WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS?
Probiotics are bacteria that, while passing through the intestine, may
exert specific beneficial effects on the host's physiology. In general,
probiotics are members of the group of the lactic acid-producing bacteria
such as Lactobacillus acidophilus.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS?
The potential health benefits of probiotics include alteration of the
intestinal micro-flora balance, inhibition of the growth of harmful
bacteria, promotion of good digestion, boosting immune function, and
increased resistance to infection [1-4].
HOW DOES PROBIOTICS KILL GERMS?
Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are believed to produce beneficial
compounds such as B vitamins, lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic
acid to lower the pH of the intestine as to inhibit the growth of the
harmful bacteria [5,6]. They also produce bacteriocins or natural
antibiotics to kill the harmful bacteria [7].
WHAT OTHER BENEFITS THAT PROBIOTICS MAY OFFER?
Study has showen that other Lactobacillus species such as L.
rhamnosus and L. plantarum are involved in the production of several
nutrients such as short-chain fatty acids and amino acids [8]. They may
also help detoxify the gut [9]. Twice daily probiotics supplementation
has been shown to enhance immune function [ [10,11].
IS THERE A DEPLETION OF PROBIOTICS?
People using antibiotics, eating a poor diet, or suffering from diarrhea
are likely to have depleted colonies of probiotics. Diarrhea flushes
probiotics out of the GI tract, leaving the body vulnerable to
opportunistic infections (by the harmful bacteria). Antibotics may kill the
good bacteria as well.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS TOF TAKING PROBIOTICS SUPPLEMENTS?
Replenishing the beneficial bacteria may help prevent the opportunistic
infections. Use of probiotics supplements may prevent traveler's
diarrhea, caused by the harmful bacteria in drinking water or raw foods
[12]. They are also important in the colonizing the intestine during and
after antibiotic use. Finally, probiotics supplements may also aid
digestion since some of them produce lactase to digest milk sugar.
Probiotics may be helpful to lactose-intolerant people as they are in lack
of this enzyme [13].
WHAT IS PREBIOTICS?
Prebiotics is a recent novel food concept that includes food ingredients
that are not digested in the human upper intestinal tract and hence
arrive in the colon where they are selectively fermented by a limited
number of colonic bacteria. It was demonstrated that prebiotic
carbohydrates and probiotics consistently reduced processes of
carcinogenesis and tumorigenesis.
ARE THERE ANY SCIENTIC SUPPORTS FOR PROBIOTICS BENEFIT
CLAIMS? There are limited studies to support the claims and the key
studies are summarized as follows:
Inflammatory bowel disease Â
Feillet H et al, Necker Hospital, Paris, France suggested that colitis onset
could be prevented by bacteria, bacterial extracts, or helminthes from
murine studies. Pena JA et al, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas,
reported Probiotic Lactobacillus spp. diminish Helicobacter hepaticus-
induced inflammatory bowel disease in interleukin-10-deficient mice.
