Can Probiotics Help You Manage Chronic Health Conditions

Their ubiquity may be for good reason: In scientific studies compiled by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, probiotics have been shown to support immune capacity, lower inflammation, and enhance the digestive system, among other benefits. “Because probiotics enhance the number and type of beneficial bacteria in your gut, they can have a positive impact on overall health,” says Amy Rothenberg, ND, a licensed naturopathic doctor based in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Probiotics for Chronic Health Conditions

Along with these larger health benefits, many people opt to eat probiotic foods and take probiotic supplements to treat specific conditions. But what does the research say? The short answer is, yes, probiotics may be able to help treat certain health conditions, says Dr. Rothenberg. More specifically, certain probiotic foods and supplements might help: Heart disease: A review of several studies published in January 2016 in the journal Food & Function found that a healthy microbiome — the bacteria, microorganisms, fungi, and viruses that are present in the gastrointestinal tract — may help reduce several of the risk factors for heart disease. “Lowering cholesterol and blood pressure are two important areas for further study,” says Rothenberg. Diabetes: A meta-analysis of 12 studies published in June 2017 in the journal Medical Science Monitor found that in people with type 2 diabetes, taking probiotic supplements was associated with improved blood sugar levels. This is similar to findings from a review of several studies published in December 2016 in the journal BioMed Research International, which concluded that probiotics may help manage diabetes by reducing insulin resistance and inflammation. Digestive conditions: Gastrointestinal issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain were among the earliest areas of studies on probiotics, according to Rothenberg. A review of 11 studies published in September 2019 in the journal Nutrients found that probiotic supplements can improve symptoms in some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and that multi-strain supplements may be more beneficial for IBS than single-strain supplements. Another review of 22 randomized control trials published in June 2017 in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics found that probiotic supplements or foods that contain a probiotic called VSL #3 can help manage ulcerative colitis, a type of irritable bowel disease. Autoimmune conditions: A review published in January 2019 in the journal Clinical and Experimental Immunology found that the microbiome plays a significant role in the development of autoimmune conditions and that probiotics may be relevant for treating conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). “When I treat a person with an autoimmune condition — from RA to psoriasis to lupus or multiple sclerosis — we work intentionally and over years to create a diverse and robust microbiome,” says Rothenberg. Allergies and asthma: A study published in February 2017 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that taking a probiotic during allergy season may help reduce symptoms of hay fever. Studies have also shown that probiotics can help reduce allergic conditions like eczema and food allergies, according to Rothenberg. A meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials with over 5,000 children published in July 2019 in the journal Allergy and Asthma Proceedings found that when mothers took a probiotic supplement before and after giving birth, it reduced the risk of their child developing asthma, although further study is needed to identify which probiotics were most helpful. Anxiety and depression: “There is a growing observation of the gut-brain connection,” says Rothenberg. “From that, we can begin to understand the impact of the microbiome on mental health.” A review of studies published in May 2019 in the journal General Psychiatry suggested that people with anxiety might get some relief by using probiotic foods and supplements to regulate the gut microbiome. There’s also an active study that’s currently looking into whether probiotics may have a role in alleviating depression symptoms. Cancer: For people on chemotherapy, probiotics can help to prevent the side effect of mouth sores, according to a meta-analysis reviewing five randomized control trials published in January 2020 in the journal Oral Oncology. “There is also ongoing study of the role the microbiome plays in combination with conventional cancer care, with an eye to making treatment more effective and reducing side effects,” says Rothenberg. However, if you’re undergoing cancer treatment, be sure to talk to a healthcare provider before taking probiotics. It should be noted that probiotics are not a replacement for conventional medicine to treat any of these conditions, but rather, a complementary option to take in addition to your prescribed treatment. If you want to try a probiotic supplement to treat a chronic health condition, check first with your doctor or a dietitian, and consult a source such as the Alliance for Education on Probiotics (AEProbio) to research your options. While there are many probiotics on the market, you’re most likely to see a positive difference if you take one that’s been studied for the specific condition you have.

