Diarrhea is a common ailment that affects millions of people worldwide, causing discomfort and disruption to daily life. While over-the-counter medications provide temporary relief, more and more individuals are turning to natural remedies for long-term solutions. Enter probiotics, the friendly bacteria that reside in our gut and offer a myriad of health benefits.
What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a prevalent issue characterized by loose, watery, and potentially more frequent bowel movements. It can occur independently or may be accompanied by additional symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or unintended weight loss.
How can probiotics help?
Probiotics are living microorganisms, primarily bacteria, that provide numerous health advantages when consumed in adequate amounts. Within the gut, they help maintain a delicate equilibrium of bacteria, preventing the overgrowth of harmful microbes and supporting a healthy digestive system. Probiotics work in several ways to combat diarrhea.
Though the specific mechanism of how probiotics can help with diarrhea is undefined yet, likely there are multiple pathways, but some known benefits are as follows: probiotics are likely to suppress germs that cause diarrhea in the first place and also help the body to fight them.
The utilization of probiotics is on the rise for preventing and treating diarrhea. In a meta-analysis that reviews the impact of probiotics and acute gastroenteritis, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).
For acute gastroenteritis, 5 of the results recommended probiotics as a remedy. As for antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), 4 meta-analyses highly recommended probiotics, but the strain will be dependent on the patient’s age and antibiotics. The most effective strains that are recommended are Lactobacillus GG, Lactobacillus reuteri, and Saccharomyces boulardii.
Clinical trials have also indicated promising outcomes of probiotic therapy in both preventing and treating various types of diarrhea. These include antibiotic-associated diarrhea, acute diarrhea (including rotavirus-induced diarrhea and traveler's diarrhea), as well as diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. The potential mechanisms of therapeutic action involve safeguarding the integrity of intestinal epithelial cells and their barrier function, hindering the binding of enterotoxins to these cells, and effectively regulating the intestinal microbial environment.
When first starting a probiotic supplement, some people may experience initial digestive discomfort. This can include symptoms like bloating, gas, diarrhea, or stomach cramps. This is often temporary and a sign that the probiotics are working to rebalance the gut microbiota. Over time, these symptoms usually subside as your body adjusts.
R’s KOSO is a great source of probiotics, prebiotics, and, postbiotics, which have proven to improve gut health and boost immunity. Incorporating R's KOSO to your diet is a great way to reset your digestive system and restore microbiome health. Add it to your next travel packing list to prevent traveler diarrhea.
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Reference:
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3. Yan, F., & Polk, D. B. (2006). Probiotics as a functional food in the treatment of diarrhea. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, 9(6), 717–721. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.mco.0000247477.02650.51
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6. Probiotics for infectious diarrhea and traveler’s diarrhea - what do we really know? (n.d.). SpringerReference. https://doi.org/10.1007/springerreference_75541