Nutritionist Christine Avanti: Probiotics - Side Effects and Risks
Probiotics are live microorganisms (in other words, bacteria) that are similar to helpful bacteria found in the human digestive tract. What side effects and risks have been observed in the use of probiotics?
Probiotics: Side Effects and Risks of Probiotics
Our Western approach to medicine has been to prevent any form of bacterial infection. The concept of probiotics is to infect (colonize) the body with helpful bacteria.
Some live microorganisms have a long history of use as probiotics without causing illness in people. It is important to understand that each strain of probiotic bacteria is different and will therefore confer differing health benefits and side effects. The same strains will perform differently in different preparations. Use of probiotics is a science and the side effects of one product have nothing to do with those of another. Some probiotics' safety has not been thoroughly studied scientifically, however. More information is especially needed on how safe they are for young children, elderly people, and people with compromised immune systems such as AIDS patients. Looking for "side effects of probiotics" is similar to looking for "side effects of drugs" - each drug must be studied individually just as each strain and preparation of a probiotic product must be scientifically analyzed for efficacy and safety on its own.
Probiotics' side effects, if they occur, tend to be mild and digestive (such as gas or bloating). Probiotics might theoretically cause infections that need to be treated with antibiotics, especially in people with underlying health conditions. They could also cause unhealthy metabolic activities, too much stimulation of the immune system, or gene transfer (insertion of genetic material into a cell). However, such effects are theoretical and have not been widely observed throughout a large body of scientific research. Most probiotics are widely considered to be as safe as eating yogurt.
If you are thinking about using a probiotic product as a treatment for a serious illness, consult your health care provider first. No CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) therapy should be used in place of conventional medical care or to delay seeking that care.
Generally speaking, probiotics have a wonderful long-term safety record - comparable to eating yogurt.
Effects from one species or strain of probiotics do not necessarily hold true for others, or even for different preparations of the same species or strain.
Be sure to analyze each probiotic product individually as the effects of one do not apply to another.
If you use a probiotic product and experience an effect that concerns you, contact your health care provider.
You can locate research reports in peer-reviewed journals on probiotics' effectiveness and safety through the resources at PubMed.
