Microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast, that are administered to prevent or treat disease are known as probiotics. A very lucrative industry emerged to produce and sell these particular organisms. However, despite well-established basic science showing the importance of the microbial flora to health, it is not a simple matter to produce safe and effective probiotic therapies.
While well-established basic science exists, there is limited research evidence. It is impossible to be certain the efficacy and the safety of these medical therapies. Both actual and theoretical risks from probiotics have been discussed in the human medical literature. Generally, probiotics are considered safe in immunocompetent humans, though not all the potential risks are well characterized.
Source: Veterinary Practice News, January 10, 2018.
Article take-a-ways:
- Strong pre-clinical evidence, from in vitro and lab animal studies, suggest probiotics could have significant beneficial effects.
- There is moderate to strong evidence in humans for some probiotics for some indications, such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. For most indications, however, the evidence is encouraging but still weak.
- In veterinary patients, the best case can be made for use of probiotics in acute diarrhea, though even for this indication the evidence is neither strong nor consistent. The evidence for most other indications is insufficient to draw any reliable conclusions.
- Despite a lack of research specifically assessing safety, probiotics generally are considered safe in individuals considered immunocompetent.
- Many veterinary probiotic products are inaccurately labeled, and there is poor quality control in the probiotic market.