If you were as shocked as I was to read about the recent deaths of 24 Danish pancreatitis patients in a probiotics trial, you might find a more balanced perspective at this article by Stephen Daniells, PhD, originally published on www.nutraingredients.com. In it, he explains the high mortality rate of those with pancreatitis. Here are some highlights:

“The fact remains that probiotics have displayed significant benefits for a range of health conditions, and the safety record is exemplary when used by the average health consumer at recommended intakes.”

“…it may serve as an interesting example of expecting too mcuh from nutritional supplements. Whether it’s a probiotic, a pomegranate extract, an omega-3, or whatever, the bigger issue from these data may be that the benefit of nutrients is in the prevention, not the cure of disease.”