Probiotics for Preventive Health

Abstract

Gut flora and probiotics have potential to affect health and disease far beyond the gut. There is increasing evidence that probiotics have beneficial effects in preventing a wide range of conditions and improving health. Randomized, double-blind studies have provided evidence of the effectiveness of probiotics for preventing various diarrheal illnesses as well as allergic disorders. Evidence for their efficacy for use in the prevention and treatment of bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections is also mounting. In addition, probiotics may be useful for preventing respiratory infections, dental caries, necrotizing enterocolitis, and certain aspects of inflammatory bowel disease. Data also suggest that probiotics may promote good health in day care and work settings, and may enhance growth in healthy as well as ill and malnourished children. Results from meta-analyses and systematic reviews that combine results of studies from different types of probiotics to examine the effects in any disease state should be interpreted with caution. Specific strains are effective in specific disease states. No 2 probiotics are exactly alike; we should not expect reproducible results from studies that employ different species or strains, variable formulations, and diverse dosing schedules.

Daily Probiotic’s (Lactobacillus casei Shirota) Reduction of Infection Incidence in Athletes

“…There is now a reasonable body of evidence that regular consumption of probiotics can modify the population of the gut microbiota and influence immune function (Borchers, Selmi, Meyers, Keen, & Gershwin, 2009;Gill & Cross, 2002;Matsuzaki, 1998;Mengheri, 2008;Minocha, 2009), although it should be noted that such effects are strain specific. Some studies suggest that increased resistance to enteric pathogens and promotion of antitumor activity occur with probiotic supplementation, and there is emerging evidence that probiotics may be effective in alleviating some allergic and respiratory disorders in children (Hatakka et al, 2001;Kopp-Hoolihan, 2001).…”

Novel Probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidum CECT 7366 Strain Active against the Pathogenic Bacterium Helicobacter pylori

“…The regular intake of probiotic microorganisms has been demonstrated to prevent several infectious, allergic disorders, diarrhea, and inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (36). Moreover, probiotics or their metabolites have been suggested to play an important role in the formation or establishment of a well-balanced, indigenous, intestinal microbiota in newborn children and adults (22,45).…”

Novel Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis CECT 7210 Strain Active against Rotavirus Infections

“…According to the expert consultation conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), probiotics are "live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host" (16). The known benefits of administering probiotic microorganisms include the prevention of several infections, allergic disorders, diarrhea, and inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (35). Probiotics have been reported as very useful in the prevention and treatment of urogenital and vaginal infections (41).…”