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PROBIOTICS summary :

 

The concept of probiotics has been around for a long time, dating back about 100 years. At that time, probiotic microorganisms were commonly ingested in foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and other products of fermentation.

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This was hypothesized to improve human health and lifespan. Further studies of beneficial bacteria have shown their role in maintaining health; as part of the intestinal microflora, they maintain gastrointestinal health and support the immune system. However, with the advent of refrigeration and a tendency towards processed foods in a sterile food supply, the ingestion of beneficial microorganisms has become much more limited. In addition, the use of antibiotics to treat disease can also alter the intestinal microflora balance, which can result in diseases such as diarrhea, colitis, and IBS. Infants and children in particular are vulnerable due to the increasing use of antibiotics.

 

The isolation and development of probiotics, notably certain strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria species, may address this problem. Research studies suggest that supplementary consumption of certain probiotic strains may temporarily change the intestinal microflora to produce a beneficial effect. Further studies have shown how certain probiotic strains, for example Lactobacillus GG (LGG), can have benefits in diseases such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea, traveler's diarrhea, and IBS, and can help prevent the onset of allergies in children.

 

Most commercially available strains of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria species are generally considered safe, but specific benefits of each strain have not always been clear. Many claims are made by manufacturers of probiotics, however, like antibiotics and other therapeutic agents, their use needs to be directed through careful review of double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in humans. LGG has been studied and validated with this attention to scientific detail.