The information below provides a general overview of the potential health benefits/uses, mechanisms of action, and safety of probiotics.
According to a definition developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO), probiotics are "live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on
the host."1
The use of live microorganisms in the diet has a long history. The original scientific observation of the potential health benefits of some selected bacteria was made by Eli Metchnikoff (a Russian scientist, Nobel laureate, and professor at the Pasteur Institute in Paris) over a century ago.1,2 The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) states that "The concept of probiotics has been around for over 100 years, but scientists are just starting to understand their role in maintaining health, regulating the immune system, and managing disease."3
Today, probiotics are available to consumers mainly in the form of dietary supplements and foods.4
According to a definition developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO), probiotics are "live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on
the host."1
The use of live microorganisms in the diet has a long history. The original scientific observation of the potential health benefits of some selected bacteria was made by Eli Metchnikoff (a Russian scientist, Nobel laureate, and professor at the Pasteur Institute in Paris) over a century ago.1,2 The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) states that "The concept of probiotics has been around for over 100 years, but scientists are just starting to understand their role in maintaining health, regulating the immune system, and managing disease."3
Today, probiotics are available to consumers mainly in the form of dietary supplements and foods.4
Potential Health Benefits and Uses
A number of potential health effects are associated with the usage of probiotics.1 However, there are differing degrees of evidence supporting each potential benefit.1 In addition, although research suggests a broad range of potential health benefits, the current evidence suggests that probiotic effects are strain specific.2-6 Other strains of even the same species cannot be presumed to demonstrate the same effect.6 According to the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) Practice Guidelines on Probiotics and Prebiotics, the potential probiotic health benefits "can only be attributed to the strain or strains tested, and not to the species or the whole group of lactic acid bacterias or other probiotics."2According to the WGO Practice Guidelines on Probiotics and Prebiotics, "Probiotics are intended to assist the body's naturally occurring gut microbiota. Some probiotic preparations have been used to prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics, or as part of the treatment for antibiotic-related dysbiosis. Studies have documented probiotic effects on a variety of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), vaginal infections, and immune enhancement. Some probiotics have also been investigated in relation to atopic eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, and liver cirrhosis. Although there is some clinical evidence for the role of probiotics in lowering cholesterol, the results are conflicting. In general, the strongest clinical evidence for probiotics is related to their use in improving gut health and stimulating immune function."2
Most of the identified benefits of probiotics relate to gastrointestinal conditions.7 The American Gastroenterological Association's (AGA) patient's guide on probiotics states that "Probiotics are most often used to promote digestive health." Probiotics also may help treat digestive diseases. Some of the most common gastrointestinal uses for probiotics include: IBS, IBD, infectious diarrhea, antibiotic-related diarrhea, and traveler's diarrhea.8
The science behind these benefits is still emerging and appears to be strain specific. Though Bifantis is a probiotic, it has not been studied in many of these areas, and as such there is no data to show that it can provide these benefits. For information particular to Bifantis, see About Bifantis. For additional information on potential health benefits of certain probiotics, see Professional Resources and Probiotic Scientific Data.
Proposed Mechanisms of Action
The mechanism of action of probiotics is uncertain. According to a joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation, "Although it is known that certain probiotics can elicit beneficial effects, little is known about the molecular mechanisms of the benefits reported. The mechanisms may vary from one probiotic to another (for the same benefit via different means) and the mechanism may be a combination of events, thus making this a very difficult and complex area."1 The WGO Practice Guidelines on Probiotics and Prebiotics states that "Probiotics affect the intestinal ecosystem by stimulating mucosal immune mechanisms and by stimulating nonimmune mechanisms through antagonism/competition with potential pathogens."2 Possible probiotic mechanisms of action cited by the WGO include:2- Activate local macrophages
- Modulate cytokine profiles
- Induce hyporesponsiveness to food antigens
- Digest food and compete for nutrients
- Alter local pH
- Produce bacteriocins
- Scavenge superoxide radicals
- Stimulate epithelial mucin production
- Enhance intestinal barrier function
- Compete for adhesion
- Modify pathogen-derived toxins
