Overview

Yogurt is a dairy product made by fermenting milk using one or more bacteria, such as L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus.

Yogurt contains bacteria which may help restore the normal bacteria in the digestive tract and vagina. This might help treat diarrhea and vaginal infections.

People use yogurt for constipation, high cholesterol, lactose intolerance, diarrhea, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.

Don't confuse yogurt with probiotics, fermented milk, or kefir. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

  • Constipation. Eating a specific yogurt containing probiotics (Activia) seems to help increase bowel movements in people with constipation.
  • High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Eating certain types of yogurt containing probiotics seems to somewhat lower cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol.
  • Inability to properly digest the sugar lactose (lactose intolerance). Eating yogurt with live bacterial cultures seems to improve lactose tolerance in children and adults who are unable to fully digest lactose.
There is interest in using yogurt for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Yogurt is commonly consumed in foods. It's usually well-tolerated.

When used in the vagina: Yogurt is possibly safe when used appropriately.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Yogurt is commonly consumed in foods. It's usually well-tolerated.

When used in the vagina: Yogurt is possibly safe when used appropriately.

Pregnancy: Yogurt is commonly consumed in foods. Is it possibly safe when used in the vagina while pregnant.

Breast-feeding: Yogurt is commonly consumed in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if yogurt is safe to use in the vagina when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Weakened immune system: Although rare, live bacteria in yogurt can might cause illness in people with weakened immune systems. If you have a weakened immune system, talk to your healthcare provider before eating large amounts of yogurt that contain live bacteria for prolonged periods of time.

Milk allergy: Many people allergic to milk are also allergic to yogurt. If you are allergic to milk, talk with your healthcare provider before trying yogurt.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics) interacts with YOGURT

    Yogurt might decrease how much tetracycline antibiotic the body absorbs, which might decrease the effects of tetracycline antibiotics. To avoid this interaction, take yogurt two hours before or four hours after taking tetracyclines.

  • Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) interacts with YOGURT

    Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic. Yogurt might decrease how much ciprofloxacin the body absorbs, which might decrease the effects of ciprofloxacin. To avoid this interaction, take yogurt at least one hour after ciprofloxacin.

    Minor Interaction

    Be watchful with this combination

  • NILOTINIB (Tasigna) interacts with YOGURT

    Yogurt might increase the absorption of nilotinib by a small amount. But it does not seem to increase side effects from nilotinib.

Dosing

Yogurt is commonly eaten in foods. In the US, most yogurt is made using the probiotics Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Some yogurts also contain Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Enterococcus faecium, and Bidifobacterium animalis.

As medicine, yogurt has most often been consumed by adults as 250 mL or 250 grams by mouth daily for 1-16 weeks. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.