Use of probiotics in humans: An analysis of the literature

The results of the authors' analysis are summarized in Table 10. It appears that probiotics are effective in helping shorten the course of adult and childhood diarrhea, in preventing and treating antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and in effecting immunomodulation and treating pouchitis. There is less evidence, but some exists that is convincing to suggest that they may be helpful for treating radiation diarrhea, vaginosis, ulcerative colitis, and IBS. There are numerous papers and studies, but there is not enough evidence in such conditions as H pylori, Crohn's disease, cardiovascular risk factors, lactose intolerance, and constipation to conclude that probiotics are definitely helpful for these clinical conditions. The use of probiotics has become important, and with more controlled and larger studies, one can expect that they will prove to be effective for treating many diseases.