Probiotics: are they beneficial?

Intern Med J. 2024 Jun;54(6):861-870. doi: 10.1111/imj.16388. Epub 2024 May 8.

Abstract

There are wide-ranging probiotic choices in Australasia. We reviewed the efficacy of probiotics for the management of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions in adults and assessed relevance to clinical practice. The benefits of probiotics were inconsistent, with a strong consensus reached for only a few of the indications. As different species/strains and combinations differ in efficacy, results cannot be extrapolated from one to another. This review endorses specific probiotics for limited indications. Efficacy of most marketed probiotic formulations remains unstudied and unproven, warranting further research.

Keywords: gastrointestinal diseases; microbiota; probiotics.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Gastrointestinal Diseases* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Probiotics* / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome