Probiotics: “conbiotics” or medicine of the 21st century?

Abstract

Probiotics are the subject of continued and intense investigation. Recommendations in the lay media for the use of probiotics are multiple and, more often than not, not evidence based. For many years, the advantages of probiotics such as bifidobacteria and Lactobasillus acidophilus have been stated on the labels of fermented dairy products. This was, however, more anecdotal than based on sound research. The fact that, in 2010, more than 28% of the 5 466 publications on this topic on Pubmed were reviews, supports the opinion that insufficient original research is being conducted.¹