
Should You Be Taking Them?
Probiotics have become increasingly popular, lining the shelves of health stores and pharmacies. But are they truly beneficial?
Experts are now questioning the effectiveness of these commercially manufactured mixtures. While once seen as a way to replicate the healthy bacteria in our bodies, some researchers believe they may not be as helpful as initially thought.
Dr. Aditya Sreenivasan, a gastroenterologist at Lenox Hill Hospital, highlights the individualistic nature of both probiotics and individuals. He emphasizes that each probiotic and person is unique, making it difficult to determine what specific bacteria someone might need, especially if they are experiencing gut issues.
Currently, there is no definitive test to identify what your gut may be lacking and which probiotic could be beneficial. This makes choosing a probiotic a trial-and-error process.
Dr. Sreenivasan advises against stopping probiotics if they are providing some benefit, but he also rarely recommends starting them. He suggests that probiotics are a reasonable option for individuals with significant IBS that hasn't responded to other interventions like dietary changes. However, he cautions that they can be expensive and many people may end up spending money without seeing any improvement.
Dr. Shilpa Ravella, a transplant gastroenterologist at Columbia University, echoes this sentiment. While she has patients who swear by probiotics, she believes they are best used for specific issues under a doctor's guidance.
She emphasizes that there are specific clinical scenarios where probiotics are prescribed, such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, or antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
However, both experts warn against using probiotics without caution. Dr. Sreenivasan advises using them with caution if you have certain health conditions like being immunocompromised, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis.
It's important to note that the Food and Drug Administration does not classify probiotic capsules as drugs. This means they do not need to be proven "safe and effective." Instead, they only need to meet the lower standard of being "generally recognized as safe."
Dr. Ravella recommends consulting your gastroenterologist about a probiotic that could help you if you have a specific condition or symptoms.
If you're not experiencing any gut-related issues, she advises focusing on eating whole, plant-based foods to support your gut health before resorting to supplements.