Health Benefits of Probiotics

February 13, 2023

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The natural and predominant components of the gut microbiota are different species of bacteria. Among the many intestinal microbes, those thought to have the ability to improve the host's health by altering the intestinal microbiota are frequently chosen as probiotics.

Probiotics are living organisms that provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. These organisms are naturally present in fermented and dairy products. The two most common probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium ¹. Probiotics are used to boost the immune system, prevent gastrointestinal illnesses, modulate the effect of hypocholesterolemia, and promote oral and dermal health. Probiotics may also be used to help with sadness and anxiety ².

These bacteria provide various health benefits, such as preventing bowel diseases, improving the immune system, maintaining intestinal microbial balance, reducing traveler’s diarrhea, etc. Initially, probiotics were marketed in the form of fermented foods and dairy products. In recent years, probiotics are now available from non-dairy sources because lactose intolerance has increased ³.

Non-dairy probiotic products consist of patented probiotic formulations in the form of a powder that contains the strains, i.e., the subclasses of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and other probiotic strains. Bacteria produce spores to defend themselves from harsh conditions like temperature, salinity, acidity, etc. Spore-based probiotics are unique in that they can survive the acidic conditions of the gut while still performing their intended functions.

Spore-based probiotic strains:

Endotoxins are the compounds present in the blood as a result of eating foods with high fat and calorie contents. that can stimulate inflammatory action in the body. It stimulates the inflammatory reaction in the body. It can cause intestinal inflammation and damage cell-to-cell connections in the intestine. Increased serum endotoxins are the hallmark of the condition known as endotoxemia (presence of endotoxins in the blood). Studies on spore-based oral probiotics show that they are crucial in lowering intestinal permeability, in which cell-to-cell connection in the gut is lost ⁴. Several studies have suggested that Bacillus clausii may be a safe and effective treatment option for acute infantile diarrhoea ⁵.

Similarly, B. coagulans LBSC proved effective in reducing the pathophysiological symptoms of IBS overall while remaining safe for human ingestion ⁶.

Lactobacilli strains:

In human therapeutic trials, Lactobacilli strains including Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus rhamnosus have been used to improve immunological function, treat intestinal problems, and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to scientific evidence, it may be able to protect kids from developing acute gastroenteritis (AGE), antibiotic- or healthcare-associated diarrhoea (AAD and HAD, respectively), and other conditions ⁷. It has been demonstrated that Lactobacillus gasseri strain LG21 improves Helicobacter pylori eradication and lessens adverse antibiotic effects. A promising mouse pilot study revealed that Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 suppressed the growth of antibiotic-resistant H. pylori and decreased inflammatory cytokines ⁸. It will take more study to confirm the clinical applicability of this discovery.

Bifidobacterium strains:

Due to the related health advantages, bifidobacteria have been used commercially as probiotic agents. Bifidobacterium species, such as Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, etc., have been shown to play a significant role in the prevention or treatment of ulcerative colitis, diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD), etc ⁹.

Yeast:

A yeast called Saccharomyces boulardii is used as a probiotic because it works well to cure bacterially-induced diarrhoea. According to a meta-analysis of research, S. boulardii is protective against diarrhoea brought on by antibiotic use, Clostridium difficile infection, enteral nutrition-related diarrhoea, traveler's diarrhoea, and Helicobacter pylori infection. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other chronic disorders have all been evaluated for using S. boulardii ¹⁰. Numerous S. thermophilus species have demonstrated that it has immunomodulatory effects and a variety of anti-inflammatory immune-modulatory capabilities ¹¹.

With the current major research advancements, there is no question that the application of probiotics for human health will increase.

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