A REVIEW ON ''PROBIOTICS: THEIR POTENTIAL IMPACT ON HUMAN HEALTH''

Amreen Fatima*

ABSTRACT

Probiotics are “the live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. Probiotics are often called "good" or "helpful" bacteria because they help keep our gut healthy. Probiotics are naturally found in our body. We can also find them in some foods and supplements. When we lose "good" bacteria in our body (like after you take antibiotics, for example), probiotics can help replace them. They can help balance our "good" and "bad" bacteria to keep our body working like it should. Most probiotics fall into the group of organisms' known as lactic acid-producing bacteria and are normally consumed in the form of yogurt, fermented milks or other fermented foods. Some of the beneficial effect of lactic acid bacteria consumption include: (i) improving intestinal tract health; (ii) enhancing the immune system, synthesizing and enhancing the bioavailability of nutrients; (iii) reducing symptoms of lactose intolerance, decreasing the prevalence of allergy in susceptible individuals; and (iv) reducing risk of certain cancers. The mechanisms by which probiotics exert their effects are largely unknown, but may involve modifying gut pH, antagonizing pathogens through production of antimicrobial compounds, competing for pathogen binding and receptor sites as well as for available nutrients and growth factors, stimulating immunomodulatory cells, and producing lactase. Recent scientific investigation has supported the important role of probiotics as a part of a healthy diet for human as well as for animals and may be an avenue to provide a safe, cost effective, and 'natural' approach that adds a barrier against microbial infection. There are more evidence for the use of Probiotic as therapeutic substance for the treatment of different disorders like gastrointestinal infections, allergy, inflammatory bowel syndrome, pouchitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s disease, diarrhea, Colon cancer, etc., with dairy and non- dairy products. Probiotic not only beneficiary for humans, it is also used for animal health.

Keywords: Probiotics, Gastrointestinal tract, lactic acid, therapeutic agent.