Condition
Acute Gastroenteritis
Acute gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually from a virus or bacteria, causing diarrhea and vomiting that mostly pass within days. Probiotics, including Saccharomyces boulardii, have the strongest support, and trials found diarrhea symptoms improved, with one in hospitalized children finding a Lactobacillus acidophilus mixture shortened and eased diarrhea. The studies were modest in size and mostly in children, so the evidence is moderate.
Sources: PMID 40535538; PMID 26581358
- Supplements studied
- 5
- Graded outcomes
- 4
- People studied
- 22,091
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea Symptoms Moderate Improvement | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 4 studies | 1,125 people | ||
Studies that measured diarrhea symptoms
| ||||||
| Fever | Improves (the measure goes up) | 134 people | ||||
| Vomiting | Improves (the measure goes down) | 980 people | ||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acute Diarrhea Symptoms Multiple human trials support L. acidophilus for treatment of acute diarrhea. An RCT in children hospitalized with acute diarrhea found that an L. acidophilus mixture reduced symptom duration and severity. The overall evidence for diarrhea treatment is described as reasonably good across multiple clinical studies. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Moderate effect | 2 studies | 400 people | ||
Isoleucine
- Diarrhea Severity (Pediatric Acute): improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea Severity (Pediatric Acute) A single double-blind RCT in 50 children (aged 6-36 months) with acute watery diarrhea found that L-isoleucine (2 g/L) added to oral rehydration salts significantly reduced stool output on day 3 (p=0.035) and ORS intake on day 1 (p=0.04), though cumulative stool reduction (26%) and diarrhea duration did not reach statistical significance (Alam et al. 2011). | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect | 3 studies | 50 people | ||
Studies that measured diarrhea severity (pediatric acute)
| ||||||
Paederia foetida
- Diarrhea Symptoms: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea Symptoms Paederia foetida has longstanding traditional Ayurvedic use for diarrhea and dysentery, but published scientific studies confirming anti-diarrheal efficacy appear extremely limited or absent. | Improves (the measure goes down) | Small effect |
Lactobacillus reuteri
- Diarrhea Symptoms: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 4 studies | 433 people | |||
Studies that measured diarrhea symptoms
| ||||||
Key findings
- Diarrhea SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
- Acute Diarrhea SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)
- Diarrhea Severity (Pediatric Acute)Improves (the measure goes down)
The Acute Gastroenteritis Support protocol
2 primary supplements · 6 supporting supplements
- Lactobacillus reuteri10^8–10^10 CFU daily during illness
- Probiotics (Multi-Strain)10–50 billion CFU daily; Saccharomyces boulardii 250–500 mg twice daily
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Support alongside medical care. These supplements are not a treatment for Acute Gastroenteritis. If you are being treated for it, talk to your clinician before adding one: supplements can interact with medicines.
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Studies cited
100 studies from PubMed
- The effects of probiotic supplementation on cardiometabolic health in patients with prediabetes: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and GRADE assessment.
- Lactococcus lactis strain Plasma activates plasmacytoid dendritic cells and mitigates common cold-like symptoms in healthy adults: a meta-analysis of individual participant data.
- Dietary restriction of isoleucine increases healthspan and lifespan of genetically heterogeneous mice.
- The adverse metabolic effects of branched-chain amino acids are mediated by isoleucine and valine
- Potential benefits of L. acidophilus in dyslipidemic rats
- Effect of a Probiotic Supplement Containing Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium Animalis Lactis on Urine Oxalate in Calcium Stone Formers with Hyperoxaluria: A Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind and In-vitro Trial
- The Effect of Isoleucine Supplementation on Body Weight Gain and Blood Glucose Response in Lean and Obese Mice.
