Probiotics: What They Are & Who Needs Them

On Health with Houston Methodist

There’s no denying probiotics are big business — and it’s not just the dietary supplement industry, valued at $12 billion. Other sectors are getting into the game too, claiming their skincare, household cleaners and mattresses contain probiotics. Why? Probiotics are alleged to provide gastrointestinal, mental, heart, vaginal and bone and joint health benefits as well as help manage weight and blood glucose levels. Is all that really possible? For what conditions do they work? And with probiotics seemingly everywhere now, how can you choose the right one? In this episode, we share how you can evaluate probiotic claims to find a product for your desired benefit.
Expert: Dr. Eamonn Quigley, Gastroenterologist
Interviewer: Kim Rivera Huston-Weber
Notable topics covered:

• What are probiotics, and what do they do?
• The different types of probiotics and their science-backed health benefits
• Are probiotics used to treat any conditions?
• Who benefits from taking a probiotic? When should you take them?
• Where probiotics are “naturally” found outside of supplements
• Is it better to get probiotics from a dietary source versus a supplement?
• Probiotic sodas & processed foods: Are they worth the sticker shock?
• Do you really need to take probiotics during or after a course of antibiotics?
• What are prebiotics, and how do they differ from probiotics?
• The risks of taking probiotics
• How to choose an effective probiotic amid the dubious claims

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