Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed. They work by balancing the bacteria in the digestive system. Common probiotic foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso soup, pickles, tempeh, and kombucha tea. Research suggests that probiotics may help prevent and treat diarrhea, reduce symptoms of digestive disorders, boost immune function, and reduce the severity of allergies and eczema. However, more research is still needed to fully understand their health impacts.

1. Probiotics
PRESENTATION BY:
DR. SHIKHA THAKUR

2. Probiotics are microorganisms that are claimed to provide health benefits when consumed. The
introduction of the concept (but not the term) is generally attributed to Nobel laureate Élie Metchnikoff.
He suggested in 1907 that "the dependence of the intestinal microbes on the food makes it possible to
adopt measures to modify the flora in our bodies and to replace the harmful microbes by
Probiotics are considered generally safe, but may cause bacteria-host interactions and unwanted side
effects in rare cases.
 World Health Organization's (WHO) 2001 defines probiotics as live micro-organisms that, "...when
administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.

3. Safety of the potential probiotic should be assessed by the minimum required tests:
o Determination of antibiotic resistance patterns.
o Assessment of certain metabolic activities (e.g., D-lactate production, bile salt
deconjugation).
o Assessment of side effects during human studies.
o Epidemiological surveillance of adverse incidents in consumers (after market).
o If the strain under evaluation belongs to a species that is a known mammalian
toxin producer, it must be tested for toxin production. One possible scheme for
testing toxin production has been recommended by the EU Scientific Committee
on Animal Nutrition.
o If the strain under evaluation belongs to a species with known hemolytic
potential, determination of hemolytic activity is required.

4. How Probiotics Work

5. Potential health effects of supplemental probiotics has included the molecular biology
and genomics of Lactobacillus in immune function, cancer, and antibiotic-associated diarrhea,
travellers' diarrhea, pediatric diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and irritable bowel
syndrome.
Research suggest that the relationship between gut flora and humans is
a mutualistic relationship, very little evidence supports claims that
probiotic dietary supplements have any health benefits. Improved health
through gut flora modulation appears to be directly related to long-term
dietary changes.

6. Allergies
Probiotics are ineffective in preventing allergies in children, with the possible exception of eczema.
 Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) Antibiotics are a common treatment for children, and 20% of antibiotic-
treated children develop diarrhea results from an imbalance in the colonic microbiota caused by antibiotic therapy.
Microbiota alteration changes carbohydrate metabolism, with decreased short-chain fatty acid absorption and
osmotic diarrhea. The potential efficacy of probiotic AAD prevention depends on the probiotic strains and dosage.
 Bacterial vaginosis : Probiotic treatment of bacterial vaginosis is the application or ingestion of bacterial species
found in the healthy vagina to cure the infection of bacteria causing bacterial vaginosis. This treatment is based on
the observation that 70% of healthy females have a group of bacteria in the genus Lactobacillus that dominate the
population of organisms in the vagina. L. acidophilus and L. rhamnosus, were able to normalize vaginal pH and
rebalance vaginal flora, preventing and alleviating bacterial vaginosis.
 Blood pressure : The consumption of probiotics may modestly help to control high blood pressure.
 Cholesterol : Preliminary human and animal studies have demonstrated the efficacy of some strains of lactic acid
bacteria (LAB) for reducing serum cholesterol levels, presumably by breaking down bile in the gut, thus inhibiting
its reabsorption.
 Diarrhea : Some probiotics are suggested as a possible treatment for various forms of gastroenteritis, and a
Cochrane Collaboration meta-analysis on the use of probiotics to treat acute infectious diarrhea.
 Eczema : Probiotics are commonly given to breast-feeding mothers and their young children to prevent eczema,
but some doubt exists over the strength of evidence supporting this practice.

