Alterations to the gut microbiome may increase the risk or accelerate the development of many widespread and dreadful conditions
developing ,” Dr Chang said .
Other animal studies have shown that alterations to the gut microbiome may increase the risk or accelerate the development of many widespread and dreadful conditions including fatty liver disease , diabetes , cancer , and Alzheimer ’ s .
Such observations are what has lent credence to the theory that adding more good bacteria to the mix we already have in the gut is a way to support the positive function of the microbiome , and , to a certain extent , that ’ s backed up by some promising studies , but with some caveats .
Benefits of microbiome medicine may be limited A review of 45 studies on probiotic supplementation in healthy adults concluded that live bacteria in either yoghurt , capsules , or drinks may reduce abdominal discomfort from irregular bowel movements and constipation , as well as top up good bacteria in the vaginal area in a way that may help prevent urinary tract infection . According to the reviewers , some evidence also suggests that probiotic supplementation can support the immune system , thus leading to a reduction in the incidence , duration , and severity of the common cold .
But these beneficial effects are short-lived , meaning you need to keep taking probiotic supplements on a permanent basis to sustain them .
“ You may be able to get longer-lasting changes by ‘ feeding the healthy bacteria ’. Like all living organisms , bacteria need food to survive . Foods that are high in dietary fibre , such as fruit and vegetables , can be used as energy sources ( or so called “ prebiotics ”) for these bacteria ,” the authors wrote in The Conversation , adding that taking probiotics may make sense for people who have a bad diet and do little exercise .
“ But if you are otherwise healthy , probiotic supplements are likely to be a waste of money . Here ’ s some simple advice : take what you spend on probiotic supplements , and use it to buy and eat more fruit and vegetables ,” they wrote .
In other studies , probiotics have also shown to be useful against antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and antibiotic-associated diarrhoea caused by C . diff ., but a strong link couldn ’ t be established and it ’ s unclear which probiotics are effective and which are not and what the recommended doses should be .
In another promising microbiome-based treatment , C . diff . infection can sometimes be treated with fecal transplantation , a procedure involving the insertion of healthy bacteria from a donor ’ s faeces into the patient ’ s gut microbiome through the anus or nose . “ Faecal microbial transplant is in some cases a frontline therapy for these patients because we are basically transplanting somebody else ’ s healthy
GlobalHealthAsiaPacific . com ISSUE 5 | 2022
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