The Disagreements Over the Health Effects of Probiotics Essay

Our formula also contains prebiotics. These guys are what feed the good microbes and help them repopulate. So, while the probiotic is kicking the bad microbes’ butt, our prebiotics, which use a unique combination of Mannan-oligosaccharide (don’t even try to pronounce it) feed the good guys helping them do their job more efficiently.

The health benefits of maintaining bacteria in the gut are a topic of interest. Grocery store shelves are stocked with probiotic goods such

- It improves digestion and gut health with digestive enzymes, prebiotics and probiotics that ensure immediate absorption and immunity.

Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is an anaerobic, Gram-positive, bacillus-shaped bacterium that causes the disease Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI). One of the reasons this particular species is so successful and disease-causing is because it possesses the ability to form spores, which makes it very difficult to eradicate, as these spores are able to survive extreme conditions. C. difficile flourishes in the gastrointestinal tracts of individuals who have been prescribed broad spectrum antibiotics, as these tend to disrupt the normal microbiota. If an individual has previously contracted CDI, the likelihood of future infection(s) is more likely than if it were never contracted, at a rate of ~35%. The aim of this study, which is actually the first of its kind, is to utilize the probiotic Lactobacillus casei Shirota (L. casei Shirota) to attempt to suppress the recurrence of CDI after an initial infection. Probiotics contain a live strain(s) of “healthy” bacteria that help rather than harm an individual, and they work by competing with C. difficile’s

Dietary fiber is a source of carbohydrate that has benefits for intestinal health. It plays a role in the prevention of disease in the intestine and even throughout the body, such as obesity, type II diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (10). Furthermore, when the bacteria in the gut ferment the fiber, metabolites are produced, which benefit the body. Short chain fatty acids are one major end product of this carbohydrate metabolism, which act to lower the colon’s pH, inhibiting pathogenic bacteria from growing. Some other metabolites include lactate, succinate and formate. Lactate is converted to butyrate by the bacteria in the gut, which induces mucin synthesis, which is a glycoprotein that maintains the gut epithelium integrity. Butyrate also acts to prevent bacterial transport across the epithelium and increases tight junction assembly (11). What this means, is that the fermentation of fiber allows these beneficial metabolites to be produced, causing a cascade of reactions that promote health and gut integrity. This shows the complex beneficial interaction between gut microbiota and fiber intake and its role in promoting health.

In 1953, Kollath introduced the term ‘probiotic’. Etymologically, the term ‘probiotic’ is originated from the hybridization of Greek words ‘προ’ and ‘βιοτος’, which brough the meaning of ‘for life’. In 1953, the term ‘probiotic’ was introduced by Kollath as “organic and inorganic supplements necessary to restore health to patients suffering a form of malnutrition resulting from eating too much highly refined food” (Hamilton-Miller et al., 2003). The probiotic word has evolved throughout the years. As indicated by the World Health Organization (WHO), probiotics are characterized as "live microorganisms that able to provide advantage to the host when consume in adequate amount (World Health Organization [WHO], 2001). Probiotics also classified

has been studied on disease association with altered gut microbiota. The various species of Bifidobacterium which have been used as probiotics are B. bifidum, B. breve, B.lactis, B. longum, B. infantis and B. adolescentis [3]. It is important to note that all the species of Bifidobacteriumare not beneficial. Also, the species which have been used as probiotics have also been reported to cause infections especially in neonates and immunocompromised individuals (See Table 1). The case reports of Bifidobacterium sp. as significant pathogens are enlisted in Table

In this week’s discussion, I will be speaking on Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium animalis is a gram-positive, anaerobic, bacterium where it can be found in the large intestines (www.probiotic.org). This organism is called a type of probiotic, or bacteria that works to promote a healthy digestive tract. Bifidobacterium animalis is considered a probiotics, Probiotics is a bacteria brought into the body for all of its qualities. Probiotics competes between the food and space to help keep up a digestive balance. The type of creature Bifidobacterium animalis is a bacterium. As I was doing my research I read that it helps bacteria from growing in the digestive system and that also it fights so you do not catch a cold, infections or even

The human gut as an environment is very complex, sensitive and hostile. However these microorganisms are able to adapt and evolve with the changes of our body in order to survive. The gastrointestinal tract is sterile at birth, but colonisation naturally begins within a few hours of birth when Methanobrevibacter Smithii along with over 500 other distinct species of bacteria [1] are digested from their mothers milk and generally hand to mouth contact. The human guts microflora is established at three to four weeks of age, when the bacteria have colonised the colon. [2]

Greek yogurt is a great source of probiotics. What’s so great about probiotics? They are tiny little microorganisms that help improve digestion and protect your gut from harmful bacteria. Research has shown that probiotics can help treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome, diarrhea, Crohn’s disease, and other gastrointestinal disorders. They can also help promote regular bowel movements.

Some benefits can also benefit the product itself. Like many other lactic acid bacteria lactobacillus plantarum229v releases lactic acid if in dairy based product lactic acid might bring a negative side effect of giving it a crude rancid taste and smell in juices with a sour taste like orange, black current, and mango these lactic acid give or enhance the taste. According to a 2006 study of comparison of both probiotic and non-probiotic juice, juices containing lactobacillus plantarum yields a higher mark with emphasis on them being more fragrant and tasteful. Another side effect of these lactic acid is that the lactobacillus plantarum uses the lactic acid to control competing microorganism this affects the product by giving it a longer shelf life without any excessive amount of sugar and or any other added preservative.it is also worth mentioning that by eliminating the need of any preservative production cost can be cut down significantly and the product can now avoid any problems based on the use of

Probiotics, literally meaning pro life, is the name given to a group of live beneficial microorganisms found today in many foods as well as in supplement form. Examples of probiotics include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidum bacterium and Bifidus regularis. Our bodies are already comprised of the beneficial microorganisms found in probiotics but external factors often significantly reduce or eliminate

To develop the clinical interest further, the section could have included information regarding what probiotic supplements are and their benefits, such as “probiotics are defined as live micro-organisms that confer a health benefit on the host when administered in adequate amount” (King, Glanville, Sanders, Fitzgerald & Varley, 2014).

Probiotics help keep a balance between microorganisms in the intestine. They are especially beneficial to people who have digestive problems. The GI tract acts as a barrier against food and microorganism that may have entered the body. The response of probiotics or other microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract depends on the development of the microflora. Most of the effects we see from probiotics are brought about through immune regulation and cytokines. Probiotics can be used to normalize gut mucosal dysfunction, decrease inflammation, and decrease sensitive reactions (CITE). Probiotics also keep the gut healthy; thus, ensuring the immune system functions well. Epithelial intestinal tissue’s main role is protecting the intestines from harmful microbes and is dependent upon gut flora. In order for new epithelial lining to be made, adequate amounts of gut flora must be available for the body to access. Therefore, maintaining the proper balance of epithelial tissue is reliant on probiotics since probiotics increase the lifespan of the tissue cells. Probiotics can also enhance the body’s innate immunity, this helps lessen the amount of inflammation in the GI tract

One mechanism probiotics employ is competition with pathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. They may compete for binding sites, growth factors and nutrition; thereby having an antagonistic effect against the pathogenic bacteria. Growth of pathogenic bacteria is inhibited due to the limited availability of resources and this may eventually lead to death (Rastogi et al. 2011).