Probiotics, with special emphasis on their role in the management of irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

Probiotics are live microorganisms, and when administered in adequate amounts, bestow beneficial effects on the host. The therapeutic and preventative application of probiotics in several disorders is receiving increasing attention, and this is especially true when gastrointestinal microbiota is thought to be involved in their pathogenesis, as in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Given the increasingly widespread use of probiotics, a thorough understanding of their risks and benefits is important. The purpose of this review is to update healthcare professionals on current probiotic information, and provide an overview of probiotic treatment approaches, with special emphasis on IBS.