Archive for July, 2010

Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be healthy for the host organism. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria are the most common types of microbes used as probiotics; but certain yeasts and bacilli may also be helpful. Probiotics are commonly consumed as part of fermented foods with specially added active live cultures; such as in yogurt, soy yogurt, or as dietary supplements.

Potential Benefits:

Experiments into the benefits of probiotic therapies suggest a range of potentially beneficial medicinal uses for probiotics.

• Managing lactose intolerance – As lactic acid bacteria actively convert lactose into lactic acid, ingestion of certain active strains may help lactose intolerant individuals tolerate more lactose than what they would have otherwise.
• Prevention of colon cancer – some strains of LAB (Lactobacillus bulgaricus) may exert anti-carcinogenic effects by decreasing the activity of an enzyme called ?-glucuronidase (which can generate carcinogens in the digestive system). Lower rates of colon cancer among higher consumers of fermented dairy products have been observed in one population study.
• Lowering cholesterol – a range of LAB are able to lower serum cholesterol levels, presumably by breaking down bile in the gut, thus inhibiting its reabsorption (which enters the blood as cholesterol).
• Lowering blood pressure – consumption of milk fermented with various strains of LAB may result in modest reductions inblood pressure. It is thought that this is due to the ACE inhibitor-like peptides produced during fermentation.
• Improving immune function and preventing infections – LAB are thought to have several presumably beneficial effects on immune function. LAB foods and supplements have been shown to aid in the treatment and prevention of acute diarrhea, and in decreasing the severity and duration of rotavirus infections in children and travelers’ diarrhea in adults.
• Helicobacter pylori - LAB are also thought to aid in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infections (which cause peptic ulcers) in adults when used in combination with standard medical treatments.
• Antibiotic-associated diarrhea - Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) results from an imbalance in the colonic microbiota caused by antibiotic therapy. Microbiota alteration changes carbohydrate metabolism with decreased short-chain fatty acid absorption and an osmotic diarrhea as a result. Another consequence of antibiotic therapy leading to diarrhea is overgrowth of potentially pathogenic organisms such as Clostridium difficile.
• Reducing inflammation - LAB and supplements have been found to modulate inflammatory and hypersensitivity responses; they can prevent reoccurrences of inflammatory bowel disease in adults, as well as improve milk allergies. They are not effective for treating eczema, a persistent skin inflammation.
• Improving mineral absorption - It is hypothesized that probiotic lactobacilli may help correct malabsorption of trace minerals, found particularly in those with diets high inphytate content from whole grains, nuts, and legumes.
• Irritable bowel syndrome and colitis – B. infantis , sold as Align, was found to improve some symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in women in a recent study. Another probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus plantarum , was also found to be effective in reducing IBS symptoms.