What are Probiotics Used For?

Discover 6 uses of probiotics to keep you feeling healthy.

Probiotics, micro-organisms made up mostly of bacteria, are used to help with a variety of health conditions. The most studied probiotics are the bacterial species of Lactibacillus, and Bifidobacterium as well as the yeast species of Saccharomyces. These are micro-organisms that are commonly found in our gut. 

When using probiotics it is important to know the species, dose, frequency and duration for an effective treatment. 

So, what are probiotics used for?

1. Prevent or treat diarrhea caused by antibiotics

One of the most common ways that probiotics are used is to prevent or treat diarrhea caused by antibiotics.

When you take antibiotics they kill both good and bad bacteria in your body. When the good bacteria in your colon are destroyed then the bad bacteria can grow causing diarrhea.

Taking probiotics when starting an antibiotic can reduce your chances of getting diarrhea.

In general, taking a probiotic daily while on the antibiotic and for 2 weeks afterward is a good start to keep you healthy. I am frequently asked...

"Do I have to take the antibiotic and probiotic at different times?"

No, you can take them at the same time

You do need to take a probiotic that has a minimum of 10 billion Colony-Forming Units (CFUs) daily and that has multiple strains of bacteria. This can be used preventatively or after diarrhea has already started.

References (1) 

2. Infectious Diarrhea

Research shows the benefits of probiotics for diarrhea. Taking a probiotic at the beginning of having diarrhea can shorten how long you are sick by about 1 day (16-26 hours). The most commonly studied form of probiotics were the Lactobacillus species.
Keep reading to learn how to get rid of a stomach bug for good with probiotics. 

References (1)

3. Traveler's diarrhea

When traveling outside of the US you could get traveler's diarrhea. This is most commonly caused by exposure to bacteria in water or improperly prepared foods. 

Probiotics can be taken preventatively to avoid getting diarrhea on your trip. (No one wants to spend their vacation to Mexico in the bathroom instead of soaking up rays on the beach). 

Start taking the probiotic 2 days prior your trip for best results. 

Studied probiotics were Saccharomyces boulardii, and a mixture of lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. 

References (2)

4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Another use of probiotics is for IBS. 

An excellent study was published in July 2020 showing benefits of probiotics for IBS. It was a double-blind randomized controlled trial specifically studying a species of bacteria, Bifidobacterium bifidum.

This study shows significant improvement in IBS sufferers who took 1 billion units of non-viable B bifidum HI-MIMBb75 cells for 8 weeks. 

References (3)

4. Group B Strep (GBS)

Group B strep is a bacteria that is commonly found in the birth canal (15-40% of pregnant women). It doesn't cause any problems for the mother and is not a considered a sexually transmitted infection. 

It is a concern for being a major cause of infections in newborn babies. It could cause an infection in the brain / brain lining (meningitis), lungs (pneumonia), and blood stream (sepsis). 

Currently, the treatment plan is for pregnant mothers to get 4 hours of IV antibiotics while in labor to kill off the GBS prior to the newborn passing through the birth canal. 

Although more research needs to be done, taking probiotics can reduce the chances of being colonized with GBS and thus avoid transfer to the baby and the need for antibiotics. 

References (4,5)

5. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Many studies have been conducted to test the benefit of probiotics for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. 

The best results are using 2 specific strains of Lactobacillus taken orally in conjunction with the typical treatment of metronidazole 500 mg twice a day for 7 days.

The treatment regimen for the probiotics is:
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 1 billion CFUs and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 1 billion CFUs taken 1 capsule twice a day for 30 days starting on the first day of treatment with metronidazole.

References (6) 

6. Mastitis

Mastitis can be a very painful experience for a breastfeeding mother. Research studies show that the use of probiotics taken in late pregnancy (30 weeks until delivery), can lower the risk of developing mastitis when starting to breast feed. 

Taking Lactobacillus salivarius PS2 at a dose of 1 billion CFUs per capsule daily during late pregnancy, can lower the chances of getting mastitis. 

Probiotics can also be used to treat mastitis. A study of 352 women with mastitis showed that either the probiotic of:

• Lactobacillus salivarius CECT5713 at a dose of 1 billion CFUs

                                                         OR

• Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 at a dose of 1 billion CFUs

When taken daily for 3 weeks had better improvement in pain and lower recurrence than ladies who took antibiotics.

References (7, 8)

So... what are probiotics used for?

As you can see, probiotics can be used for so many things. The next time you are sick and thinking of taking an antibiotic ask, "Will a probiotic work instead?" and if you are starting and antibiotic consider taking a probiotic with it. 

References for "What are probiotics used for?"