Underpinning Health: The Science and Benefits of Probiotics
Latest research continues to affirm the importance of probiotics to human health, with potential benefits extending far beyond the gut.
Jordan Taylor
- 2024-01-06
- Updated 10:52 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - Since Elie Metchnikoff first linked the longevity of Bulgarian villagers to their consumption of fermented milk, scientists have vastly expanded their understanding of probiotics—beneficial live bacteria and yeasts. These microorganisms, naturally occurring in various parts of the human body, have become recognized for their health-promoting properties. The World Health Organisation, in a 2001 report, defined probiotics as live microorganisms which provide health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts—a definition that was further refined by scientific experts in Canada in 2013 to emphasize these health benefits more explicitly.
Advancements in Probiotic Science
Significant strides have been made in identifying how these microorganisms benefit the human body, leading to a consensus definition endorsed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). This was followed by guidelines established for evaluating probiotics in food. However, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) does not recognize this definition due to its non-measurable health claims. Despite this, probiotics are often recommended to maintain or restore balance to the human microbiome, particularly after it has been compromised by illness or antibiotic use.
Increasingly, research is uncovering the potential of probiotics to address a wider array of health concerns, including their impact on systemic diseases like obesity and diabetes. Probiotics can be found in various foods and supplements, and when combined with prebiotics—foods that nourish beneficial bacteria—they form synbiotics, aimed at improving overall microbial health. Studies, including "Health Benefits of Probiotics: A Review" by Kechagia et al. and "Anti-tumor activities of probiotics in cervical cancer" by Jahanshahi et al., even indicate potential anticancer properties and the capacity to enhance efficacy of therapeutic drugs.
Probiotic Benefits in Daily Life
Experts like Dr. Carolyn Newberry and Georgia Giannopoulos advocate for the inclusion of probiotic-rich foods in the diet to reap their wide-ranging benefits, such as improved gut health and immune function, weight management, reduced symptoms of bowel disorders, and enhanced mental well-being. Products with live and active cultures like certain yogurts are recommended choices for integrating probiotics into one's daily nutrition.
As the research progresses, the community anticipates further development in the use of probiotics as a proactive measure for health maintenance and disease management, underscoring a shift towards preventing illness rather than merely treating it. Thus, harnessing the power of these microscopic allies could become a fundamental aspect of healthcare in the years to come.
