Probiotics May Help Soothe The Stomach
Reviewed By
Rating
Probiotics May Help Soothe The Stomach
Our Review Summary
There’s been a lot of news coverage and a lot of marketing claims about the alleged benefits from products containing probiotics. The study reported on is from the well respected Cochrane organization. A Cochrane review is comprehensive and rigorous, meaning that the conclusions are important and can change medical practice.
But this story included only the perspective of the lead author of the study with no independent perspective. And, in including a claim about possibly soothing stomachs (in the headline) and soothing “fickle bowels” (in the lead), it stepped outside the boundaries of evidence.
Why This Matters
Many claims have been made about probiotics for prevention of gastric upset or for the treatment of bowel conditions. Although this study reported positive outcomes, it is important to recognize that what was observed was benefit in treating acute diarrhea and that does not necessarily extrapolate to other preventive issues related to bowel health. Diarrhea, for which the benefits of probiotics were reviewed, causes substantial sick days and deaths in developing countries.
Criteria
Not Satisfactory
There was no discussion of costs. Because we always think cost is important – even if it doesn’t amount to much – we wish the story had included some cost estimates for probiotics-containing products. Does it add much to the cost of yogurt and other products?
Not Satisfactory
The story was clear that outcome studied was the duration for a bout with acute diarrhea. However by opening the story with mention of possible ability to ‘soothe fickle bowel’, this piece plays into the marketing of benefit from probiotics beyond treating the condition studied. In addition, the story gives only relative risk reduction for the risk of prolonged diarrhea – reduced by 59%. But 59% of what?
Satisfactory
The story mentioned that there were “no negative side effects” in the literature review. So, for that, we’ll give it a satisfactory score. But a broader perspective on this issue could have addressed the potential for harm in hospitalization-associated diarrhea.
Satisfactory
The story is based on a review of the literature published by the Cochrane organization; the story mentioned that the outcomes reported derive from 63 different studies.
It would have been informative to help readers understand a little more about the quality of the evidence that was reviewed.
Satisfactory
The story did not engage in overt disease mongering.
Not Satisfactory
No independent sources were cited in this story – only the lead author of the study.
Not Satisfactory
There was no comparison with other treatments for acute diarrhea. A variety of over the counter medications are available to help improve symptoms, and simple dietary changes (avoiding dairy, for example) can also improve symptoms.
Satisfactory
The story listed several different types of products containing ‘probiotics’, indicating that they may normally be found in some products while others represent supplemented products.
Satisfactory
The story pointed out that this current review follows on the heels of a previous review published in 2004.
Not Applicable
We can’t be sure of the extent to which the story relied on a news release. We do know that only the lead author of the study was quoted.
Total Score: 5 of 9 Satisfactory
Comments
Please note, comments are no longer published through this website. All previously made comments are still archived and available for viewing through select posts.
Our Comments Policy
But before leaving a comment, please review these notes about our policy.
You are responsible for any comments you leave on this site.
This site is primarily a forum for discussion about the quality (or lack thereof) in journalism or other media messages (advertising, marketing, public relations, medical journals, etc.) It is not intended to be a forum for definitive discussions about medicine or science.
We will delete comments that include personal attacks, unfounded allegations, unverified claims, product pitches, profanity or any from anyone who does not list a full name and a functioning email address. We will also end any thread of repetitive comments. We don”t give medical advice so we won”t respond to questions asking for it.
We don”t have sufficient staffing to contact each commenter who left such a message. If you have a question about why your comment was edited or removed, you can email us at feedback@healthnewsreview.org.
There has been a recent burst of attention to troubles with many comments left on science and science news/communication websites. Read “Online science comments: trolls, trash and treasure.”
The authors of the Retraction Watch comments policy urge commenters:
We”re also concerned about anonymous comments. We ask that all commenters leave their full name and provide an actual email address in case we feel we need to contact them. We may delete any comment left by someone who does not leave their name and a legitimate email address.
And, as noted, product pitches of any sort – pushing treatments, tests, products, procedures, physicians, medical centers, books, websites – are likely to be deleted. We don”t accept advertising on this site and are not going to give it away free.
The ability to leave comments expires after a certain period of time. So you may find that you’re unable to leave a comment on an article that is more than a few months old.
You might also like