Wednesday, August 29, 2007

How Do Probiotics Help With Acid Reflux?

Many people who are lactose intolerant are being treated by the ingestion of probiotics to introduce beneficial yeast and bacteria into the digestive tract. A connection between probiotics and acid reflux relief is thought to be exist for people suffering from helicobacter pylori infection, a known cause of acid reflux. However, there remains dispute that a connection between probiotics and acid reflux relief when it is caused by other issues.

There have been patients using probiotics following a bout of food poisoning or other stomach disorder claim that the symptoms of acid reflux disappeared. The link between probiotics and acid reflux is not confirmed by any medical studies, but research has shown that probiotics are very effective in treating indigestion. Lactic acid bacteria is one of the most common in use and has been utilized in the food industry for years for added shelf life and making it less likely that spoilage-causing bacteria can survive in the food product.

Doctors, and more recently nutritionists, have used probiotics to rebalance the natural bacteria in the event of alcohol poisoning, stress, disease or other substances that may kill the healthy bacteria produced naturally by the body. By getting the digestive system back on track using probiotics, acid reflux seems to be minimized.

Probiotics Acid Reflux Debate Continues To Rage:


As more studies are conducted on the effects of probiotics on intestinal disorders, there are more indications that suggest the connection between probiotics and acid reflux reduction. When a person is taking antibiotics, for example, the drugs cannot distinguish between good and bad bacteria, which can result in stomach disorders such as gas and diarrhea. By replacing the good bacteria through the use of probiotics, these symptoms disappear. It also argued that gas and diarrhea can also lead to indigestion, further supporting the argument linking probiotics and acid reflux relief.

However, studies will continue to see if different types of bacteria used as probiotics can have a positive effect on acid reflux sufferers. Until solid evidence is presented it is being presumed that probiotics and acid reflux relief is an individual benefit.

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