Probiotics & Cancer: Pro or Con?

By now you have probably heard of the term “probiotics.” You may even take probiotics daily – knowingly in the form of capsules, or unknowingly in foods like yogurt or kefir.

But what exactly are they? And should you be taking them?

Many diseases in our gut are the result of an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in our intestines. When bad bacteria grow out of control, normal gut function changes, causing inflammation, producing toxins that change the pH, and interrupting the lining of the intestines, all of which makes us more susceptible to disease.

Probiotics are agents containing live bacteria that are taken by mouth to restore our intestinal health. Although there are potential benefits, some studies suggest that probiotics may present risks for people who have compromised immune systems, including those taking chemotherapy and radiation.

Two concerns include:

• Blood infections from bacteria
• Unexpected behaviors of probiotics may produce potentially harmful substances in the human gut

Despite the risks, many studies suggest that probiotics may be useful in treating Crohn’s and colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and diarrhea from antibiotics. Given this information, it would make sense that probiotics may help diarrhea caused by chemo. However, very few studies have been done with people on chemotherapy – especially with the some of the latest chemo drugs that are known to cause diarrhea.

At this point, more research is needed. And as with any nutrition related topic, there is never a “one size fits all” answer.

So until we know more, what can you do?

• Include yogurt in your diet a few times per week. Choose yogurts low in sugar (such as plain yogurt) with live and active cultures and add your own fruit.
• If you are having diarrhea related to your cancer treatments, talk with your physician and/or dietitian about whether supplemental probiotics may be right for you.
• If you are on cancer treatment and your white blood count remains low, consider avoiding probiotics until your immune system recovers to avoid the small risk of infection.