Probiotics are microorganisms that affect the intestinal microflora and trigger beneficial effects by strengthening the immune system. They are good and friendly microorganisms. It makes positive contributions to human health. It is added to foods as an additive (mostly yogurt). It could be bacteria, yeast, mold. The most common are lactic acid bacteria.
Prebiotics are carbohydrates that contribute positively to human health and have a positive effect on large intestine bacteria.
Synbiotics are foods, nutrients or additives in which prebiotics and probiotics are used together to achieve a synergistic effect.
Probiotics are becoming increasingly important due to the increasing human population and increasing food needs. Especially in developed countries, with the decrease in traditional food production and the increase in industrial production, it has started to be the subject of more research.
Table of contents
- 1 What are the general characteristics of probiotic microorganisms?
- 2 What are the microorganisms used in the production of probiotics?
- 3 How do probiotics show their effects?
- 4 Are probiotics safe?
- 5 In which diseases are probiotics used?
- 6 Other uses of probiotics include:
- 7 What should be considered when using probiotics?
What are the general characteristics of probiotic microorganisms?
- It is of human origin,
- It is not pathogenic,
- Resists stomach acid and bile,
- Adheres to intestinal epithelial tissues, colonizes in the gastrointestinal tract,
- It produces antimicrobial compounds, prevents food from spoiling, is protected from the negative effects of pathogenic microorganisms,
- Strengthens the immune system,
- It maintains its vitality in the gastrointestinal tract,
- Resistant to technological processes,
What are the microorganisms used in the production of probiotics?
The most common species are lactic acid bacteria. These include lactobacillus and bifidobacterium.
- Lactobacillus spp. (Lactobacillus cellobiosus, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactobacillus brevis Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus curvatus Lactobacillus fermetum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus jonhsoniticobacillus, Lactobacillus fermetum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus jonhsoniticobacillus, Lactobacillus, Lactobactusheli, Lactobacillus
- Bifidobacterium species (Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum Bifidobacterium thermophilum),
- Bacillus species (Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus lentus, Bacillus licheniformis Bacillus coagulans),
- Pediococcus species (Pediococcus cerevisiae, Pediococcus acidilactici Pediococcus pentosaceus),
- Streptococcus species (Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus, Streptococcus intermedius),
- Bacteriodes species (Bacteriodes capillus, Bacteriodes suis, Bacteriodes ruminicola Bacteriodes amylophilus),
- Propionibacterium species (Propionibacterium shermanii, Propionibacterium freudenreichii),
- Leuconostoc species (Leuconostoc mesenteroides ssp. Mesenteroides),
- Molds (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae),
- Yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida torulopsis).
How do probiotics show their effects?
- It reduces intestinal pH by producing organic acids such as lactic acid, acetic acid, formic acid. It narrows the habitat for the pathogenic bacteria. It shows antibacterial properties. In this way, it reduces the number of pathogenic bacteria.
- It prevents the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria by consuming the nutrients they need to multiply.
- It adheres to intestinal epithelial cells and prevents the attachment of pathogenic bacteria.
- It helps to strengthen the immune system by affecting leukocytes, lymphocytes and other helper immune cells in the blood.
- It reduces the risk of cancer formation by preventing mutations in the intestines and other cells.
- It helps to reduce cholesterol levels by breaking down bile salts and removing them from the body and preventing the production of new bile salts.
- It helps to correct diarrhea caused by antibiotics by reducing intestinal microflora.
- It facilitates digestion with the production of digestive enzymes and B vitamins.
Are probiotics safe?
Probiotics produced in line with WHO criteria are quite reliable products in the light of available information. Microorganisms to be used as probiotics are added to foods after long researches.
Microorganisms of which no strains have been identified as pathogens are preferred. Bacteria, of which a strain has been identified as a pathogen, are allowed to be used as probiotics if they undergo very detailed investigations.
The strain permitted as a probiotic must be well defined and well studied.
In which diseases are probiotics used?
Probiotics lower cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of heart disease.
It is used as part of the treatment in food allergy.
It prevents urogenital infections and reduces the risk of recurrence.
Other uses of probiotics include:
Lactose intolerance: It is the accumulation of fluid, electrolyte and gas in the intestine due to the decrease of lactase enzyme, which can develop due to digestive system diseases or antibiotic use. Probiotics release lactase by the breakdown of bile salts. With long-term use, it completely cures lactose intolerant patients or reduces symptoms.
Diarrhea: It reduces the pathological microorganisms that cause diarrhea. The use of probiotics in patients receiving antibiotic treatment or radiotherapy reduces diarrhea complaints.
Helicobacter pylori infections: Gastritis is the causative agent of pectic ulcer. Probiotics inhibit the proliferation of helicobacter pylori. There are studies claiming that it gives more effective results in gastritis and ulcer patients compared to patients receiving triple therapy.
Crohn’s disease: Some probiotics have been shown to prevent recurrence of Crohn’s lesions after surgery.
Ulcerative Colitis: Some probiotics give effective results in the treatment of the disease.
Irritable bowel syndrome: Probiotics have been shown to help control abdominal pain and irregular bowel movements.
Cancer: It is effective in preventing the formation of cancer by methods such as strengthening the immune system, inhibiting the production and distribution of carcinogenic cells through the intestine, and preventing the transformation of precancerous cells into carcinogenic types.
What should be considered when using probiotics?
Probiotics are used under the supervision of a doctor as part of the treatment in some diseases. The use of probiotics should not prevent the doctor’s controls and the intake of other treatments. Probiotics are food, not medicine.
Foods containing probiotics do not go through as intense tests as drugs, and they are not under such intense follow-up. The label and the content of the product sold may not be the same.
Probiotics can have some side effects (such as pain in the pelvic area). In addition, studies in this area are still continuing. There will be matters that are not clarified. For this reason, it should be used under the supervision of a doctor, like all other supplements.