Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 1, 2019

There’s been a lot of talk about probiotics lately due to their increase in popularity. Probiotics are micro- organisms that you can swallow, typically in pill form. The goal is to supplement the normal gastrointestinal (GI) flora (the community of micro- organisms that live in the digestive tracts of humans and animals to aid in digestion), including bacteria and yeast. The first documented study of probiotics was in 1899 and it concluded that episodes of diarrhea occurred less frequent in breastfed infants, possibly due to a “probiotic” naturally transferred via breastmilk. Since then, much has changed. Current literature recommendations vary regarding benefits of probiotics, including when, what and how they should be used. As a result, there are more than 100 different commercially available formulations that vary in expense, refrigeration requirements, bacterial composition and ratios of organisms. Since these products are Gut-level healing Dealing with a gut issue that isn’t going away? Talk with your primary care provider or call Kootenai Clinic Gastroenterology at (208) 625-4595 . Matthew Lute, D.O., Kootenai Clinic Gastroenterology Ask the Expert considered supplements, there is no direct FDA oversight regarding their contents like there is with prescription medications. The microbiome of the GI tract is very complex, and although we know more about it than we did in 1899, there is still more to learn. In specific situations, probiotics have a role in the management of GI conditions, and some patients notice significant improvement in their gastrointestinal symptoms. There has been research that supports treating some conditions with probiotics, specifically irritable bowel syndrome and antibiotic- associated diarrhea. Other diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, do not have significantly supportive data. What do probiotics do, and are they actually helpful? Anoteof caution Although some probiotics can be naturally obtained from yogurt, juices and soy products, the overall bacterial counts in capsule supplements are significantly greater. Caution should be used with these supplements, specifically when being used by patients who are older adults or infants, or people who are pregnant or extremely ill. In those situations, patients should consult with their physicians before starting these supplements. 22