title: “Can Probiotics Help You Manage Chronic Health Conditions " ShowToc: true date: “2023-01-01” author: “Brande Souther”

Their ubiquity may be for good reason: In scientific studies compiled by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, probiotics have been shown to support immune capacity, lower inflammation, and enhance the digestive system, among other benefits. “Because probiotics enhance the number and type of beneficial bacteria in your gut, they can have a positive impact on overall health,” says Amy Rothenberg, ND, a licensed naturopathic doctor based in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Probiotics for Chronic Health Conditions

Along with these larger health benefits, many people opt to eat probiotic foods and take probiotic supplements to treat specific conditions. But what does the research say? The short answer is, yes, probiotics may be able to help treat certain health conditions, says Dr. Rothenberg. More specifically, certain probiotic foods and supplements might help: Heart disease: A review of several studies published in January 2016 in the journal Food & Function found that a healthy microbiome — the bacteria, microorganisms, fungi, and viruses that are present in the gastrointestinal tract — may help reduce several of the risk factors for heart disease. “Lowering cholesterol and blood pressure are two important areas for further study,” says Rothenberg. Diabetes: A meta-analysis of 12 studies published in June 2017 in the journal Medical Science Monitor found that in people with type 2 diabetes, taking probiotic supplements was associated with improved blood sugar levels. This is similar to findings from a review of several studies published in December 2016 in the journal BioMed Research International, which concluded that probiotics may help manage diabetes by reducing insulin resistance and inflammation. Digestive conditions: Gastrointestinal issues such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain were among the earliest areas of studies on probiotics, according to Rothenberg. A review of 11 studies published in September 2019 in the journal Nutrients found that probiotic supplements can improve symptoms in some people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and that multi-strain supplements may be more beneficial for IBS than single-strain supplements. Another review of 22 randomized control trials published in June 2017 in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics found that probiotic supplements or foods that contain a probiotic called VSL #3 can help manage ulcerative colitis, a type of irritable bowel disease. Autoimmune conditions: A review published in January 2019 in the journal Clinical and Experimental Immunology found that the microbiome plays a significant role in the development of autoimmune conditions and that probiotics may be relevant for treating conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). “When I treat a person with an autoimmune condition — from RA to psoriasis to lupus or multiple sclerosis — we work intentionally and over years to create a diverse and robust microbiome,” says Rothenberg. Allergies and asthma: A study published in February 2017 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that taking a probiotic during allergy season may help reduce symptoms of hay fever. Studies have also shown that probiotics can help reduce allergic conditions like eczema and food allergies, according to Rothenberg. A meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials with over 5,000 children published in July 2019 in the journal Allergy and Asthma Proceedings found that when mothers took a probiotic supplement before and after giving birth, it reduced the risk of their child developing asthma, although further study is needed to identify which probiotics were most helpful. Anxiety and depression: “There is a growing observation of the gut-brain connection,” says Rothenberg. “From that, we can begin to understand the impact of the microbiome on mental health.” A review of studies published in May 2019 in the journal General Psychiatry suggested that people with anxiety might get some relief by using probiotic foods and supplements to regulate the gut microbiome. There’s also an active study that’s currently looking into whether probiotics may have a role in alleviating depression symptoms. Cancer: For people on chemotherapy, probiotics can help to prevent the side effect of mouth sores, according to a meta-analysis reviewing five randomized control trials published in January 2020 in the journal Oral Oncology. “There is also ongoing study of the role the microbiome plays in combination with conventional cancer care, with an eye to making treatment more effective and reducing side effects,” says Rothenberg. However, if you’re undergoing cancer treatment, be sure to talk to a healthcare provider before taking probiotics. It should be noted that probiotics are not a replacement for conventional medicine to treat any of these conditions, but rather, a complementary option to take in addition to your prescribed treatment. If you want to try a probiotic supplement to treat a chronic health condition, check first with your doctor or a dietitian, and consult a source such as the Alliance for Education on Probiotics (AEProbio) to research your options. While there are many probiotics on the market, you’re most likely to see a positive difference if you take one that’s been studied for the specific condition you have.