2024-02-10 08:00:09
Fiordaliso / Getty Images Probiotics are useful as a complement to treatments for certain diseases.
Fiordaliso / Getty Images
Probiotics are useful as a complement to treatments for certain diseases.
HEALTH – Positive effects on the immune system, the intestines or overall health… Many virtues are attributed to probiotics, these live microorganisms which are very fashionable. But in what situations are they really effective?
Although they are present in our daily diet – in certain yogurts or fermented drinks, for example – they are also found in pharmacies, most often in the form of small capsules. They are used with the aim of improving overall health and as a treatment complement for certain pathologies.
“By definition, probiotics are bacteria that are good for your health. They therefore indeed have positive effects”, confirms Nathalie Vergnolle, researcher and director of the INSERM Digestive Health Research Institute. And not just regarding gut health. To see more clearly their real benefits, Le HuffPost called on two experts on the subject.
Useful for certain diseases
The main effect of probiotics is to restore, or maintain, the balance between the bacteria present in the intestinal microbiota. Thus, in the event of infectious colic, or diarrhea following antibiotics, probiotics are recommended to “accelerate the return to normal of the microbiota”, according to Nathalie Vergnolle. They are also useful in preventing traveler’s diarrhea, the famous tourista.
“Studies have shown that probiotics can help with other chronic or inflammatory pathologies, or with certain allergies. But these are relatively discreet effects. We do not treat serious illnesses with probiotics, they are supportive treatments”she specifies before emphasizing: “ The risk is that the public will think that they will treat themselves with probiotics. »
Doctors also prescribe these microorganisms to patients with irritable bowel syndrome. “It is a very complicated and little-known pathology. We know that certain probiotics can improve things”explains the INSERM researcher.
What regarding the side effects? “There have been cases of septicemia or urinary infections in certain patients who have an immune deficiency”reveals Christophe Cellier, gastroenterologist at the European Hospital and president of the French National Society of Gastroenterology (SNFGE). “But it remains exceptional. »
Furthermore, “it is not certain that these cases are due to probiotics”adds Nathalie Vergnolle. “But for immunocompromised patients, probiotics are not recommended. »
Probiotic cures
Probiotics are also popular among people who simply want to take care of their gut health, and who don’t have any illnesses that require them. “Taking a course of probiotics from time to time is a good idea. Even if we do not have a pathology, we can have small gastrointestinal disturbances and intestinal flora that is not necessarily efficient. We can take it in these cases”explains the researcher.
Apart from the intestines, probiotics can have benefits for “everything that can depend on the microbiota”. She details: “We know that it will have effects on the axis between the intestines and the skin, between the intestines and the brain or even the intestines and joints. » Probiotics also have discrete benefits on the immune system and other cells in our body. They thus have “an overall positive effect on health” and are – in the majority of cases – not dangerous.
As for the cures, their duration and the dosage of the product vary depending on the probiotics you take and your needs. However, be careful to choose them carefully. The researcher warns regarding what is sold on the Internet, certain products are not controlled and can be dangerous. She recommends going to a pharmacy, following the advice of a professional and buying the products available in pharmacies.
Also see on Le HuffPost :
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