Evidence supporting the use of: Probiotics
For the health condition: Infection (bacterial)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Probiotics have been studied for their potential to prevent and treat certain bacterial infections, particularly those affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The scientific rationale is that probiotics—live microorganisms, most commonly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species—can help restore the normal microbial balance of the gut, outcompeting pathogenic bacteria and modulating immune responses. There is moderate evidence supporting the use of probiotics in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and, to a lesser extent, in reducing the risk of Clostridioides difficile infection, especially in hospitalized or antibiotic-treated patients. Some studies have also shown benefits in reducing the duration and severity of infectious diarrhea, particularly in children. However, for most other bacterial infections outside the gut, the evidence for probiotics is limited or inconclusive. Clinical guidelines from organizations like the World Gastroenterology Organisation and the American Gastroenterological Association recognize specific strains of probiotics as beneficial for certain gastrointestinal infections, but not as a broad-spectrum treatment for bacterial infections in general. While generally considered safe in healthy populations, caution is advised in immunocompromised individuals. In summary, the use of probiotics for bacterial infection is supported by moderate scientific evidence for specific gastrointestinal conditions, but not as a general antibacterial therapy.
Other ingredients used for Infection (bacterial)
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I2'-Fucosyllactose
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Abies spectabilis
Abrus
Abuta
Acacia
Acemannan
Achyranthes
Agarikon Mushroom
Agastache
Agave
Ajoene
Alantolactone
Alchornea
Alcohol
Allicin
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Allspice
Allyl isothiocyanate
Allyl sulfide
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
Alstonia scholaris
Amor seco
anamu
Andrographis
andrographolide
annatto
apple cider vinegar
Asam gelugor
Asarum heterotropoides
aucubin
avens
babchi
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bacillus
bacillus clausii
Bacillus licheniformis
bacillus subtilis
Backhousia citriodora
bacteria
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
Basidiomycota
Bassia scoparia
Bauhinia
bayberry
bearberry
bee propolis
Belamcanda
bentonite
benzyl isothiocyanate
berberine
Berberis (unspecified)
Bergenia
beta-glucan
betel
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
black nightshade
black pepper
black walnut
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Brazilian peppertree
Brevibacillus brevis
burdock
Caesalpinia crista
cajuput
calamus
Campsiandra angustifolia
caprylic acid
carvacrol
cassia bark
cat's claw
Ceanothus integerrimus
celandine
Celosia
Centipeda
Chaenomeles lagenaria
Chiococca alba
chirata
cinquefoil
Cistus
Clerodendrum trichotomum
cocklebur
coconut oil
Coin-leaf desmodium
Combretum quadrangulare
copaiba oil
Coptis chinensis
coriolus mushroom
cosmos
curcumin
cuspidatum root
Cymbidium goeringii
Cynodon dactylon
dehydroabietic acid
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
dialyzable leukocyte extract
Dichrostachys glomerata
divi-divi
Echinacea
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
elemi
elephant\'s head
Embelia
eucalyptus
eugenol
Euphorbia
fang-feng
Ficus religiosa
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fomes fomentarius
fucoidan
galangin
Gallesia
geraniol
geranium
ginger
Globulins
glyceryl caprylate caprate
glyceryl monolaurate
golden shower tree
goldenseal
Graviola
Guazuma ulmifolia
heartwood
Horsemint
Houttuynia
Humic acid
Hydrocolloid
Hygrophila
immunoglobin G
Immunoglobulin G
Indian coraltree
iodine
Isoalantolactone
isothiocyanates
Kachnar
Kefiran
Kigelia africana
knotgrass
Kochia
L. lactis
Labdanum
lactic acid
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus crispatus
Lactobacillus gasseri
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactococcus casei
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoferrin
Lactoperoxidase
Lantana camara
Lapachol
lauric acid
Lauric arginate
Leptadenia
Leptospermum scoparium
lichen
licorice root
lime
liverwort
Lophira lanceolata
Lysimachia
lysozyme
Macaranga indica
Mahonia
Malva sylvestris
mangostanol
mangosteen
mangostin
mannose
manzanita
Marsh Tea
Matapalo Tree
Methenamine
Mezoneuron benthamianum
Microtea debilis
Milkweed
Mondo grass
Monolaurin
Moringa
Mountain horopito
Myrobalan
Myrrh
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Naphthoquinones
Nasturtium
Nisin
Oldenlandia diffusa
oriental arborvitae
Orris
Osha
Paenibacillus polymyxa
Pareira
pau d'arco
Pediococcus acidilactici
Pentatropis capensis
Pepper Bark Tree
Peroxidase
Phellodendron
phlorotannins
Phragmites
Piper retrofractum
pistacia integerrima gall
Plectranthus amboinicus
Pluchea
Plumbago zeylanica
Premna
probiotics
purified silver
purple Tephrosia
Quebracho
Quisqualis
red root
Rosa laevigata
Rubia cordifolia
Rubia yunnanensis
Saccharomyces boulardii
Sanguisorba
Sarcandra glabra
sarsaparilla
Savory
schizonepeta
sea salt
Self-Heal
Sesquiterpenic Acid
shiitake mushroom
Shikonin
Simaruba
Siphoviridae
Smoketree
Spanish Needle
Spilanthes
Stemona
Storax
Streptococcus salivarius
streptococcus thermophilus
Streptomyces
Streptomyces cellulosae
Streptomyces fradiae
Streptomyces griseoflavus
Sulfated polysaccharide
Swertia
Sword Bean
Tannins
Teri Pod
Terpinen-4-ol
Thiosulfinate
Thuja
Thymol
Trametes
turmeric
Umckalin
Umckaloabo
Verbascoside
vitamin C
vitamin D
Waltheria ovata
Wasabi
White oak
Xanthorrhizol
Yellow root
Zinc
Zingerone
Other health conditions supported by probiotics
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Antibiotics (side effects of)
Anxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Appetite (deficient)
Autism
Bladder Infection
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Colitis
Constipation (adults)
Constipation (children)
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Diverticulitis
Eczema
Endurance (lack of)
Enteritis
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gas and Bloating
Gastritis
Giardia
Gingivitis
Indigestion
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Lactose Intolerance
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Mastitis
