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Author: Peter Bakes, M.D. Educational Pearls Probiotics are living bacteria that are taken as an oral supplement. Most of the data to support their use is in the prevention of antibiotic-related diarrhea and the reduction of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis (UC). Some studies have some a reduction of the incidence of antibiotic-related diarrhea in children of up to 12% with the use of probiotics. There may be a reduction of up to 60% in the incidence of antibiotic-related C. diff infection in adults with probiotic use Studies have shown a 10% or more reduction in the duration and severity of the symptoms of UC with probiotic use. Proposed mechanisms of probiotics include a decrease in gut permeability and a decrease in pathogenic gut bacteria due to resource competition. References: http://www.cochrane.org/CD006095/IBD_use-probiotics-prevent-clostridium-difficile-diarrhea-associated-antibiotic-use