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Basic concepts / Probiotics
Probiotics
An optimal microflora balance in the intestine is essential for keeping all these functions, as well as for the health of the host. This balance can be disturbed by some factors, such as the use of antibiotics, diarrhoea, stress or an unbalanced diet. Disrupting the balance creates a risk of lowering the levels of beneficial intestinal bacteria, and that the pathogenic bacteria would become dominant.
Interest in the role of probiotics for human health dates back to the beginning of the 20th century (1908), when the Nobel Prize winning Russian scientist Elie Metchnikoff linked the long, healthy life of Bulgarian peasants to their high intake of fermented milk products containing lactic acid producing microorganisms. His hypothesis was that the lactic acid bacteria in the fermented milk could displace undesirable bacteria normally present in the intestine, resulting in a healthier life. He stated that the responsible was the "Bulgarian bacillus" in the yogurt.
Nowadays, this "Bulgarian bacillus" is called Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and it is used in the production of the yogurt.
Although the interest in probiotics dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, it is only in recent years that a considerable progress has been made on identifying its potentially beneficial roles in the human health.
In recent years, the studies of the health benefits that result from ingesting probiotics and the mechanisms of action of probiotics have become an active field of research.
Each strain and/or combination of strains must be assessed for its own health benefits proven by clinical trial because different strains of probiotics have different properties(1).
The survival of the probiotic strain throughout the entire digestive tract of the host is not currently part of the definition, but it is considered, an important criterion for determining whether a given probiotic strain is in fact able to exert its health effects. Indeed during the course of gastrointestinal transit, bacterial strains undergo drastic physiological stress (acidity, digestive enzymes and bile salts), which affects their survival and so their health benefits.
The human gastrointestinal tract contains an average of 1014 microorganisms, varying from more than 1.000 different species . While the majority of these bacteria are non-pathogenic, some may potentially cause diseases. In healthy individuals, when the intestinal flora is in balance, both beneficial and harmful microorganisms (pathogens) are present. This microflora has a symbiotic relationship with the host organism and protects the body against infections, assists digestion, produces nutrients, and plays an important role in the immune system.
