Live probiotic
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The Role and Benefits of Live Probiotics
Introduction to Live Probiotics
Live probiotics are microorganisms that, when ingested in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. These benefits are primarily attributed to their ability to modulate gut microbiota, enhance immune responses, and improve overall gut health2 6. Common strains used as probiotics include lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria, which are often found in fermented foods and dietary supplements2 4.
Mechanisms of Action of Live Probiotics
Gut Microbiota Modification
One of the primary mechanisms by which live probiotics exert their beneficial effects is through the modification of gut microbiota. Probiotics can enhance the population of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroidetes and Lactobacillus spp., while reducing harmful bacteria like Enterobacteriaceae1. This alteration in gut flora helps maintain a balanced microbial environment, which is crucial for digestive health and overall well-being2 4.
Competitive Adherence and Barrier Strengthening
Probiotics compete with pathogenic microorganisms for adherence to the mucosa and epithelium, thereby preventing the colonization of harmful bacteria. They also strengthen the gut epithelial barrier, which is essential for preventing the translocation of pathogens and maintaining gut integrity2 4.
Immune System Modulation
Probiotics interact with the host's immune system through pattern recognition receptors such as toll-like receptors. This interaction modulates key signaling pathways, enhancing or suppressing immune responses to maintain a balanced immune function. This is particularly beneficial in reducing inflammation and preventing infections2 9.
Health Benefits of Live Probiotics
Growth Performance and Lipid Metabolism
In animal studies, such as those conducted on broilers, live probiotics like Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 have been shown to improve growth performance and lipid metabolism. These probiotics decrease serum triglyceride and low-density lipid cholesterol levels, reduce abdominal fat deposition, and enhance the overall digestive ability by improving intestinal development1.
Prevention and Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders
Live probiotics have demonstrated efficacy in preventing and treating various gastrointestinal disorders, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea, Clostridium difficile infections, and traveler's diarrhea. Specific strains like Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG have shown significant promise in clinical trials9.
Immune Function Enhancement
Probiotics can modulate immune functions, providing protection against inflammatory diseases such as colitis and allergic conditions like asthma and allergic rhinitis. They achieve this by downregulating inflammatory cytokines and inducing regulatory mechanisms that help maintain immune homeostasis10.
Safety and Efficacy Concerns
Risks Associated with Live Probiotics
While live probiotics offer numerous health benefits, their safety profile is not without concerns. Potential risks include systemic infections due to translocation, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, and the acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes. These risks necessitate careful selection and monitoring of probiotic strains, especially in vulnerable populations5 6 7.
Alternatives to Live Probiotics
To mitigate the risks associated with live probiotics, there is growing interest in using non-viable microorganisms or microbial cell extracts, such as heat-killed probiotics. These alternatives can confer similar health benefits, including immunomodulatory effects and protection against enteropathogens, without the associated risks of live organisms5 8.
Conclusion
Live probiotics play a crucial role in maintaining gut health, enhancing immune function, and preventing various gastrointestinal disorders. However, their use must be carefully considered, especially in vulnerable populations, due to potential safety concerns. Ongoing research and clinical trials are essential to fully understand the mechanisms of action and to develop safer and more effective probiotic therapies.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Live Probiotic Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 Promotes Growth Performance and Lowers Fat Deposition by Improving Lipid Metabolism, Intestinal Development, and Gut Microflora in Broilers
Live probiotic Lactobacillus johnsonii BS15 supplementation improves growth performance and lowers fat deposition in broilers by enhancing lipid metabolism, intestinal development, and gut microflora.
RCT
Animal Study
Highly CitedProbiotic Mechanisms of Action
Probiotics provide health benefits by altering gut microbiota, strengthening gut epithelial barrier, and modulating immune system, with potential therapeutic applications in various diseases.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedA successful history: probiotics and their potential as antimicrobials
Probiotics show potential as supportive therapy for certain clinical conditions, especially infectious diseases, despite some concerns about their safety and efficacy.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedSurvival and therapeutic potential of probiotic organisms with reference to Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp.
Inclusion of probiotic bacteria in fermented dairy products enhances their therapeutic value, but ensuring their viability and survival during manufacture and storage is crucial for their therapeutic benefits.
Highly CitedProbiotic microbes: do they need to be alive to be beneficial?
Probiotics can provide health benefits without the risks associated with live organisms, making them a safer option for use in gastrointestinal diseases.
Highly CitedProbiotic Safety-No Guarantees.
Probiotic supplements have not been fully established as safe and effective for general health, and their widespread use may present risks, such as opportunistic infections and allergic reactions, without robust evidence.
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedMicroorganisms with Claimed Probiotic Properties: An Overview of Recent Literature
Probiotics, especially those from Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera, show health benefits for healthy individuals, but caution is needed for immunocompromised patients and those with leaky guts.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedHealth Benefits of Heat-Killed (Tyndallized) Probiotics: An Overview
Heat-killed (tyndallized) probiotics offer immunomodulatory effects, protection against enteropathogens, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity, with advantages over live probiotics due to their safety profile.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedProbiotics: "living drugs".
Probiotics show potential in preventing and treating various infections, potentially decreasing antimicrobial exposure and promoting gut health.
Highly CitedProbiotics and immunity
Probiotics can provide health benefits by modulating immune functions, potentially protecting against colitis, allergen sensitization, asthma, and allergic rhinitis.
Rigorous JournalHighly Cited