Probiotics: the natural way to boost your immune system

Oct 20, 2014 Ruchira Dhoke Did You Know?, Lifestyle & Health 0

The microbes that colonize the humans are dynamic components of the body and co-exist symbiotically by both gaining and providing nourishment. The process aids in the development of intestinal cells and helps in boosting the body’s innate immune system.

The intestines are the part of the body which encounters the majority of pathogens with 70% of immune functions taking place here.

The 20^th century saw the evolution of the concept of probiotics, a hypothesis first proposed by Nobel Prize winning Russian scientist Elie Metchnikoff (Bibel, 1988). He suggested that the long, healthy life that the Bulgarian peasants were living was the result of consumption of fermented milk products which contains the Lactobacillus who positively influences the microflora of the colon, decreasing toxic microbial activities.

Probiotics were defined as live microorganisms which, when consumed in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host in the year 2001 by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization

Probiotics are live non-pathogenic bacteria that colonize the gut to provide beneficial effects. There are over 500 different types of such bacteria. These bacteria serve several beneficial functions such as inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria, aiding in digestion, and B vitamin synthesis.

How are the beneficial bacteria acquired?

The process stars at the time of the birth during which the babies are exposed to their mothers’ bacteria. Breastfeeding is another source that provides additional exposure to the mothers’ microbial flora. Physical affection and day to day contact provides a continued exposure to the babies.

This early bacterial exposure provides a protective barrier to the gut and a defense mechanism is developed for protection against the infections thereby proving to be instrumental in the development of the immune system. By their second birthday the babies acquire an identifiable population of microorganisms.

These numbers and type of bacteria are susceptible to change with use of antibiotics, stress, poor diet, or by the ingestion of pathogens.

In order for a bacterium to be considered a probiotic, it must meet the following criteria:

It is a microbial organism which is not harmful
It remains alive during processing and the shelf life of the food
It must survive digestion and remain alive in the gut
It is able to bring about a response in the gut
It is associated with health benefit

Common Probiotic Bacteria

Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus reuteri
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium lactis
Bifidobacterium longum

Probiotics are commonly isolated from the human and animal intestinal tracts. The native bacteria of the gut are not considered as probiotics until they are isolated, purified, and proved to have a health benefit when administered.

Cheese, fermented and unfermented milks, juices, smoothies, cereal, nutrition bars, and infant/toddler formula all are food vehicles that can be turned probiotic. Probiotics are also sold as dietary supplements, medical foods, and drugs .These products are composed of concentrated, dried microbes packaged into capsules, tablets, or sachets.

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Ruchira Dhoke

A qualified medical microbiologist with an avidity to read enchant a deep passion for creating a good impacting masterpiece with my words .I am very fond of good old English literature and like listening to music and paint in my free time.