Probiotics for Diarrhea

Yogurt News, 1925

Probiotics are living microorganisms thought to be beneficial for the digestive tract. Probiotic bacteria are classified as nonpathogenic, which means that they do not cause disease (unlike the bacteria that sometimes colonize the digestive tract and cause diarrhea). Most alternative practitioners, such as chiropractors and naturopaths, feel strongly about the benefits of probiotics for digestive tract health. Several Western scientific studies of probiotics have also been done, with mixed results. Doctors are not certain whether probiotics benefit other digestive problems, but there is evidence to support using probiotics to treat diarrhea, especially diarrhea that has been caused by rotavirus. Some other forms of diarrhea, such as diarrhea resulting from radiation treatments for cancer, do not respond very well to probiotic treatment.

Probiotics as a remedy for diarrhea

Method

• Eat foods that contain probiotic bacteria, such as yogurt, kefir, miso, tempeh, pickled vegetables such as sauerkraut, and some juices and other beverages that have been fortified with probiotic bacteria. Read the label first to be sure that the food contains live active cultures.
• You can also take probiotic supplements in the form of powder or capsules.

Why It Works

The human intestines are normally home to about 200 strains of beneficial bacteria, which help to keep the digestive system healthy and improve the body's ability to absorb nutrients from food. It is thought that probiotic bacteria can coat the walls of the intestines, protecting the intestines from infection by disease-causing bacteria. Probiotic bacteria may also change the environment of the intestines, making it less welcoming and more hostile to microorganisms such as rotavirus.

Precautions

Probiotics are believed to be safe, and are a very low risk remedy for most people. Any side effects tend to be mild. Some people experience gas or bloating when their bodies are not used to probiotic bacteria. People who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy products should not eat yogurt or kefir, and may also be sensitive to probiotic supplements that are produced using cultures from dairy products. Microbiologists also caution that probiotics are theoretically a risk for the very young, the very old, and anyone who has a compromised immune system – in such individuals, taking probiotics could cause an overgrowth of bacteria in the digestive tract. But this concern has not been researched. Research is also beginning to show that probiotics can speed up the body's metabolism of certain drugs. If you are taking a prescription drug for an intestinal disorder, talk with your doctor before using probiotics. Always consult a doctor if you have diarrhea that lasts more than a day or is extremely painful.

More Remedies

• Click here for all diarrhea remedies