In this Article

• Introduction to probiotics
• What is important to know about probiotics?
• What are probiotics, and which foods contain probiotics?
• What are the health benefits of probiotics?
• Do probiotics actually work?
• What are the side effects and risks of probiotics?
• Is there anything to take into consideration when taking probiotics?
• What research is being done on probiotics?
• Where can a person get more information about probiotics?
• Probiotics Index

For more information

NCCAM Clearinghouse

The NCCAM Clearinghouse provides information on CAM and NCCAM, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. Examples of publications include What's in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements and Are You Considering Using CAM? The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226
TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615
Web site: nccam.nih.gov
E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov

References:

Sources are primarily recent reviews on the general topic of probiotics in the peer-reviewed medical and scientific literature in English in the PubMed database, selected evidence-based databases, and Federal Government sources.

1994-2004 U.S. specialty/other supplement sales. Nutrition Business Journal. 2005. Accessed on December 7, 2006.

Alvarez-Olmos MI, Oberhelman RA. Probiotic agents and infectious diseases: a modern perspective on a traditional therapy. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2001;32(11):1567-1576.

Bifidobacteria. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed on December 7, 2006.

Bifidus. Thomson MICROMEDEX AltMedDex System. Web site Accessed on December 7, 2006.

Cabana MD, Shane AL, Chao C, et al. Probiotics in primary care pediatrics. Clinical Pediatrics. 2006;45(5):405-410.

Doron S, Gorbach SL. Probiotics: their role in the treatment and prevention of disease. Expert Review of Anti-Infective Therapy. 2006;4(2):261-275.

Ezendam J, van Loveren H. Probiotics: immunomodulation and evaluation of safety and efficacy. Nutrition Reviews. 2006;64(1):1-14.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and World Health Organization (WHO). Guidelines for the Evaluation of Probiotics in Food. Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Working Group on Drafting Guidelines for the Evaluation of Probiotics in Food. Accessed on December 7, 2006.

Gill HS, Guarner F. Probiotics and human health: a clinical perspective. Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2004;80(947):516-526.

Hammerman C, Bin-Nun A, Kaplan M. Safety of probiotics: comparison of two popular strains. BMJ. 2006;333(7576):1006-1008.

Huebner ES, Surawicz CM. Probiotics in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal infections. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2006;35(2):355-365.

Lactobacillus. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed on December 7, 2006.

Lactobacillus. Thomson MICROMEDEX AltMedDex System Web site. Accessed on December 7, 2006.

Probiotics: Bottom Line Monograph. Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed on December 7, 2006.

Reid G, Hammond JA. Probiotics: some evidence of their effectiveness. Canadian Family Physician. 2005;51:1487-1493.

Salminen SJ, Gueimonde M, Isolauri E. Probiotics that modify disease risk. Journal of Nutrition. 2005;135(5):1294-1298.

Vanderhoof JA, Young RJ. Current and potential uses of probiotics. Annals of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. 2004; 93(5 suppl 3):S33-S37.

Walker R, Buckley M. Probiotic Microbes: The Scientific Basis. Report of an American Society for Microbiology colloquium; November 5-7, 2005; Baltimore, Maryland. American Society for Microbiology Web site. Accessed on December 7, 2006.

SOURCE: National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine