As I stood at the pharmacy counter waiting for my prescription, I couldn’t help but notice the prominent display of probiotics. It was two years ago when I was immersed in research about microbiomes and probiotics for my upcoming book, The Microbiome: What Everyone Needs to Know. Having focused on probiotics for days, seeing them there piqued my curiosity.
The packaging was glossy, and the claims were enticing: “Supporting gut health,” “Friendly bacteria.” As I was about to collect antibiotics for my tonsillitis, I considered whether probiotics could help restore the beneficial gut bacteria that antibiotics might deplete.
The pharmacist, who knew me as a local GP, nodded encouragingly towards the display. “These are very popular,” he remarked. I examined the box: thirty capsules, each with 5 billion live cultures. As I compared them with others, I noticed a range from 2 billion to 25 billion bacteria per capsule. Such a wide dosage range made me wonder about their safety.
Descriptions of live cultures were vague, often labeled as “trusted” or “friendly,” with higher-dose brands calling themselves “diverse” or “powerful,” more akin to corporate jargon than health supplements.
Probiotics were said to “complement your natural gut bacteria” or “complement your everyday life.” While waiting for my prescription, I read the fine print. Brands boasted of their research with terms like “most researched live culture” and “highly researched strains,” though claims of efficacy were notably absent.
Ingredient lists revealed combinations of up to 15 bacteria types, commonly including lactobacilli and bifidobactera. Lactobacillus acidophilus is used in yogurt production, and Bifidobacteria are common in the food industry. These are typical gut residents, making up about 12% of our gut bacteria.
Why, then, do all probiotic products feature the same species with such vague claims? Nearly one in 20 adults take probiotics, often those with higher education, income, and better diets. Would more knowledge about microbes change our perspective on taking them?
We naturally consume many bacteria through food—around 1.3 billion bacteria daily. Most are killed by stomach acid, with few reaching the colon, and surviving probiotics generally remain only a few days. A 25-billion-bacteria capsule introduces a massive load, which might cause infections if they enter the bloodstream, especially in those with weak immune systems.
Probiotic brands focus on safe, pre-1958 food industry bacteria to avoid further research. With a “Generally Recognized As Safe” designation, manufacturers need not prove efficacy, relying on vague health claims.
allowfullscreen=”allowfullscreen” frameborder=”0″>Despite lacking efficacy claims, the probiotic industry effectively markets its products. Handling the box, I felt compelled to buy, believing it was beneficial. However, when asked by the pharmacist, I hesitated. At £17.99 for 30 capsules, I opted for the £9.90 antibiotic prescription instead.
Related: Probiotics vs Prebiotics: What’s The Difference And Do You Need Both?
Do probiotics work? I often equivocate when asked, as many are committed to the idea and already use them. I usually respond, “Well, they probably haven’t done you any harm,” except for the financial cost.
Berenice Langdon, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant, St George’s, University of London
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
