Probiotics: Friendly Microbes For Better Health

Abstract

Microorganisms have been used for hundreds of years by our ancestors in various food and beverages, and in the last decades have undergone clinical research for their ability to prevent and cure a variety of diseases. In recent years, novel insights have been gained into the role of bacterial micro flora in health and disease. Natural flora manipulation by probiotic bacteria has been investigated in human and experimental inflammatory bowel disease. Various probiotic species have shown promise in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and pouchitis in small studies; although a clear clinical benefit remains to be established. Probiotics may also have antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, anticarcinogenic, antiallergeic, antidiarrheal and antioxidant properties. The various mechanisms include chelation of metallic ions, scavenging of reactive organs species, and reduction of bacterial activity. The probiotics that are marketed as nutritional supplements and used in foods, such as yogurt, are principally the bifidobacteria species and the lactobacillus species. This article discusses the information on the health benefits of probiotics.