An analysis of online messages about probiotics

BMC Gastroenterology

Table 5 Specific benefits and risks of probiotics described on 71 Internet websites*

Benefits	Risks
Allergies	GI (minor, e.g. wind, bloating)
Candida	Safety Issues for Children
Cholesterol Levels	Safety Issues for Immunocompromised
Colitis	Safety Issues for Pregnant
Diarrhea-other	Safety Issues for those with Underlying Health Issues
Eczema
GI (minor, e.g. wind, bloating) ^†
H-Pylori
Hypertension
Improves Immune Function ^†
Improves Immune Absorption
Infections
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Oral Health
Prevent Cancer
Prevent Lactose Intolerance ^†
Reduces Antibiotic-Related Diarrhea
Reduces Inflammation
Reduces Toxins
Respiratory Disease-other
Rotavirus Diarrhea
Skin Conditions-other
Traveler’s Diarrhea
Urinary Tract Infection
Vaginal Health
Vitamins
Weight Management

* These benefits and risks were cited by at least 10% of the 71 Internet websites examined. An additional 49 benefits and 22 risks were cited on these websites but not on at least 10% of the total sample and are not listed above.
† The benefits listed in bold appeared on more than 50% of the 71 Internet websites examined. No risks were described on more than 50% of the websites.

ISSN: 1471-230X