The Medical Functions of Probiotics and Their Role in Clinical Nutrition

Conclusion: There is a growing interest in probiotics and defining the proper use of these agents. Although probiotics seemed to have beneficial effects in many clinical trials, the efficiency of probiotics is strain and dose-dependent. Also, there are numerous clinical and methodological differences between trials (e.g., strain used, dose, administration) that make it difficult to draw a conclusion about the efficacy. Additional research in the form of well designed, randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trials is needed. Although probiotics appear to be safe in general, caution should be used when administered to specific subgroups of patients such as the immunocompromised, the elderly, and children.
Source: Current Nutrition and Food Science - Category: Nutrition Source Type: research