PROBIOTICS

What are probiotics?

They are ‘live’ micro-organisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. If you are wondering how one can knowingly take in live bacteria, there are a few more facts to surprise you…

What are the benefits of healthy bacteria?

The resident bacteria (also called commensals) help guard the body against pathogenic bacteria. Of the many resident beneficial bacteria, lactobacillus has been the most widely studied. Lactobacillus strains prevent the adhesion and growth of urinary and intestinal pathogens and produce high concentration of hydrogen peroxide and lower the pH of the intestine, making it inhospitable for the harmful bacteria.

What causes disturbance in the intestinal flora?

Intestinal flora may be disrupted sometimes due to factors like prolonged use of antibiotics, stress and most importantly diets high in sugar and simple carbohydrates. Exposure to radiation and parasitic infestation may be the other causes. This precisely is the reason why probiotic preparations are sometimes recommended after a course of antibiotics, or as part of treatment.

Which probiotics are helpful?

Among the probiotics, S. boulardii, E. faecium and Lactobacillus sp. are useful in preventing antibiotic-related diarrhoea. Lactobacillus GG reduces the severity and duration of rotavirus diarrhoea in infants. Some lactic acid bacteria have immuno-regulatory effects that might protect against some allergic disorders. There is some evidence that some of these probiotic strains can reduce the intestinal inflammation associated with some food allergies. Some animal experiments have even shown that products containing L. acidophilus have cholesterol lowering effect. In addition, probiotics improve absorption of nutrients, improve synthesis of vitamins and essential fatty acids and also prevent some bacterial and yeast infections.

How do we take in healthy bacteria?

The best way is through dietary sources. In fact, for centuries our native diets have had a good proportion of fermented foods, some of which have probiotic health benefits. Curd, the lactobacillus fermented product, has also been part of the Indian diets for centuries. Similarly pickles, dhokla, butter, are also good sources.

What are the probiotic preparations available in the market?

Food products or supplements and pharmaceutical preparations containing viable probiotic strains are available in the market either as fermented foods or in lyophilised (freeze-dried) form.

A probiotic preparation can be effective only if the healthy bacteria are available in required concentration for consumption; there are concerns about the preservation of probiotic strains in these products and hence there are doubts about their health effects after consumption.

Can probiotics be liberally consumed by everyone?

Studies show that probiotics are contraindicated in those who are proven to be hypersensitive to such products. It is better that pregnant and nursing women use probiotic nutritional supplements only on the physician’s advice. Similarly, the use of probiotics for the treatment of any disorder must be medically supervised. Some commercial foods, which are being marketed as containing probiotics are very high in sugar and are empty calories (poor in vitamins and minerals). Such foods may be unhealthy because of their ‘junk’ nature.

Regulatory Issues?

There is a need for standardisation in order to sift the genuine products from the artificial ones. Considering this, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Ministry of Health has recently set up a committee to formulate guidelines for the probiotic foods.

Once the guidelines are out, the products claiming to be probiotic should go through stringent quality checks and disclosure on the labels so that the consumers can make more informed choices.



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Did you know
Over 400 distinct species of micro organisms inhabit our digestive tract.


They make up nearly 2 kg of your total body weight.


The bacteria outnumber the cells in your body.


Several of these bacteria are beneficial to health and can boost immunity.


Even nascent tummies of babies acquire some beneficial bacteria from the mother during the birth process, multiply in the gastrointestinal tract and boost the baby’s immunity.


Bifidobacteria infantis are the dominant bacteria in the infant’s digestive tract. They hinder the growth of rotaviruses, which cause diarrhoea and thrush, and protect the newborn against some common infections.


These bacteria help prevent lactose intolerance and increase absorption of minerals and B vitamins.


Breast-fed babies become dominated by bifidobacteria due to the favourable growth factors in breast milk.



source

http://www.hindu.com/mag/2009/03/01/stories/2009030150200600.htm