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Probiotics Come with Bold Health Claims, but the Science is Shaky

posted by martyb on Wednesday January 27 2016, @03:36PM   
from the avoid-the-amateur-biotics dept.

AndyTheAbsurd writes:

The "good bacteria," or probiotics, that fill the pomegranate drink are everywhere these days, in pills and powders marketed as super supplements. Probiotics are said to improve digestive and immune health. They're touted as potential treatments for conditions ranging from inflammatory bowel disease to eczema to tooth decay. Some marketing campaigns even hint that they can prevent the flu.

Scientific evidence, however, does not necessarily support those claims.

Studies in rodents and small groups of humans point to possible health benefits of consuming probiotics. But there have been only a few large human trials — in large part because Food and Drug Administration rules have dissuaded food companies and federally funded researchers from conducting the types of studies that could confirm, or refute, the proposed benefits of consuming "good" microbes.

http://www.statnews.com/2016/01/21/probiotics-shaky-science/

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Original Submission

• Re:Bold Health Claims are the norm Re:Bold Health Claims are the norm (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 28 2016, @04:12AM

  by Anonymous Coward on Thursday January 28 2016, @04:12AM (#295763)

  It's not well reasoned advice. Do you have any idea what doctors tell people to do in terms of their health? A lot of the advice is solid, but there's a ton of it that's based upon questionable research and subject to change. It wasn't that long ago that doctors were recommending low fat diets even though there's never been any real evidence that it was healthy for typical people.

  I think you need to look at the information coming your way with a more critical eye. A distinction needs to be made between, on the one hand, the recommendations of organizations such as the AMA and, on the other hand, the latest controversial research finding blasted across the news wires. Also, you should take the advice of, for example, the AMA more seriously than the advice of some celebrity like Dr Oz. Not all of these sources of information are equally credible. It is up to you to apply some filters to that information. While it is true that the recommendations of the medical community have sometimes changed, they have usually been rather steady in their recommendations on what we need to do to maintain our health.

  Now they're recommending extremely low salt intake that leaves people vulnerable to the health consequences of running low. The maximum level recommended is the minimum level that humans generally need for proper health.

  Do you actually have some credible sources for this claim? I am genuinely curious (and sceptical).

  Parent

• Re:Bold Health Claims are the norm (Score: 1) by Francis on Friday January 29 2016, @06:42AM

  by Francis (5544) on Friday January 29 2016, @06:42AM (#296268)

  http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/20140402/cdc-salt-guidelines-too-low-for-good-health-study-suggests [webmd.com]

  Bottom line here is that unless you've got high blood pressure there's little reason to reduce your sodium intake and in many cases you'd be better served to just increase your potassium intake. The levels recommended by doctors are low enough that you've got little margin for error during a heat wave as you'll rapidly go through your sodium sweating. For most people, they'll consume an appropriate amount of salt. I'll actually drink saltwater during the summer because I don't generally desire to eat salty foods and wind up running low. Generally within a couple minutes of drinking saltwater I'll perk up and feel much better.

  Parent