Probiotics, often referred to as “good” bacteria, are live microorganisms that can offer health benefits when consumed in sufficient amounts. These beneficial bacteria and yeasts are naturally present in the human gut, forming a complex community known as the gut microbiome. The potential for probiotics to support health, particularly for individuals navigating cancer treatment, is an area of active discussion and research. This topic requires careful consideration due to the unique health status of cancer patients.
What Probiotics Are and How They Work
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that offer health benefits. These microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, are found in fermented foods like yogurt and kefir, and are also available as dietary supplements. The human gut contains trillions of these microbes, collectively known as the gut microbiome, which plays an important role in overall health.
Probiotics work by helping to maintain a healthy balance within this gut microbiome. They can compete with less beneficial microorganisms, produce beneficial compounds, and interact with the immune system. This balance is important for nutrient absorption and maintaining the integrity of the gut lining.
Potential Benefits for Cancer Patients
Probiotics may offer supportive benefits for cancer patients by helping to manage treatment-related side effects. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can disrupt the gut microbiome, leading to gastrointestinal issues. Probiotics have shown promise in reducing diarrhea, a common side effect of cancer treatments, and may also help alleviate other gastrointestinal complaints like abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea.
Beyond digestive support, probiotics could assist in maintaining the gut barrier, which can become compromised during cancer treatment. A healthy gut barrier is important for preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream. Some research suggests probiotics might also support general immune function, which is often suppressed in cancer patients, potentially contributing to overall well-being and improved nutrient absorption.
Important Safety Considerations
Significant safety considerations exist for cancer patients considering probiotics. The primary concern is the immunocompromised state many cancer patients experience due to their disease or treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and stem cell transplants. In these individuals, live bacteria from probiotics could lead to serious infections, including bloodstream infections (bacteremia). This risk is heightened in a weakened immune system.
Specific medical conditions and treatments further increase these risks. Patients with central venous catheters (CVCs) are at a higher risk of probiotic-associated bloodstream infections. Powder formulations of probiotics might pose a greater risk for CVC infections than other forms. Short bowel syndrome can also increase the risk of bacterial translocation, where bacteria move from the gut into other areas of the body.
Probiotic supplements are regulated as dietary supplements, not drugs, meaning their quality and contents can vary significantly, and they are not subject to the same rigorous testing as medications. Furthermore, there is a lack of comprehensive data on potential interactions between probiotics and specific cancer medications, including chemotherapy or immunotherapy, which could alter treatment effectiveness or increase toxicity. Some research even indicates that certain probiotic bacteria might promote tumor growth in specific cancers.
Navigating Probiotic Use During Cancer Treatment
Any decision to use probiotics during cancer treatment must involve close consultation with the oncology team for a personalized risk assessment. Patients should openly discuss all dietary supplements, including probiotics, with their doctors, considering their specific cancer type, stage, current treatment plan, and overall health status.
When discussing probiotics, patients should provide specific details about the product, including the strains, dosage, and formulation. This information is vital as it helps the healthcare team evaluate potential risks and benefits. If a probiotic is approved for use, patients should monitor for any new symptoms or side effects and report them promptly to their medical team.
For some patients, dietary sources of probiotics, such as fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, might be a safer alternative to supplements. However, even these should be discussed with a healthcare provider.