Probiotics are essentially a kind of bacteria. People think it is good for the gastrointestinal tract, because our bodies are full of bacteria that help digest food. They protect us from toxins and keep our intestines healthy. In the past 20 years, scientists have understood the importance of these microorganisms to human health and survival, so probiotic supplements have begun to sell well in stores, and merchants claim that they "help relieve indigestion". Early probiotic drugs were mainly composed of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, which were often used in fermented food and also existed in yogurt and kimchi. However, the researchers said that the effectiveness of probiotics has not undergone rigorous clinical trials, and the Food and Drug Administration has never given official certification.
The combination of misleading marketing and media hype also makes people abuse probiotics. "Some patients have ulcerative colitis, and we have corresponding treatment drugs (knowing the mode and effect), but patients will say,' I really don't want to take medicine, I'd rather take probiotics'." Even if we tell patients that probiotics have never passed clinical trials, they want to take these drugs with a try. After all, probiotic drugs are easy to buy and take, and it is much easier than going to the doctor to talk about your gastrointestinal troubles.
Researchers say probiotics are still useful today. But more importantly, consumers need to know the root causes of gastrointestinal diseases. Indeed, many gastrointestinal experts recommend taking probiotic drugs-but it depends on the patient's condition. Almost all recommended probiotics have passed clinical trials, and their effectiveness has been proved. For those who have diarrhea due to the use of antibiotics, several kinds of lactobacillus and Brucella can limit the duration or intensity of symptoms; The researchers also recommend probiotic cultures containing lactobacillus strains, because it can relieve gastrointestinal symptoms caused by bacterial and viral infections and shorten the duration of the disease. However, probiotics can't do anything about other complicated inflammations such as ulcerative colitis.
Researchers are trying to determine the benefits of probiotics to human beings. All bacteria (including probiotics) secrete metabolites-small molecules that perform specific tasks in the intestine. Some of these metabolites contribute to food decomposition and keep the intestines healthy. If researchers can figure out how to isolate these metabolites, then they can create drugs containing only the most useful molecules. However, probiotics themselves may also be necessary. They are excellent carriers for transporting metabolites to the right place.
If your digestive system is in good condition, then you don't need to take probiotic drugs, and you can even take them carefully. If taking probiotic supplements for a month in a row can't bring a healthy experience, then don't waste hard-earned money on these little creatures.
This article comes from: Technology Life Weekly.