants.
Probiotics have also been studied for issues not related to digestion.
Among them: Colds… gum disease… high blood pressure… high cholesterol …eczema in children…anxiety & depression and obesity.
While some of this research shows possible benefits, it’s far from conclusive.
The problem is that many probiotic studies are small, poorly designed, and funded by companies with a financial interest. Plus this research often includes little or no information on risks and side effects.
That has raised safety concerns among some experts, as has the lack of strict regulation.
Manufacturers of probiotics are not required to prove their products are safe. And there’s no guarantee that they contain what’s listed on the label.
If you want to try probiotics, talk to a health care provider.
Find out what strain or strains have been studied for your particular condition, and in what amounts. If labels don’t clearly list this information, consider it a red flag.
In short, do some homework and don’t assume that a food or supplement is good for you just because it contains probiotics. While specific probiotics may help with a few specific issues, they’re not the cure-all that their marketing would have you believe.
For more on diet and nutrition claims, check out my book coffee is good for you, which reveals the truth about everything from red meat to red wine.
Helping you be a healthy skeptic, I’m Robert Davis.