- Preventive Effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus XY27 on DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice
- Immune enhancing effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus on Newcastle disease vaccination in chickens
- Lactobacillus acidophilus attenuates toxin production by Vibrio cholerae and shigella dysenteriae following intestinal epithelial cells infection
- Isoleucine plays an important role in the growth, immune function, protein metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and glucose transport of animals
- Primary prevention of Clostridium difficile infections with a specific probiotic combining Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, and L. rhamnosus strains: assessing the evidence
- Lactobacillus acidophilus Alleviated Salmonella-Induced Goblet Cells Loss and Colitis by Notch Pathway
- Lactobacillus acidophilus ameliorates pain and cartilage degradation in experimental osteoarthritis
- Efficacy of a standardized extract of Matricariae chamomilla L., Melissa officinalis L. and tyndallized Lactobacillus acidophilus (HA122) in infantile colic: An open randomized controlled trial
- Uromodulin-SlpA binding dictates Lactobacillus acidophilus uptake by intestinal epithelial M cells
- Effects of isoleucine on glucose uptake through the enhancement of muscular membrane concentrations of GLUT1 and GLUT4 and intestinal membrane concentrations of Na+/glucose co-transporter 1 (SGLT-1) and GLUT2.
- Lactobacillus acidophilus Mixture in Treatment of Children Hospitalized With Acute Diarrhea
- Efficacy of prolonged ingestion of Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 in adult patients with atopic dermatitis
- Lactobacillus acidophilus attenuates Salmonella-induced intestinal inflammation via TGF-β signaling
- The effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus as feed supplement on skin mucosal immune parameters, intestinal microbiota, stress resistance and growth performance of black swordtail
- Lactobacillus acidophilus CP23 with weak immunomodulatory activity lacks anchoring structure for surface layer protein
- Lactobacillus acidophilus modulates the virulence of Clostridium difficile
- Effects of oral administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 on the symptoms and serum cytokines of atopic dermatitis in Japanese adults: a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial
- Isoleucine and leucine independently regulate mTOR signaling and protein synthesis in MAC-T cells and bovine mammary tissue slices
- Induction of β-defensins by l-isoleucine as novel immunotherapy in experimental murine tuberculosis.
- L-isoleucine-supplemented oral rehydration solution in the treatment of acute diarrhoea in children: a randomized controlled trial.
- Effects of oral administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus L-92 on the symptoms and serum markers of atopic dermatitis in children
- Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus and L. casei mix sensitize colorectal tumoral cells to 5-fluorouracil-induced apoptosis
- Hypoglycemic effect of isoleucine involves increased muscle glucose uptake and whole body glucose oxidation and decreased hepatic gluconeogenesis
- Isoleucine, a blood glucose-lowering amino acid, increases glucose uptake in rat skeletal muscle in the absence of increases in AMP-activated protein kinase activity
- Isoleucine, a potent plasma glucose-lowering amino acid, stimulates glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes
- An essential amino acid induces epithelial beta-defensin expression
- Transmission of Lactobacillus jensenii and Lactobacillus acidophilus from mother to child at time of delivery
- Evaluation of clinical safety and tolerance of a Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 supplement capsule: a randomized control trial
- Cholesterol-lowering efficacy of a microencapsulated bile salt hydrolase-active Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 yoghurt formulation in hypercholesterolaemic adults
- Cholesterol lowering and inhibition of sterol absorption by Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242: a randomized controlled trial
- Oral supplementation with probiotic L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 increases mean circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D: a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial
- Safety and tolerance of Lactobacillus reuteri supplementation to a population infected with the human immunodeficiency virus
- Probiotics for infantile colic: Is there evidence beyond doubt? A meta-analysis and systematic review.
- Probiotics to prevent or treat excessive infant crying: systematic review and meta-analysis
- Treating infant colic with the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri: double blind, placebo controlled randomised trial
- Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 in infantile colic: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Prophylactic use of a probiotic in the prevention of colic, regurgitation, and functional constipation: a randomized clinical trial
- Lactobacillus reuteri (American Type Culture Collection Strain 55730) versus simethicone in the treatment of infantile colic: a prospective randomized study
- 454 pyrosequencing analysis on faecal samples from a randomized DBPC trial of colicky infants treated with Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938
- Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 for the management of infantile colic in breastfed infants: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Improvement of digestive health and reduction in proteobacterial populations in the gut microbiota of cystic fibrosis patients using a Lactobacillus reuteri probiotic preparation: a double blind prospective study
- Safety and tolerability of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and effects on biomarkers in healthy adults: results from a randomized masked trial
- Salivary IgA response to probiotic bacteria and mutans streptococci after the use of chewing gum containing Lactobacillus reuteri
- Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC55730 in cystic fibrosis
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in hospitalized adults
- No effect of probiotics on respiratory allergies: a seven-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial in infancy
- Lactobacillus reuteri (DSM 17938) in infants with functional chronic constipation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study
- Lactobacillus reuteri compared with placebo as an adjuvant in Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori infection in humans by Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC 55730 and effect on eradication therapy: a pilot study
- Non-viable Lactobacillus reuteri DSMZ 17648 (Pylopass™) as a new approach to Helicobacter pylori control in humans
- The efficacy and acceptability of Lactobacillus reuteri for the treatment of depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Probiotics for treating acute infectious diarrhoea.
