PROBIOTIC
Probiotics are microorganisms that are believed to provide health benefits when consumed. The term probiotic is currently used to name ingested microorganisms associated with benefits for human and animals. The term came into more common use after 1980. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) 2001 gave definition of probiotics as “ live microorganism which,when administrated in adequate amounts , confer a health benefit on the host”. Following this definition on a working group convened by the FAO/WHO in may 2002 issued the “Guidelines for the evaluation of probiotics in food.”
This first global effort was further developed in 2010; two expert groups of academic scientists and industry representatives made recommendation for the evaluation and validation of probiotic health claims. The introduction of the concept is generally attributed to Nepal recipient Elie Metchnikoff, who postulates that yogurt- consuming Bulgarian peasants lived longer because of this custom. He suggested in 1907 that “the dependence of the intestinal microbes on the food makes it possible to adopt measures to modify the flora in our bodies and to replace the harmful microbes”. A significant expansion of the potential market for probiotics has led to higher requirement for scientific substantiation of putative benefits conferred by the microogranisms.
Although there are numerous claimed benefits of using commercial probiotics, such as reduction of gastrointestinal discomfort or strengthening of the immune system, such claims are not backed by scientific evidence.
RESEARCH
Studies are examining whether probiotics affect mechanisms of intestinal inflammation diarrhea, or urogenital infections. Through 2012, however, in all cases proposed as health claims to the European food Safety Authority, the scientific evidence remain insufficient to prove a cause and effect relationship between consumption of probiotic products and any health benefit.
Research into the potential health effects of supplemental probiotics has molecular biology and genomics of Lactobacillus in immune function, cancer, and antibiotic associated diarrhea, traveller’s diarrhea, pediatric diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel syndrome. Tresting of a probiotic apples to a specific strain under study. The scientific community cautions, against extrapolating an effect from a tested strain to an untested strain.
Although research does suggest that the relationship between gut flora and human is a mutualistic relationship, very little evidence supports claims that probiotic dietary supplements have any health benefits. Improved health through gut flora modulation appears to b directly related to long-term dietary changes. Claims that some lactobacilli may contribute to weight gain in some humans remain controversial.
ALLERGIES-Probiotics are ineffective in preventing allergies in children, with the possible exception of eczema.
BLOOD PRESSURE-The consumption of probiotics may modestly help to control high bollod pressure.
ECZEMA-Probiotics are commonly given to breastfeeding mothers and their young children to prevent eczema, but some doubt exists over the strength of evidence supporting this practice.
IMMUNE FUNCTION AND INFECTIONS-Clinical trials have demonstrated that probiotics may decrease the incidence of respiratory tract infections and dental caries in children.
VITAMIN PRODUCTION-Probiotic treatment has been studied as a means of addressing disorders associated with vitamin deficiencies including those of vitamin K, folic acid, and vitamin B12.
SIDE EFFECTS-Although probiotics are considered to be safe, there are concerns about their safety in certain cases. Some people, such as those with immunodeficiency, short bowel syndrome, central venous catheters, cardiac valve disease and premature infants, may be at higher risk for adverse events. In severely ill people with inflammatory bowel disease there is a risk of the passage of viable bacteria from the gastrointestinal tract to the internal organs (bacterial translocation) as a consequence of bacteremia, which can cause adverse health consequences. Rarely, consumption of probiotics by children with lowered immune system function or who are already critically ill may result in bacteremia or fungemia (i.e., bacteria or fungi in the blood), which can lead to sepsis, a potentially fatal disease.Although it has been suggested that Lactobacillus contributes to obesity in humans, no evidence of this relationship has been found. Including those of vitamin K, folic acid, and vitamin B12.
BY:
SHIKHANGI SINGH
B.TECH(F.T.)
7TH SEM, 4TH YEAR