Probiotics are live microorganisms that survive in the human body, where their presence has a positive influence on health. Friendly bacteria exist naturally in the digestive system. When natural levels of these bacteria fluctuate, health problems can ensue. The consumption of products containing natural probiotics can help you restore the balance of friendly bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract, and may eliminate the symptoms that arise when normal levels of friendly bacteria are disrupted. Different strains of probiotic microorganisms have varying effects on human health.
Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus is the name of a genus of probiotic bacteria that has been widely used in probiotic products. Numerous strains of the Lactobacillus genus are considered to deliver a variety of health benefits, according to USProbiotics.org. Lactobacillus GG is a strain of the genus that has shown some promise as an aid in treating infectious diarrhea, although the University of Maryland Medical Center notes that such treatment delivers mixed results.
Other strains of Lactobacillus have shown potential in treating other conditions as well. Lactobacillus acidophilus suppositories have been successfully used in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. Patients being treated to prevent the recurrence of bladder cancer had significantly higher three year cancer-free survival rates if their treatment was supplemented with Lactobacillus casei, according to a study conducted by Seiji Naito of the Kyushu University Urological Oncology Group and published in the February 2008 issue of "The Journal of Urology."
Bifidobacterium
Like lactobacilli, bifidobacteria are natural inhabitants of a healthy gastrointestinal tract. Antibiotics taken to treat some unrelated infection can decimate both of these genii of friendly bacteria. Taking a probiotic supplement containing Bifidobacterium strains can help to repopulate the normal flora of the intestine following a course of antibiotic therapy. Women with irritable bowel syndrome were relieved of many of their symptoms during a double blind, placebo controlled study investigating the effectiveness of a supplement containing Bifidobacterium infantis, which was published in the July 2006 issue of "The American Journal of Gastroenterology" by Dr. Peter Whorwell, professor of medicine and gastroenterology at the University of Manchester.
Saccharomyces
Though it is a yeast rather than a bacteria, Saccharomyces boulardii is included in the list of living microorganisms that are considered probiotic. This nonpathogenic yeast has demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing diarrhea induced by taking antibiotics, according to the University of Michigan Health System. A strain called Saccharomyces cerevisiae, popularly known as brewer's or baker's yeast, has been shown to prevent recurrence of infection by the bacterium Clostridium difficile, which is associated with diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis.
References
- University of Michigan Health System: Azithromycin
- Urology Access.org: Prevention of Recurrence With Epirubicin and Lactobacillus Casei After Transurethral Resection of Bladder Cancer
- USProbiotics.org: Probiotic Basics
- Medical News Today: New Study Demonstrates That Bifantis(TM) (Bifidobacterium Infantis 35624) Offers Relief For Women With Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lactobacillus Acidophilus
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