Experts question efficacy of probiotic supplements

Epidemiologist Gideon Meyerowitz-Katz has raised concerns regarding the efficacy of probiotic supplements, noting that scientific evidence supporting their widespread benefits is weaker than their popularity suggests. He argues that the human gut is an extremely complex system and that introducing a single bacterial strain is an oversimplification, comparing the practice to dropping 10,000 trees into the Amazon rainforest and expecting it to solve all ecological problems.

Meyerowitz-Katz highlighted that many clinical trials in this field are of low quality or suffer from academic integrity issues. He cited several studies, including a 2021 trial that found no difference between probiotics and placebos in preventing the common cold, and a 2020 systematic review of 82 studies involving over 12,000 participants that showed no benefit for preventing infectious diarrhea. He noted that probiotics might only be useful in specific instances, such as treating diarrhea associated with antibiotic use.

Dr. Trisha Pasricha also expressed caution, stating that supplements do not always successfully recolonize the microbiome and may simply pass through the body. Instead of relying on supplements, experts recommend consuming fermented foods like yogurt or kimchi to support gut health.