Fact and Fiction: What Science Says About Probiotics and Ulcerative Colitis
How much do you really know about probiotics? We’re not talking about the whispers you’ve heard here and there. We’re talking about the truth. We’re talking about research. We’re talking about reality. What are probiotics good for? How do they work? And when it comes to ulcerative colitis, are they miracle workers…or are they just another trend? Today, you can forget about the rumor mill. Set aside the myths you’ve heard about what probiotics are proven to do—and what they’re not—and get a grip on the cold, hard facts. Keep reading for the scoop on what scientists have found out so far about probiotics and ulcerative colitis.
Rumor #1: Probiotics Are a Cure-All
Nothing is a cure-all! Research suggests that probiotics have the potential to rebalance the ratio of “good” bacteria to “bad” bacteria in your small intestine. Theoretically, they can make a positive impact on a lot of different symptoms and conditions that go far beyond the digestive system. However, there is no solid evidence that probiotics have the power to cure anything by themselves. Instead of thinking of probiotics as a solution in and of themselves, we like to think of them as part of a defensive line. They are one piece in a puzzle that the scientific community doesn’t fully understand right now. As more research is done, we learn more about how probiotics fit in and what their potential is as an aid to improving digestive health and overall wellness.
Rumor #2: Probiotics Work All Over the Body
There are some medications and alternative therapies that are absorbed into the bloodstream and travel throughout your body, treating your problems locally from head to toe. Probiotics and other digestive supplements don’t work that way. Probiotic supplements work primarily in the intestines. No matter the delivery method, they are released and proliferate inthe gut. The “good” bacteria they contain help your body regain control over “bad” bacterial overgrowth in the intestines. A bacterial imbalance can cause everything from diarrhea to acne breakouts to a foggy brain. Given this, it makes sense that ulcerative colitis’ (UC) impact can also be felt far beyond the GI tract. Some research also suggests that UC might be caused by a bacterial imbalance in the large intestine, which is where ulcerative colitis is active. However, scientists haven’t proved that correcting that imbalance cures the disease. Still, anecdotal reports say that in some cases restoring the ratio between “good” bacteria and “bad” bacteria helps alleviate some of the non-gastrointestinal symptoms of UC, too. A probiotic supplement’s potential to help fix those problems is how its impact can be seen universally. Research has shown that digestive health impacts all your body’s various systems. Given the evidence that probiotics improve digestive health, it’s fair to say that they also offer whole-body benefits.
Rumor #3: Probiotics Can Put Ulcerative Colitis in Remission
When it comes to ulcerative colitis, scientists still have a lot of work to do. We don’t even know what causes inflammatory bowel diseases, and that makes coming up with a cure difficult. While there are medications that treat the symptoms of UC and other IBDs, there isn’t one path toward remission, nor is there a cure. That includes probiotics. Studies also haven’t directly tied ulcerative colitis remission to probiotic use. In fact, ulcerative colitis remission hasn’t been definitively linked to any treatment, whether it’s pharmacological or alternative. What we do know is that for some people, some therapies work, while other strategies work for other patients. Probiotics are solidly in that mix. There is so much we have yet to learn about digestive health. Here at Specialty Enzymes, we’re all about backing our top-quality digestion supplements with science. We’re thrilled to see scores of studies currently investigating the value of probiotics in treating a variety of symptoms and illnesses, including ulcerative colitis and other inflammatory bowel diseases. Check back soon for more updates from the scientific community for the truth about how probiotic supplements can help heal your body and maintain your overall health.
