Can Probiotics Help Calm Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

The source provides an extensive overview of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), detailing its forms (Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis) and its complex relationship with gut microbiota dysbiosis. It thoroughly examines the potential role of probiotics as a therapeutic adjunct for IBD, explaining various mechanisms of action, such as fortifying the gut barrier and immunomodulation. The episode critically analyzes the clinical trial evidence, concluding that specific strains of probiotics offer modest, targeted benefits mainly for Ulcerative Colitis remission and pouchitis prevention, while failing to treat Crohn’s disease. Finally, it addresses the challenges of strain specificity and delivery, positioning probiotics as a safe but limited option compared to emerging next-generation microbiome therapies like Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT).