Probiotics:Bacteria as Medicine?

So, what are they?

“Live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host."

– The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

Most common Probiotics

Bifidobacteria

Lactobacillus

Acidophilus

Common Probiotics

Bifidobacteria • Digest oligosaccharides from breast milk, plants• Help with peristalsis, IBS, dental cavities, serum

lipids, glucose tolerance

Common ProbioticsLactobacillus• Found in fermented dairy products• Anti-carcinogenic • Treating and preventing infections • IBS• Diarrhea• Lactose intolerance• Skin disorders

Common ProbioticsAcidophilus bifidus • Lowers cholesterol • Reduces growth of hostile yeasts

Related Terms

Prebiotic: Promote growth and maintenance of beneficial or commensal microorganisms

Synbiotic: Has the properties of both a probiotic and a prebiotic

Amphibiotic: A probiotic bacteria that also targets and kills pathogenic bacteria in the body

What do they do for us?

Intestinal microflora aid in: • Digestion • Synthesis of vitamins, hormones • Metabolism of some medications• Gut development and function• Immune system enhancement and function• Brain Development• Reducing Inflammation

How do we get them?

• Trans-placental Transfer• Vaginal Birth• Breast milk• Diet• Environmental Exposure

Risk Factors

• C-section• Not breastfeeding• Prematurity • Poor food choices • Chronic stress/anxiety • Antibiotic overuse, other drugs

Which means….

• Diarrhea• Muscle pain• Fatigue• Allergic Reactions• Autoimmune disorders• Infection

Listen to Your Gut

1. They are key for immune function2. They might lower your cholesterol3. They produce anti inflammatory molecules4. They enhance your antioxidants5. They could impact your mental health 6. Linked to obesity

So how do we harness these unsung heroes of the intestine?

1. Boost your fiber intake2. Eat a well balanced diet:

↑F&V ↓Sugar ↓Red meat & Sat.Fat3. Add dietary sources of probiotics4. Consider (with caution) prebiotic / probiotic

supplements

What You Can Do

Polyphenols

The Probiotic Process

When making probiotics:• Sudden freezing → damage to cell walls,

intercellular structures• Oxygen and moisture → bacteria die• Many bacteria degraded in acidic stomach

In Conclusion

• Probiotics generally believed to be safe• AAP supports administration for treatment of

acute gastroenteritis and prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhea

• Decreased incidence of NEC in preterm infants after breastfeeding (synbiotic) and probiotics

Considerations

• Look for USP seal • Compare genus, strain, and species to studies• Determine species specific to condition• Populations to be especially careful when

considering probiotics:– Children, pregnant women, elderly people, and

people with compromised immune systems

More Research Required….

In all cases proposed as health claims to the European Food Safety Authority, the scientific evidence remains insufficient to prove cause and effect relationship between consumption of probiotic products and any health benefit