Probiotics Case Study

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1. INTRODUCTION TO PROBIOTICS Probiotics was introduced in the early 20th century but it was not defined until the 1960s. According to Fooks and others (1999), the term probiotic is derived from two Greek words that are for life. Lilley and Stillwell (1965) first defined the term as a microbial substance that stimulated the growth of other microorganisms. According to them, probiotics are totally opposite to that of antibiotics. Parker (1974) provided a different view and defined it as organisms and substances that contribute to intestinal microbial balance. Fuller (1989) defined probiotics as a food supplement of live microbes that has favorable effects on the host as it improves the balance of intestinal microbes. Havenaar and Huis in’t Veld broadened this scope and several others have made numerous definitions of probiotics. According to World Health Organization (2001), the probiotics are the live microorganisms that include bacterial and yeast strains like Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces cereviciae, etc. which provide certain health benefits to the host when consumed in appropriate amounts. In food industry, the term is aptly described as ‘live microbial …show more content…

PROBIOTICS IN MEDICAL PRACTICE A meta-analysis of some controlled trails has proved that probiotics are effective in preventing antibiotic associated diarrhea [23], including the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii and bacterium lactobacillus acidophilus in combination with L. bulgaricus. A variety of probiotics like lactobacillus species, enterococcus species , etc are effective in the treatment of diarrhea in both adults and children by reducing the mean duration of the diseases by more than 30 hr [24]. Probiotic therapy has also been examined in non gastrointestinal diseases, including the treatment and prevention of atopic eczema [25]. Nevertheless some facts suggest that the major clinical effects of probiotics are seen in gastrointestinal disorders. RISK ASSOCIATED WITH PROBIOTICS

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