|
"Health Watch" PROBIOTICS IN |
Bacteria in a probiotic yoghurt |
bout a hundred thousand billion bacterial cells in close association with the large intestinal epithelium protect the host against invasion by pathogenic microorganisms from the environment. Antagonism by this so-called normal bacterial flora against pathogenic microorganisms has been known for many years. The microbial barrier effect thus plays a major role, not only in the colonization resistance of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) by exogenous microorganisms, but also in the repression of endogenous microbial populations with a pathogenic potential. They are an active component in the intestine’s defense barrier and a powerful protective interface between the internal and external environment. However this dynamic equilibrium is often threatened by various aggressions that may result in its breakdown. Multiple factors, both due to underlying conditions as well as those due to exogenous factors, may result in imbalance of the gastrointestinal ecosystem. Probiotics: Whatever be the reason for the breakdown of the microbial equilibrium, it is very much essential to restore the intestinal bacteria to maintain the health of the GIT. It is possible to manipulate the composition of the GIT flora by microbial interventions using probiotics. Probiotics are live microbial supplements that prevent or treat disease by exerting a beneficial effect on the host by restoring balance to a disrupted flora. Even though probiotics can be used to replace altered flora in other body sites, the GIT is the major target of probiotic therapy. Probiotics interact with the intestinal epithelial cells to protect them from dysfunction induced by intestinal pathogens. Thus most of the organisms used as probiotics are nonpathogenic bacteria, such as Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, Streptococci, Escherichia coli, etc., which are normally present in the human intestine. However sometimes organisms (e.g. Saccharomyces boulardii and Pediococcus acidilactici) alien to the human intestine may also be used in the GIT due to their specific beneficial effect. For a microorganism to be a probiotic it has to remain viable in the gut, be able to resist acid and bile salts, be able to successfully colonize the gut and to have a long shelf life during storage. Probiotics have been studied for over 30 years but have been used in food products since time immemorial. As prehistoric methods of food preservation like natural fermentation of foods dug into the ground, human nutrition once contained more bacteria than today. Lactic acid bacteria have been used traditionally in food fermentation for thousands of years. These bacteria ferment food to produce various substances such as lactic acid, acetic acid, peptides, vitamins and antimicrobial substances that contribute to the taste, texture and potential health benefits of the products. Lifestyle changes have however brought about a many fold less consumption of bacteria than our prehistoric ancestors. Probiotics may provide health benefits by various mechanisms such as
Probiotics in gastrointestinal disorders Probiotics are being used to prevent or treat many gastrointestinal problems.
Dosage and forms of probiotics: All probiotics are adversely affected by four elements---- light, heat, oxygen and moisture. Stability is achieved by minimizing their effects in all stages of probiotic processing and storing. There is no standard for the level of probiotic needed to produce health benefit. The dose however should be enough to positively stimulate the healthy microflora in the gut and cause these ‘good’ bacteria to reproduce or colonize. Probiotics may be administered in several forms. (i) They may be given in powder forms available as capsules or in satchets as single or mutiple probiotics. Advantage of giving multiple strains is that various properties of different strains are combined. (ii) They may be mixed with standard oral rehydration therapy. However the exact quantum of cells taken can get miscalculated in this form of administration. (iii) Supplementing regular infant feeds with a probiotic (e.g. Bifidobacterium) as prophylactic agent against acute diarrhoeal disease, is another form of administration. (iv) Rectal instillation of bacterial flora to replace the offending pathogens can also be done through enemas. We must realize that every coin has two sides to it even if one of the sides is temporarily hidden from view. Though a lot of eulogizing has been done with probiotics, one must not undermine the potential side effects of such a therapy, which are not well known. It is therefore important that individuals ask their doctor before taking a probiotic supplement. Probiotics are becoming an important part of the armamentarium against gastrointestinal problems in infants and children, but its benefits are modest and cannot become a panacea for gastrointestinal disease management. They can have a supportive role and not a substitute role for the other forms of medical management. Probiotic therapy may be only a battle between the good and the bad bacteria colonizing the gut and thus be a safe cost effective ‘natural’ approach that adds a barrier against microbial infection.
|
*Dr. Chetana Vaishnavi is working as Additional Professor (Med. Microbiology) Department of Gastroenterology Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, INDIA. In addition to her professional career achievements she has written eleven literary books published in English and Hindi including poetry, plays, songs, satire and jokes 1. Reflections (English poetry) 2. Ripples (English poetry) 3. Dhadkan (Hindi lyrics) 4. Hilarious Moments (Eng. satire) 5. Fragile Realm (Eng.plays) 6. Guldasta (Hindi poetry) 7. Rhyme & Reason (Eng. poetry) 8. Gunjan (Hindi poetry) 9. Better for Verse (Eng. poetry) 10. Jokes Apart (English jokes) 11. Laughing Stock (Eng. satire) 12. Kashmir - The Gordian Knot (Eng. History of J &K) (EDITOR) Please email us at: doctor.shehjar@gmail.com or at: editor.shehjar@gmail.com for any health related questions. We can publish them anonymously at your request. |
Copyrights © 2007
Shehjar online
and
KashmirGroup.com
. Any content, including but not limited to text, software, music, sound, photographs, video, graphics or other material contained may not be modified, copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded, posted, or distributed in any form or context without written permission.
Terms & Conditions.
The views expressed are solely the author's and not necessarily the views of Shehjar or its owners. Content and posts from such authors are provided "AS IS", with no warranties, and confer no rights. The material and information provided iare for general information only and should not, in any respect, be relied on as professional advice. Neither Shehjar.kashmirgroup.com nor kashmirgroup.com represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement, or other information displayed, uploaded, or distributed through the Service by any user, information provider or any other person or entity. You acknowledge that any reliance upon any such opinion, advice, statement, memorandum, or information shall be at your sole risk. |
The analysis of Probiotics in Gastronomical ailments is both revealing and educative for us all.Donot you feel that we need to make Health Watch a regular feature in shehjar Doctor?
Added By pushkar ganjoo