Targeting gut flora to treat and prevent disease
There’s evidence to suggest that probiotics, prebiotics, and a high-fiber diet can help manage various illnesses. Here’s how to translate gut flora research into practice.
What to tell patients about gut flora and health
There is increasing evidence that the gut microbiome and the genes contained therein have an impact on an individual’s health. (See TABLE 2 for additional resources.) The best preventive advice for patients and their families is to eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. This measure has well proven benefits beyond its potential effects on gut flora.
Correcting dysbiosis with diet or probiotics may play a role in treating chronic conditions; however, in many cases, further research is required to elucidate specific recommendations. In the meantime, given the safety profile of probiotics and dietary fiber, it is reasonable to consider using these interventions, particularly probiotics for treating IBS, ulcerative colitis, and acute infectious diarrhea; probiotics for preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and traveler’s diarrhea; and prebiotics for preventing eczema in high-risk infants.
CORRESPONDENCE
Jill Schneiderhan, MD, Family Medicine at Domino’s Farms, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr., Lobby H, Suite 2300, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; jillsch@umich.edu.
