https://www.csapakistan.com/2023/06/06/health-benefits-of-probiotics/
Health benefits of probiotics
Abrar Hussain
International
center for chemical and biological science, University of Karachi, Karachi Pakistan.
Email:
abrarhussain0307@gmail.com
Introduction
According to WHO and FAO (2001)
probiotics are “live
microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health
benefit on the host”. This definition was also accepted
with little modification by ISAPP in 2013. As the term introduced into the
scientific world the researcher start to dig out the every aspect of these
bacteria for instance, scientist proposed selection criteria, identified proposed
mechanism of action, health benefits and their legislation. Here, we will focus
only on the health benefits of probiotics.
Spectrum range of probiotics
benefits
The start of health benefits are
dated back to 1987, when there was a paper focusing on the general properties
of Lactobacillus GG and hence start a new era in the scientific world [1*] [1]. Probiotics have various health
benefits on host ranging from rare effect, which is mostly restricted to strain
specificity, to wide spread benefits as shown by the available probiotics. The
spectrum of health benefits of probiotics are shown here.
Figure.1. the spectrum benefits of probiotics
Similarly, probiotics which are
considered as future medicine (probiotic therapy) have the potential to be used
as medicine for the treatment of various diseases. According to one review more
than 2000 clinical studies were conducted for their health benefits [2]. Due to their versatility,
viability and resistance to harsh gut conditions, make them a very suitable
health promoting agents. Mechanistically the health benefits of probiotics are
mostly related to their various formulation, gut colonization ability,
tolerance property and the production of antimicrobial substance. It is
important to note that probiotic health benefits are not restricted to be
scientifically proven on human [2]. It is also stated that the
health benefits of probiotics are strains specific so we cannot make a
generalized statement.
The health benefits of probiotics
are explained as follow:
1- Benefits of Probiotics for Gut
Health
The gut contain approximately 500
to 1000 different bacterial species which make a total population of 1014.
This huge gut microbiota can influence the physiology of the gut and through enteric
nervous system can also affect the mood and other physiological functions of
the host [3]. The probiotics can help the gut
health by the following ways.
A: balancing gut microflora
Balance in the gut microbiota is
required for the normal physiological function of the host and any ups and downs
can lead to various complications. Probiotics can help to keep this microbial
balance and help to enhance to gut related functions.
B: Decrease the indications of
digestive disorders
Diverse digestive disorders like, diarrhea,
constipation, bloating and gas etc. are mostly associated with gut
microorganism [2]. The probiotic bacteria can help
to reduce the symptoms and frequency of such disorders.
2- Probiotics for mental health [3]
It is scientifically proven that
the gut and the brain have a steady communication with each other. This
“gut-brain axis” effects many mental related health conditions and play role in
pathophysiology of anxiety [4]. The probiotics can helping the
mind and brains as;
A. help to treat mental issues
Recent research showed that the
external physiology of the human is also influenced by their gut microbiota.
These bacteria can produce different neurotransmitters which help the
individual in sleep, mood controlling bladder and even heart function. As
stress can disturb this microbiota, which lead to affect the function of neurotransmitters.
Thus, probiotic supplements can help to restore the gut microbiome during and
after periods of stress conditions which ultimately improve the host mood,
sleep, and cognitive functions.
B. Effect of probiotics on aging
(longevity) [3]
Different biological process like regulation
of metabolism, oxidative stress and homeostasis can help to relate the gut
microbiome with aging of the host. The probiotics supplements can make these
processes better in help in the longevity of the host.
3- Benefits for the Immune System [3]
The most important function of
probiotics are considered as they help to boost the immune system of the host.
The probiotics help the immune system by following way.
A. improve the host immunity
Probiotics can improve the host
immunity by the induction of toll-like receptors (TLR-2), increased IgA production
and lower the gut flora which can produce inflammatory cytokines. It is stated
that high number of immune cells are found in the gut which is affected during
illness. Taking probiotics supplements can restore these gut flora and thus
make them normal. Similarly by fighting with gut pathogens the probiotic can
also decrease the severity of disease.
