Probiotics Aren’t Recommended for Most Digestive Conditions, Guidelines Say
If you think a probiotic will relieve symptoms of ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), think again. Studies haven’t proved that probiotics can help people with these conditions or a variety of other digestive disorders, according to clinical guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA).“Patients taking probiotics for Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, or IBS should consider stopping,” says Grace Su, MD, a professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and the chair of the panel that drafted the guidelines. “The supplements can be costly, and there isn’t enough evidence to prove a benefit or confirm lack of harm.”Probiotics are microscopic organisms — including certain bacteria and yeast — that live in the digestive tract and are also found in a variety of foods and dietary supplements.…