Buzz
Our bodies depend on beneficial bacteria for optimal health, but simply ingesting these bacteria—whether in pill form or in foods like yogurt—doesn't always result in improved well-being. A newly developed online tool connects specific brands to health conditions where they've been proven effective based on existing research.
Probiotic shopping can be tricky because products vary so greatly. Two probiotic manufacturers may offer different bacterial strains, amounts, and delivery methods, such as pills or food. For instance, if research shows a particular type of yogurt helps alleviate constipation, it doesn’t guarantee that every yogurt on the shelf will have the same impact.
To utilize the tool, select whether you're seeking results for children, adults, or women specifically, and choose an 'indication,' which refers to the condition you aim to address. This tool is geared toward healthcare professionals, so it includes technical language. The results present a chart with links to conditions the brand of food or supplement has shown promise in treating. Brands labeled 'Level I' refer to studies using randomized controlled trials, considered the gold standard in treatment testing.
However, this chart is incomplete as it doesn't include any information on negative evidence, such as studies where a brand failed to produce positive results. For example, Activia yogurt is recognized for its potential benefits for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), with two 'Level I' studies cited. Yet, there are also studies, like one published in a South African journal, where Activia's probiotic strain did not help individuals with IBS.
It's important to note that this tool was created by the Alliance for Education on Probiotics, which is supported by probiotic manufacturers such as GoodBelly and P&G Personal Health Care. Many of the studies referenced by the tool are also funded by these companies. While this doesn't necessarily mean the information is inaccurate, it suggests that both the industry-backed studies and the tool itself may have a bias towards encouraging doctors to recommend these products.
Despite this, the tool remains useful because there are few other reliable ways to connect store-bought products to their clinical evidence. Although science still has much to uncover about probiotics, this resource at least provides some of the knowledge we have so far.