B. help the host to protect from
antibiotic resistance
The presence of good bacteria in
the gut can fight with the enteric pathogens but the usage of antibiotics can
reduce these bacteria and thus lower their anti-pathogenic properties. As
probiotics are free from antibiotics resistance (selection criteria) make them
enable to restore the gut populations.
C. probiotics and allergies
It is evident that probiotics may
develop an immunity in infants and make them safe from allergies. Similarly
enhancement in the mucosal surface, which is involved in allergic response
modulation is also achieved by the use of probiotics. Similarly probiotic
potential is also extend to treat food allergies [2] [5].
4- Health benefits for Individual [11]
Probiotics can show variable
beneficial effects on male and female.
A. Benefits for female
Probiotics supplementation are
considered safe and helpful during pregnancy. It also help to promote the
health of infant and mother. The commercial probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus
HN001 helping in female vaginal health [3].
B. Benefits for male
Interestingly it is found that
more strains show beneficial effects on male then female. It is shown that in
male the probiotics can help to increase testosterone amount and the quality of
sperm in those who have the issues of infertility.
C. Benefits for younger
In children loose stool can be
treated with probiotics supplementation, as it reduce the duration of diarrhea
symptoms in children.
D. Benefits for elders
Generally the gut microbiome is
disturbed by physical activity, diet and medicine etc. and all these are
greatly associated with age [3]. In elder person the probiotics
supplements can not only restore such misbalance of the gut but also enhance
their memory and focus.
5-
Health benefits in animals
The probiotic
benefits are not only restricted to human usage but they can also help animals
in a verities of ways; like [6]
1-
Probiotic have proven effect to improve growth in animlas
like chickens, pegs, sheep, goat etc.
2-
Milk production is also found more in probiotic supplemnts
given animals.
3-
The high demand of meat is also achieved by the use of
probiotics in animals.
4-
The production and quality of eggs are also increased while
consuming probiotics.
5-
Probiotic also protect animls from pathogens and enhance
their immune system.
6- Miscellaneous Benefits of
Probiotics
Besides the above mentioned health
benefits of probiotics, there are some less studied health benefits which need
to be dig out in more details. These include;
1- As probiotics increase the good
bacteria in the gut, which in turn help in the absorption of nutrients, hence
probiotic can also aid in the absorption of energy.
2- The gut flora, probiotics can
absorb energy from the food which indirectly cause loss in weight [3]
3- The probiotics supplements can
help to treat the liver associated disorder like non-alcoholic fatty liver
disease (NAFLD) by restoring the gut microflora [3].
4- Cholesterol which is mostly
associated with heart health are also reduced by probiotics, thus helping to
keep our heart healthy.
5- Probiotics benefits for skin
health is also identified as they reduce the symptom of atopic dermatitis in
toddlers [3].
6- Probiotics can regulate the
inflammatory chemicals in the gut and helping to decrease inflammation. Similarly
probiotics can reduce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and help to
reduce the risk of chronic disease.
7- The effectiveness of vaccine is
also considered the benefits of probiotics as they boost up the immune
response.
8- Hair loss and acne is also
prevented via probiotic supplementation [4].
9- Probiotics can also reduce glucose
level and insulin resistance and thus help in the regulation of blood pressure [7]
10- Incorporation of probiotics in
dairy products can lower acidic condition in mouth and aid to dental health [7] [8].
11- Probiotics can also help in voice
prosthesis as they help in the eradication of pathogens [7]
12- Probiotics can elevate the
symptoms of AIDS, cancer and respiratory infections [9]
13- Probiotics can also help to
increase the production of chicken by fighting with pathogenic bacteria [10]
Conclusion:
Probiotics are
the live microorganism which have proven health benefits on human and other
animals. The overall physiology of the animals are mostly related to the gut
microbiome and the probiotic have the capability to remian not only active in
the gut, but can also have the proven abality to restore any misbalence in
these microbes. The health benefits of probiootics are ranging from decrese
symptoms of diseases, to restore the gut microbiome and to elevete some
physiological conditions.
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