Also frankly, doctor =/= expert on probiotics.

None of their training really addresses that and while they might be more qualified to read research than random layman I would not in general ascribe authority to what a random practitioner has to say about probiotics. Frankly, the research on probiotics is still very much in its infancy and a LOT remains to be figured out.

Absolutely, if you have access to domain specific experts or researchers than that should trump whatever your more generalized expert will say.

Also right to highlight that just because there exist specialist in something does not mean we have the full or correct understanding yet, it's just your best place to find information regarding it unless you want to go join the field.

Great points!

> doctor =/= expert on probiotics

Medical microbiologists would love to have a word with you. Medicine and medicine-adjacent disciplines each develop institutional knowledge that percolates from each specialized discipline.

> …the research on probiotics is still very much in its infancy and a LOT remains to be figured out.

I’m curious who you think does the research. It’s certainly not Bubba from down the creek.