Probiotics for life

Studies show that receiving the infant formula with Streptococcus thermophiles and Bifidobacterium Bb12 supplement led to a significant increase of height and weight in children, compared to the other group of children who had been receiving the infant formula without supplement. Thus, it can be concluded that probiotics have a beneficial effect on the development of a child (1). The relation observed is likely the result of the restoration of homeostasis within the intestinal microflora as well as the increase of the efficiency of protein digestion when enzymes of bacterial origin are present. The improvement of metabolism favors a better use of nutrients and, consequently, an acceleration of physical development.

Probiotics may play a vital role in reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in newborn infants. This is a major problem, especially among children born prematurely, with low birth weight. It is estimated that it concerns even up to 30% of the members this group. The high mortality rate and the fact that the etiology of NEC still remains unclear makes the disease an important clinical problem. It is believed that most likely the development of inflammation results from a compilation of several factors: the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, and the change in both the nature of the intestinal mucous membrane and the method of feeding after birth. The potential contribution of a bacterial agent to the pathogenesis of the disease has prompted scientists to reach for probiotics. A reduced number of lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium was observed in premature infants. Subsequently, a preparation containing the strains of Lactobacillus acidophillus and Bifidobacterium infantis was administered to these newborns. It was proven to be highly effective: a significantly smaller number of deaths and reduced severity of enterocolitis in children receiving live bacterial strains (2). As the authors of the study explain, these effects were possible thanks to the antagonistic activity of probiotics against certain pathogens: some strains of E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, or Candida albicans. It should be noted, however, that the use of the probiotic therapy alone did not allow for the complete elimination of NEC, which confirms that it is in fact a multifactorial disease.

There are reports indicating the effectiveness of probiotics in children with autism. They suffer from chronic digestive tract complaints, and stool cultures show an increase in the number of Clostridium spp. A thesis has been proposed which claims that enterotoxins produced by some species of pathogen can directly or indirectly affect the development of autism. Administering a probiotic to children with this condition significantly contributed to the improvement of their powers of concentration and attention, compared with the group which had been receiving a placebo formula (3). There are analyses being conducted that focus on the use of probiotics in the prevention of the so-called “civilization diseases,” such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and obesity. Probiotic strains have a positive effect on lipid and cholesterol metabolism by improving the metabolism of bile acids and lipids in the liver (as the result of the changes in enzyme activity). Moreover, they influence the release of some entero-hormones and hormones, e.g., insulin. Thanks to these properties, they regulate carbohydrate metabolism and the parameters of blood coagulation. Furthermore, there are reports of the probiotics’ ability to induce antiproliferative effect and their effect on the formation of cytoprotective substances (short-chain fatty acids, polyamides). Probiotic bacteria convert reduced estrone into active estradiol which is important in the prevention of breast cancer in women (they increase the biological activity of estrogen). They play a detoxificative and anticarcinogenic role degrading nitrosamines, mutagens and carcinogens, which may be important in the prevention of both gastric cancer and Large intestine cancer.

No doubt the probiotic therapy is currently experiencing a great renaissance. The benefits of using probiotic strains are indisputable. Hence the inevitable questions about the safety of this type of therapy. After all, the products in question contain live microorganisms that theoretically are capable of inducing infections.

In the FAO-WHO report on the safety of probiotics it is emphasized that the very few documented cases of infections with a probiotic strain occurred only in predisposed individuals. Currently, there is no evidence of the use of this type of supplementation causing risks to humans. Undisputable benefits of the probiotic therapy prompt scientists to test its effectiveness against other diseases. Probiotics do not only affect the intestinal microflora – they also regulate numerous physiological processes. It is no exaggeration to say that probiotics have a positive effect on the entire organism of the consumer. Further analysis is required to determine the clinical usefulness of the specific probiotic strains, during which they will be administered in the most efficient, fixed doses.

Perhaps the future lies in the probiotic therapy being determined individually for every patient. For the best effect is achieved through providing the body with exactly these microorganisms whose number in the intestinal ecosystem is insufficient. Therefore, a choice of a probiotic preparation should be preceded by a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the intestinal microflora (number of bacteria / g feces). It seems that the choice of a probiotic strain preceded by a comprehensive study of a patient’s intestinal microflora may become a milestone in the development of probiosis.

1. 1. Nopchinda S., Varavithya W., Phuapradit P., Sangchai R., Suthutvoravut U.: Effect of Bifidobacterium Bb12 with or without Streptococcus thermophilus supplemented formula on nutrition status. J Med Assoc Thai 2002; 85: 1225 – 1231

Yeh T., Oh W.: Oral Probiotics Reduce the Incidence and Severity of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Very Low Birth Weight Infants. Pediatr; 2005;115;1-4 

Gibson G.: Advancing Paternal Age and Autism. Gen Psych 2006; 63:1026-1032