What are probiotics? What are the health benefits of probiotics?

Date: Aug-14-2013Probiotics are microorganisms that offer some form of health benefit to the host - they can be found in various different foods. Probiotics are believed to play very important roles in regulating proper intestinal function and digestion by balancing intestinal microflora.

These 'good bacteria' are considered to be "organisms and substances that have a beneficial effect on the host animal by contributing to its intestinal microbial balance", according to a report written by Parker, R. B. in the journal Animal Nutrition and Health.1.

The most common types of microbes used as supplemental probiotics are lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria. Probiotics are normally consumed in fermented foods which host added active live cultures (such as yogurt).

Yogurt is packed with probiotics

There are numerous health claims associated with taking probiotics, including:

improving immune function
treating diarrhea
lowering cholesterol levels
helping lactose-intolerant people tolerate more lactose
reducing blood pressure
improving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
treating allergies
improving brain function

It should be noted that many of these health claims require more scientific research before they can be fully backed up.
What are the health benefits of probiotics?
Diarrhea

Certain probiotics have demonstrated positive results in treating diarrhea and gastroenteritis. According to a report published in the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition probiotics are "useful in the prevention or treatment of several gastrointestinal disorders"2, such as infectious diarrhea, antibiotic diarrhea, and traveler's diarrhea.

One study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, concluded that  Lactobacillus species are a safe and effective form of treatment for children with infectious diarrhea.3 The researchers concluded that "Prophylactic use of Lactobacillus significantly reduced the risk of nosocomial diarrhea in infants, particularly nosocomial rotavirus gastroenteritis."

However, researchers from the University of Swansea, Wales, UK, reported in The Lancet that probiotic supplements do not reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea in seniors.
Brain function

Probiotics may be beneficial for brain function. Researchers at UCLA found that brain function improved among healthy women who regularly consumed probiotic-containing yogurt.

Lead author of the study, Dr. Kirsten Tillisch, said "Many of us have a container of yogurt in our refrigerator that we may eat for enjoyment, for calcium or because we think it might help our health in other ways. Our findings indicate that some of the contents of yogurt may actually change the way our brain responds to the environment. When we consider the implications of this work, the old sayings 'you are what you eat' and 'gut feelings' take on new meaning."

In addition, probiotic bacteria might have the potential to change brain neurochemistry and treat anxiety and depression-related disorders, according to a study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Cholesterol

Research presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions in 2012 revealed that a formulation of Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242, is able to reduce blood levels of LDL or "bad" cholesterol.

Mitchell L. Jones, M.D., Ph.D Jones, co-founder and chief science officer of the company that formulated the probiotic said that the study showed that the probiotics can reduce cholesterol esters "and in particular reduce the cholesterol esters associated with 'bad' saturated fatty acids in the blood."
Blood pressure

Some studies have found that milk fermented with strains of LAB may help lower blood pressure.4
Irritable bowel syndrome

There is growing evidence that probiotics can help treat irritable bowel syndrome. Two review articles, published in Nutrition in Clinical Practice, examined the therapeutic approaches to irritable bowel syndrome and found that probiotics, specifically Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 (Bifantis®), are very effective at managing IBS.
Infection

A study published in the prestigious scientific journal PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences), found that probiotic bacteria can protect against bacterial infection.

The research was the first of its kind to demonstrate that Lactobacillus salivarius offered significant protection against Listeria infection.
Psoriasis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Scientists at University College Cork, Ireland, reported in the journal Gut Microbes that Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 may also have benefits for patients with psoriasis and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 is a probiotic available in the USA for fortifying the digestive system.

This study is significant, the authors added, because it shows that a single probiotic can affect the systemic immune system in humans, and not only the mucosal immune system.
Probiotic strains

Probiotic cultures naturally occur in certain fermented foods. Below is a list of different strains of probiotic bacteria.

Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086
Bifidobacterium animalis subscp. lactis BB-12
Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis 35624
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM
Lactobacillus paracasei St11
Lactobacillus johnsonii La1
Lactobacillus plantarum 299v
Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC
Lactobacillus reuteri Protectis
Saccharomyces boulardii

Foods with probiotics

Below are a list of foods with high levels of live and active cultures:

Yogurt
Soy milk
Milk
Dark chocolate
Pickles
Olives

Written by Joseph Nordqvist

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