[14,15]
Phagocyte Enhancement
Lee Y and Lee TS, Seoul Women's University, Seoul, enhanced ex vivo
phagocytic capacity of peritoneal leukocytes in mice by oral delivery of
various lactic-acid-producing bacteria. [16]
Hepatic Encephalopathy / Liver Cirrhosis
Jia L and Zhang MH, First People's Municipal Hospital of Guangzhou,
China found that probiotics may be safe and useful for the long-term
treatment of minimal hepatic encephalopathy from their study using
rats. [17] Zhao HY et al, Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital
University of Medical Sciences, found Probiotics effectively increased the
Bifidobacterium count and reduced the level of fecal pH and fecal and
blood ammonia from their clinical studies.[18]
Colon Cancer
Approximately 70% of colorectal cancer is associated with environmental
factors, probably mainly the diet. Saikali J et al, Nutrition Research,
Palaiseau Cedex, France, reported the protective role of milks fermented
with probiotic cultures in colon cancer risk reduction in their review
article. [19] Rafter J., Karolinska Institute, Sweden, also got similar
results. [20]
Marotta F et al, University of Milan, Italy, found probiotics might exert
significant antimutagenic properties against colon cancer via decreased
fecal pH, specific reduction of carcinogenetic bacterial enzymes,
modulation of gut-associated and systemic immune system from their
animal studies [21]
Major depressive disorder (MDD)
MDD patients have been shown to have elevated levels of pro-
inflammatory cytokines, increased oxidative stress, altered
gastrointestinal (GI) function, and lowered micronutrient and omega-3
fatty acid status. Logan AC et al, Nutrition Research Consulting, New
York, suggested probiotics have the potential to lower systemic
inflammatory cytokines, decrease oxidative stress, improve nutritional
status, and correct small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Consequently,
probiotics can be used as an adjuvant therapy for people suffered from
MDD. [22]
Abdominal bloating / Intestinal Gas
People have an imbalance in their normal colonic flora, as some bacterial
taxa are more prone to gas production than others. Upon colonization of
probiotics, the probiotics seemed to be able to reduce gas formation.
Two studies are outlined as below:
Functional abdominal bloating is a condition dominated by a feeling of
abdominal fullness or bloating and without sufficient criteria for another
functional gastrointestinal disorder. Di Stefano M et al, University of
Pavia, Italy, suggested that the administration of probiotics to modify
the composition of colonic flora and thus the production of intestinal gas.
[23]
Nobaek S et al, Lund University Hospital, Sweden, reported that oral
administration of Lb. plantarum with known probiotic properties
decreased pain and flatulence in patients with irritable bowel
syndrome. [24]
This web-site reports published research findings for nutritional and herbal
supplements, actually, more research studies may be needed to confirm the
uses of certain supplements. And, the results are always affected by the
experimental design, dosage form preparation and the origin of the raw
materials. Consequently, the information in this web site is for reference only. If
you have any question, you should consult with your doctor immediately. Thank
you.
All Right Reserved 2005
References
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Bianchi SB, et al. Int J Immunother 1993;9:23–8. 4. Veldman A. Tijdschrift voor
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Rasic JL. N Eur Dairy J 1983;4:80–8.7. Barefoot SF, Klaenhammer TR. Appl Environ Microbiol
1983;45:1808–15. 8. Bengmark S. Clin Nutr 1996;15:1–10. 9. Bengmark S. Am J Gastroenterol
2000;95(1 Suppl):S5–7 [review].10. Arunachalam K, Gill HS, Chandra RK Eur J Clin Nutr 2000;
54:263– 11. Perdigon G, Alvarez S, Rachid M, et al J Dairy Sci 1995;78:1597–606. 12.
Scarpignato C, Rampal P. Chemotherapy 1995;41:48–81. 13. McDonough FE, Hitchins AD,
Wong NP, et al. Am J Clin Nutr 1987;45:570–4. [14] The protective effect was exerted via
regulatory cytokines as observed from studies on cell cultures. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2004 Nov;
20(6):560-4] Â [15] Infect Immun. 2005 Feb;73(2):912-20] Â Food [16]Curr Microbiol. 2004 Dec
21][17] World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Feb 14;11(6):908-11] [18] Chin J Dig Dis. 2004;5(2):64-7].[19]
Nutr Cancer. 2004;49(1):14-24] [20] Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2003 Oct;17(5):849-59].
[21] Hepatogastroenterology. 2003 Nov-Dec;50(54):1914-8] [22]Med Hypotheses. 2005;64(3):533-
8] [23] J Clin Gastroenterol. 2004 Jul;38(6 Suppl):S102-3].[24] Am J Gastroenterol. 2000 May;95
(5):1231-8]
Prebiotics benefits may include the prevention and treatment of Crohn disease, pouchitis, and possibly ulcerative colitis. And,
these benefits may arise from its modulation of mucosal and systemic immune activities. [A1,A2]
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