How long should you take probiotics
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Duration of Probiotic Supplementation: Insights from Recent Research
Probiotics for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) Patients
Six-Month Supplementation
A study on Saudi adults with T2DM demonstrated that a six-month regimen of multi-strain probiotics significantly reduced endotoxin levels, glucose, insulin, and various inflammatory markers. The study concluded that six months of probiotic supplementation could be beneficial for improving cardiometabolic profiles and reducing inflammation in T2DM patients.
Probiotics for Colorectal Cancer Survivors
Twelve-Week Supplementation
In colorectal cancer survivors, a twelve-week course of probiotics significantly improved bowel symptoms and quality of life. The study found notable improvements in irritable bowel symptoms, cancer-related quality of life scores, and fatigue-related scores after twelve weeks of probiotic administration.
Probiotics for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
Twenty-Four-Week Supplementation
Older patients with suspected MCI who took probiotics for twenty-four weeks showed improvements in cognitive function and a suppression of brain atrophy progression. The study highlighted that a twenty-four-week period was effective in enhancing certain cognitive functions and preventing further brain atrophy.
Probiotics for Systemic Sclerosis (SSc)
Eight-Week Supplementation
In patients with systemic sclerosis, an eight-week probiotic regimen did not significantly improve gastrointestinal symptoms but did reduce the proportion of Th17 cells, indicating an immunomodulatory effect. This suggests that while short-term benefits on immune parameters are possible, longer durations might be needed for gastrointestinal improvements.
Probiotics for Diabetic Hemodialysis Patients
Twelve-Week Supplementation
Diabetic patients on hemodialysis who took probiotics for twelve weeks experienced significant improvements in glycemic control, lipid concentrations, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. This indicates that a twelve-week period is sufficient to observe metabolic benefits in this patient group.
Probiotics for Parkinson's Disease (PD)
Four-Week and Eight-Week Supplementation
Two studies on Parkinson's disease patients showed that a four-week probiotic regimen significantly increased the number of spontaneous bowel movements and improved stool consistency and quality of life related to constipation. Another study found that an eight-week course of probiotics improved bowel opening frequency and gut transit time, further supporting the efficacy of short-term probiotic use in PD patients.
Probiotics for Infectious Diarrhea
Short-Term Supplementation
Probiotics have been shown to be effective in reducing the duration and severity of acute infectious diarrhea. The studies reviewed indicated that probiotics could reduce the risk of diarrhea at three days and shorten the mean duration of diarrhea by approximately 30 hours, suggesting that even short-term use can be beneficial.
Probiotics for Allergy Prevention in Infants
Six-Month Supplementation
A study on high-risk infants found that six months of probiotic supplementation did not reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis and was associated with increased allergen sensitization. This suggests that while probiotics may not be effective for allergy prevention in infants, the long-term implications of increased sensitization need further investigation.
Conclusion
The duration of probiotic supplementation varies depending on the condition being treated. For metabolic and inflammatory improvements in T2DM and diabetic hemodialysis patients, six to twelve weeks appear effective. Cognitive benefits in MCI patients may require up to twenty-four weeks. Short-term benefits for gastrointestinal symptoms in PD and infectious diarrhea can be observed within four to eight weeks. However, the role of probiotics in allergy prevention in infants remains unclear and may require further long-term studies.
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