#30 Probiotics with Dr Johan Van Den Bogaerde Gastroenterologist

Surrounded by the familiar beeps and glow of the hospital surgical theatres I had a thoroughly enjoyable chat with scrubs-donned Dr Johan Van Den Bogaerde Gastroenterologist and researcher.  We discuss probiotics and the various relevant themes around them.     Topics we discuss include: - What are probiotics and some important principles - How do they work? - Evidence for different conditions - IBD, IBS, diarrhoeal disorders, helicobacter pylori, atopic eczema and others - Research bias  - Working with real people who are suffering but that don't fit the guidelines = the clinicians dilemma   Summary of the POSSIBLE uses: IBD Ulcerative Colitis and Pouchitis - VSL3, E. coli nissle and saccharomyces boulardi may help for remission.  No clear evidence for chron's disease IBS - VSL3, bifido infantis - mixed studies, some positive and some only as good as placebo (~50% reduction in pain) Diarrhoeal disorders (antibiotics associated, childrens diarrhoea, c.dif and preventing travellors diarrhoea) = Lacto. rhamnosus, saccharomyces boulardii and Lacto. reuteri may be of assistance e.g. reduce duration of infectious diarrhoea by