Probiotics can be go-to remedy for more than GI tract ills

Probiotics, known as "good" bacteria used for treating multiple gastro-intestinal problems and accompanying symptoms were the subject of studies presented this week in Washington, D.C.

The American College of Gastroenterology’s (ACG) 76th Annual Scientific meeting will present four studies on the use and effectiveness of probiotics on non-diagnosed Irritable Bowel Syndrom (IBS) and ulcerative colitis, psoriasis and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The benefits of good bacteria vs. bad bacteria in a person's intestinal tract is not a new idea, nor is the introduction of more of the "good " kind into one's diet to assist in replenishing what helps keep balance and uncomfortable symptoms away.

Everyday over-the-counter products can contain enough to assist keep that balance including yogurt, juices,and soy products.

Conclusions will be made public during an ACG press briefing on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 entitled: “Good, Bad and Ugly Bugs: Mother Nature as a Treatment for Better Health in the GI Tract,” which will highlight new clinical science that explores the role of the “gut microbiota.”

After conducting 22 separate studies and gathering results across the spectrum, a conclusion was reached that probiotic therapy reduces the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). Data presented today from researchers at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, is the first of its kind that examined the role of probiotics in treating these conditions.

In the 22 studies 3096 patients were included, 63 percent of whom were adults and all treated with various species of probiotics. The findings demonstrate that probiotic prophylaxis significantly reduced the odds ratio of developing AAD by approximately 60 percent.

A statement was issued by the ACG, principal investigator Rabin Rahmani, MD who said, "This analysis clearly demonstrates that probiotics offer protective benefit in the prevention of these diseases."

Steven Shamah, MD, who presented the findings was very clear about his conclusion, "These findings suggest that all patients who are at high-risk for these infections demonstrated by recent antibiotic useage, old age, recent hospitalization, low albumin, and immunosuppression should be considered for probiotic therapy."

The ACG identifies research performed at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as the largest study of probiotics in the country involving non-patients who suffer abdominal discomfort and bloating. It tested and assessed using what is called B. infantis 35624--a probiotic that has been effective in relieving symptoms in IBS patients.

The study included 302 non-patients who experienced symptoms more than twice weekly on average for at least three months but had not seen a physician or received prescribed medication for at least one year. It was a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled, parallel study.

There were no significant differences between the placebo and probiotic group, according to Yehuda Ringel, MD, who presented the findings. Dr. Ringel's comments contained in the ACG prepared statement explained what data might not have measured.

"This doesn’t mean that B. infantis 35624 cannot help ease abdominal discomfort and bloating in non-patients—we just couldn’t demonstrate it because the room for improvement is low compared to IBS patients with more severe symptoms.

The broadest study of the effectiveness of probiotics as an anti-inflammatory for patients being treated for ulcerative colitis, psoriasis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome produced promising results.

“The human immunological response to B. infantis further supports the hypothesis that manipulation of the microbiota with specific therapeutic microbes can have a significant effect on host inflammatory processes,” said Eamonn M.M. Quigley, MD, FACG, who presented the findings.

“This anti-inflammatory effect is not restricted to a specific disease state, suggesting that B. infantis induces a critical cellular response, which may include the induction of regulatory cell subsets.”

Later today, the formal findings will be presented in detail by the American College of Gastroenterology.

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

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