Probiotics, eubiotics – living microorganisms that can positively affect human health, normalize the composition and functions of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract (most often bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, capable of antagonism against pathogenic and opportunistic microbes). These are also substances of microbial or non-microbial origin, which, when administered naturally, promote homeostasis by normalizing the microflora in the body; means of maintaining the balance of intestinal microflora at the optimal level and its correction.
According to Fuller, probiotics are living microbiological food additives that infect harmful microorganisms, restoring the microbial balance of the intestine.
Probiotics contain potentially beneficial bacteria or yeast, most often lactic acid bacteria.
Lactic acid bacteria have been used in the food industry for many years because they can convert sugar (including lactose) and other carbohydrates into lactic acid. This not only provides the characteristic sour taste of lactic acid products such as kefir but also serves as a preservative, lowering the pH and creating fewer opportunities for the growth of other organisms.
The new generation of probiotics is based on genetically modified (recombinant) strains of microorganisms with specified properties.
The main groups of probiotics include:
Probiotics based on living microorganisms;
Probiotics based on metabolites or structural components of the normal microflora;
Probiotics based on compounds of microbial or other origins, which stimulate the growth and activity of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli – representatives of the normal microflora;
Probiotics based on a complex of living microorganisms, their structural components, metabolites in various combinations and compounds that stimulate the growth of normal microflora;
Probiotics based on genetically engineered strains of microorganisms, their structural components, and metabolites with specified characteristics;
Probiotic foods based on living microorganisms, their metabolites, other compounds of microbial, plant, or animal origin, able to maintain and restore health through the correction of the microbial ecology of the body.
Probiotics must meet the following requirements:
positively affect the host’s body;
do not cause side effects with prolonged use;
have a colonization potential, ie stored in the digestive tract until the maximum positive effect (be resistant to low pH, bile acids, antimicrobial substances produced by pathogenic microflora);
have stable clinical efficacy.
Function
Probiotic bacterial cultures are designed to help the body restore the damaged intestinal flora. They are recommended by doctors and nutritionists after a course of antibiotics, or as part of the treatment of diseases such as candidiasis. Many probiotics are present in natural sources, such as Lactobacillus in yogurt/kefir and sauerkraut.
To explain the reasons for the use of probiotics, it should be assumed that a healthy body has its own microbial ecosystem, known as the intestinal flora. It can be out of balance with a wide range of circumstances, including the use of antibiotics and other medications, excess alcohol, stress, disease, toxins, and even the use of antibacterial soap. In such cases, the beneficial bacteria can be destroyed or significantly reduced in number, which allows harmful bacteria to grow freely, having a detrimental effect on human health.
