Probiotics are foods or supplements that have been enhanced with or contain living microbes. An example is yogurt supplemented with the lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus. These kinds of bacteria flourish in the human gut. They are hypothesized to out-compete disease-causing organisms, thus improving the digestion of food.
As food is better digested, there are fewer side effects from eating. The amount of gas and flatulence can be greatly reduced. It is also healthier to consume probiotics. As the food is better digested, the health of the individual improves. Such bacteria are also thought to affect the immune system.
The bacteria introduced in probiotics are similar to the ones found naturally inside humans. Each person has their own individual mixture of bacteria, however. It is impossible to exactly replicate this mixture.
The use of probiotic bacteria and other microorganisms is extremely complex. Effects seen with one strain may not be seen with other closely related strains. This makes the study of the effects of these organisms difficult.
One food that is commonly sold as a probiotic is enhanced yogurt, which is being heavily promoted at the moment. A common use for these supplemental bacteria is when antibiotics are being taken. Taking these drugs can kill of the friendly bacteria in the gut. Eating probioticly enhanced food can replace these bacteria, so the balance of the body’s internal ecosystem is not displaced too badly.
There is also research into whether or not introducing probiotic organisms into the body can stop the growth of pathogen bacteria. Pathogens inhabit many areas of the body, ranging from the gut to the stomach, the teeth and gums, the skin, and the lungs. There is a flourishing microbial ecosystem in each of these areas. If it is possible to alter the growth of microorganisms in favor of those beneficial to humans, that could greatly increase human health.
