Should military dining facilities offer and promote consumption of probiotic-containing foods?

Abstract

Probiotics are defi ned as "live organisms which, when administered in adequate amounts confer a benefi t on the host." The purpose of this review was to determine whether there is evidence-based justifi cation to recommend purchase and promotion of probiotic-containing food in military dining facilities (DFACs). Peer-reviewed literature was searched to identify well-conducted systematic reviews and original research related to the effi cacy of probiotics in preventing and/or treating acute infectious diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, respiratory tract infections, allergic rhinitis, dental health issues, and female urogenital conditions. Probiotics may be useful for preventing and/or treating militaryrelevant health conditions. However, the available scientifi c evidence is not suffi cient to warrant widespread procurement and promotion of probiotic-containing food items in military DFACs. Health care practitioners considering recommending probiotics should understand that health effects and clinical outcomes discussed herein are specifi c to the probiotic strain, dose, and method of delivery studied in the articles cited. Copyright © 2010 Association of Military Surgeons of the US. All rights reserved.