Probiotics Help Only a Few Relatively Rare Diseases, according to Strong Science

"There are microbes living in medicine cabinets across the U.S., next to the aspirin and the Band-Aids. And people want them there. Indeed, consumers probably paid good money for them. Probiotics are capsules or pills with live microorganismsalmost always bacteria or yeastthat are supposed to confer health benefits once people swallow them. Some of my friends, including a woman who was recently treated for cancer and a man with persistent digestive issues, bought the pills at the recommendation of doctors."

"Others, aware of a lot of new evidence about the ways microbes in our guts influence physical functioning, bought them on their own. Many hope the bacteria will improve their overall gut health, a desire reflected in bottle labels that say things like improved digestion and clinically studied. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing."

"But despite this popularity, evidence that probiotics help people is surprisingly limited. Medical organizations such as the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recommend only a few specific bacterial strains for a few well-defined conditions. The average person likely doesn't need probiotics and is unlikely to benefit from them for day-to-day use, says gastroenterologist Omeed Alipour of the Santa Clara Health System in California, a spokesperson for the AGA."

Probiotics are ingestible capsules or pills containing live microorganisms, typically bacteria or yeast, marketed to confer health benefits. Many consumers purchase probiotics to improve gut health, based on recommendations from healthcare providers or emerging research about gut microbes. Labels often claim improved digestion and clinical study support. Evidence supporting probiotic benefits for the average person is limited. Professional bodies such as the American Gastroenterological Association recommend only a few specific strains for defined conditions. Most people are unlikely to need probiotics or gain routine day-to-day benefits. Scientific consensus is cautious because the research remains uneven and incomplete.

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