7. Allergies…
 Helicobacter pylori : Some strains of lactic acid bacteria may affect Helicobacter pylori infections (which may
cause peptic ulcers) in adults when used in combination with standard medical treatments, but no standard in
medical practice or regulatory approval exists for such treatment.
 Immune function and infections : Some strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) may affect pathogens by means
of competitive inhibition (i.e., by competing for growth) and some evidence suggests they may improve
immune function by increasing the number of IgA-producing plasma cells and increasing or
improving phagocytosis, as well as increasing the proportion of T lymphocytes and natural killer cells.
 Inflammation : Some strains of LAB may modulate inflammatory and hypersensitivity responses, an
observation thought to be at least in part due to the regulation of cytokine function. Clinical studies are
assessing whether they can prevent recurrences of inflammatory bowel disease in adults, as well as affect
milk allergies. How probiotics may influence the immune system remains unclear.
 Urinary tract : There is no good evidence that probiotics are of benefit in the management of infection or
inflammation of the urinary tract.
 Vitamin production : Probiotic treatment has been studied as a means of addressing disorders associated
with vitamin deficiencies including those of vitamin K, folic acid,and vitamin B12 .

8. Strains
Live probiotic cultures are available in fermented dairy products and probiotic fortified foods. Some
fermented products contain lactic acid bacteria, including pickled vegetables, tempeh, miso, kefir, buttermilk
or karnemelk, kimchi, pao cai, sauerkraut, and soy sauce.
Probiotic Foods
 Yogurt : Goat’s milk is a rich source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals while having better digestibility
and lower allergenicity than cow’s milk. Goat milk yogurt is particularly high in probiotics like
thermophillus, bifudus, and bulgaricus, and can be infused with extra forms of probiotics like
lactobacillus or acidophilus.
 Kefir : this fermented dairy product is a unique combination of goat’s milk and fermented kefir grains.
High in lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria, kefir is also rich in antioxidants.
 Sauerkraut : Made from fermented cabbage (and sometimes other vegetables), sauerkraut is not only
extremely rich in healthy live cultures, but might also help with reducing allergy symptoms. Sauerkraut is
also rich in vitamins A, B, C, and K.
 Microalgae : This refers to super-food ocean-based plants such as spirulina, chlorella, and blue-green
algae. While not a probiotic itself, microalgae can act as a prebiotic, which means that it feeds and
nourishes the probiotics already in your gut.

9. Probiotic foods…
 Miso Soup : Miso is one the mainstays of traditional Japanese medicine and is commonly
used in macrobiotic cooking as a digestive regulator. Made from fermented rye, beans, rice
or barley, adding a tablespoon of miso to some hot water makes an excellent, quick,
probiotic-rich soup, full of lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria.
 Pickles : Believe it or not, the provincial pickle packs a punch of prime
probiotics. In the U.S., the term “pickle” usually refers to pickled
cucumbers specifically, but most vegetables can be pickled. All of them
boast the same briny goodness and probiotic potential.
 Tempeh : A great substitute for meat or tofu, tempeh is a fermented,
probiotic-rich grain made from soybeans. A great source of vitamin
B12, this vegetarian food can be sauteed, baked or eaten crumbled on
salads.

10. Probiotics…
 Kimchi : An Asian form of pickled sauerkraut, kimchi is an extremely spicy
and sour fermented cabbage, typically served alongside meals in Korea.
Besides beneficial bacteria, Kimchi is also a great source of vitamin C, B
vitamins, beta-carotene, calcium, iron, potassium, and dietary fiber.
 Kombucha Tea : Kombucha is a form of fermented tea that contains a
high amount of healthy gut bacteria.[12] This probiotic drink has been used
for centuries and is believed to help increase your energy, enhance your
well-being and maybe even help you lose weight.

11. Health Benefits of Probiotics
 Probiotics Help Balance The Friendly Bacteria in Your Digestive System
 Probiotics Can Help Prevent and Treat Diarrhea
 Probiotic Supplements Improve Some Mental Health Conditions
 Certain Probiotic Strains Can Help Keep Your Heart Healthy
 Probiotics May Reduce the Severity of Certain Allergies and Eczema
 Probiotics Can Help Reduce Symptoms of Certain Digestive Disorders
 Probiotics May Help Boost Your Immune System
 Probiotics May Help You Lose Weight and Belly Fat

12. Probiotics…