Probiotics for Preventing and Treating Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Current Evidence
Zhong C, Qu C, Wang B, Liang S
Published in Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
Methodology
Systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of 22 studies (18 pooled) assessing probiotics for prevention and treatment of SIBO, measuring SIBO incidence, decontamination rate, breath hydrogen and symptoms.
Key Findings
Probiotics significantly improved SIBO decontamination (pooled rate 62.8%) and reduced breath hydrogen and abdominal pain, but did not significantly prevent SIBO incidence (RR 0.54, 95% CI 0.19-1.52).
Conclusions
Probiotics may help decontaminate and reduce symptoms in existing SIBO but do not clearly prevent it.
Limitations
Heterogeneous strains, doses and diagnostic breath tests; several abstracts only.
Supplements Studied
The probiotics group showed a significantly higher SIBO decontamination rate than the
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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Disclosures
Funding
Not reported
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.