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Is it safe to take probiotics?

By Shereen Jegtvig, About.com

Updated June 25, 2008

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

Probiotics in capsules.

Probiotics in capsules.

Photo © Stephanie Bretherton
Question: Is it safe to take probiotics?
Answer: Probiotics are nutritional supplements that contain bacteria like lactobacilli that are similar to the normally friendly bacteria that populate the human intestine.

Those friendly bacteria in your gut can get killed off by taking antibiotics and other medications, which can result in digestive problems and diarrhea.

Taking probiotics after undergoing antibiotic therapy is a good way to restore the balance of friendly bacteria. Probiotics may also be very beneficial for people with digestive tract disorders, yeast infections, and systemic candida.

More About Probiotics:

Sources:

Rastalla, R.A., Gibson, G.R., Gill, H.S., Guarner, F., Klaenhammer, T.R., Pot, B., Reid, R., Rowland, I.R., Sanders, M.E. "Modulation of the microbial ecology of the human colon by probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics to enhance human health: An overview of enabling science and potential applications." FEMS Microbiology Ecology, Volume 52, Issue 2, 1 April 2005, Pages 145-152.

Keswani, R.N., Cohen, R.D. "Postoperative Management of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease." Current Gastroenterology Reports 2005, 7:492-499.

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