An Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics review summarized and critically evaluated current knowledge of probiotics used to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Of the 42 trials evaluated examining the efficacy of probiotics in IBS, 34 reported beneficial effects in at least one of the endpoints or symptoms examined. The review suggests the future holds much promise for the use of lactic acid bacteria (probiotics) in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. The selection of probiotic strains for use in clinical trials (predominately lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium) has largely been based on those with a historical profile free of harmful side effects, so it is not surprising that they exhibited an excellent safety record.
There is now a strong rationale behind their use, solid evidence for strain specific efficacy and emerging data identifying potential mechanism of action for agents that have an enviable safety profile compared with pharmacological agents.
Steve: you and I have known this for a while. However, it is always nice to see it published in a respected, peer-reviewed, medical journal polished off with a parting shot at pharmaceutical safety.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
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