There is a growing consensus that you can treat and even prevent some illnesses with foods and supplements containing certain kinds of live bacteria, and some digestive disease specialists are now recommending probiotic supplements for disorders that have been difficult to treat with modern medicine.

Not all probiotics are the same and different strains of the bacteria have different effects. Overall, research has been promising for the use of probiotics in the treatment or prevention of diarrhoea, IBS, Crohn's and urinary tract infections.

Probiotics and Gut Health

The best case for probiotic therapy has been in the treatment of diarrhoea. Controlled trials have shown that probiotics can shorten the course of infectious diarrhoea in infants and children (but not adults). Although studies are limited to two large reviews, there is a suggestion that probiotics reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhoea by 60%, when compared with a placebo.

Probiotics may also help people with Crohn's disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Clinical trial results are mixed, but several small studies suggest that certain probiotics may prevent a relapse of Crohn's disease. Research suggests that people are trying probiotics before all the evidence is available for the strains they're using, suggesting more research is needed to find out which strains work best for which conditions.

Probiotics 

Probiotics are generally considered safe, especially as they are already present in a normal digestive system, although studies suggest there is a theoretical risk, for people with impaired immune function.

Most probiotics are sold as dietary supplements, and therefore do not undergo the testing and approval process that conventional drugs do. There is also no guarantee that the types of bacteria listed on a label is effective for the condition you're taking them for, and as health benefits are strain-specific, it is recommended you consult a practitioner familiar for the use of probiotics and their benefits. It is always a good idea to discuss your options.

Conclusion

Probiotics support other herbal supplements and often work in conjunction with enzyme digest supplements. It is a good supplement to take after a course of antibiotics and/or a sickness bug. I take probiotics daily for good gut health.

It is because I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome that I find them useful and together with an enzyme supplement, they help manage my symptoms. Stress and anxiety levels can interfere with IBS and on occasions, can make it worse.

Source: https://www.health.harvard.edu