- The influence of probiotics on gastrointestinal tract infections among children attending childcare: A systematic review and meta-analysis
- A systematic review and meta-analysis: the therapeutic and preventive effect of Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17,938 addition in children with diarrhea.
- Use of probiotics in the treatment of functional abdominal pain in children-systematic review and meta-analysis
- Limosilactobacillus reuteri consumption significantly reduces the total cholesterol concentration without affecting other cardiovascular disease risk factors in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Adjunctive benefit of probiotic supplementation along with nonsurgical therapy for peri-implant diseases - A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Probiotics for people with cystic fibrosis.
- Probiotics for the prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- The effects of probiotics supplements on metabolic indices and clinical signs in patients with diabetic retinopathy, a randomized double blind clinical trial.
- Effect of applying Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum N793 to the scalps of men and women with thinning hair: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.
- Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Probiotic Intake on Androgenic Alopecia.
- Impact of probiotics on sleep quality and mood states in patients with insomnia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Gaba-producing lactobacilli boost cognitive reactivity to negative mood without improving cognitive performance: A human Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Cross-Over study.
- The effect of probiotic consumption on lipid profile, glycemic index, inflammatory markers, and liver function in NAFLD patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- The effect of probiotics on severe oral mucositis in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy: A meta-analysis.
- Oral probiotic supplementation to alleviate diarrhea induced by fluoropyrimidines or irinotecan-based chemotherapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- The impact of probiotics on core autism symptoms - A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
- Efficacy and safety of Bacteroides fragilis BF839 for pediatric autism spectrum disorder: a randomized clinical trial.
- Probiotics for autism spectrum disorder: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of effects on symptoms.
- The efficacy and safety of probiotics in the adjuvant treatment of psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Effects of probiotic supplementation on testosterone levels in healthy ageing men: A 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.
- A 12-Week, Single-Centre, Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Design Clinical Trial for the Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum SKO-001 in Reducing Body Fat.
- Effects of oral supplementation of probiotics on body weight and visceral fat in obese patients: a meta-analysis and systematic review.
- The effects of probiotics administration during pregnancy on preeclampsia and associated maternal, fetal, and newborn outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Effects of probiotics supplementation on glycemic profile in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A grade-assessed systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- The Effect of Probiotics on Obesity with Comorbid Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- A network meta-analysis of probiotics in the treatment of childhood asthma.
- Efficacy of probiotics as adjuvant therapy in bronchial asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii as an adjuvant therapy for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori: a meta-analysis.
- Efficacy of probiotics regimens for Helicobacter pylori eradication: A systematic review, pairwise, and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Effect of probiotics on C-reactive protein levels in schizophrenia: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Probiotics Supplementation for Improving Glucolipid Parameters in Individuals with Prediabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.
- Systematic review and meta-analysis on probiotics as treatment for food allergies among pediatric patients: A 2024 update.
- Efficacy of Oral Probiotic Supplementation in Preventing Vulvovaginal Infections During Pregnancy: A Randomized and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.
- Clinical effects of probiotics on the treatment of gingivitis and periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Evaluation of the efficacy of probiotics in the chemoradiotherapy of colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- Clinical efficacy of probiotic supplementation in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis.
- The effect of probiotics on select cognitive domains in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Efficacy of probiotic supplementation in influencing cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Effectiveness of probiotic supplements on cognitive function in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Probiotics are a good choice for the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trial