Probiotics & Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The word "probiotic" comes from the Greek meaning "for life." According to the World Health Organization, these "friendly" bacteria are "live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host." It is believed that probiotics can strengthen the immune system and assist the body in restoring its natural gut flora. These live microbial food ingredients can alter the flora in the gut and have a beneficial effect on one's overall health. Russian scientist and Nobel Laureate, Eli Metchnikoff, who first observed the beneficial role that certain bacteria play in the body, suggested that natural gut flora could be modified so as to replace harmful microbes with helpful microbes. The two main strains of bacteria used in formulating probiotics that can be consumed are of the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These can be found in food products such as yogurt, miso (fermented soybean paste), soy beverages, fermented and unfermented milk, and kefir.

Probiotics have played an important role in the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease, collectively known as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Evidence has suggested that the normal intestinal flora found in someone with IBD triggers an immune response, which causes inflammation. IBD is autoimmune in nature meaning that the immune response of the body acts against any of its own tissues or cells. This results in symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, nausea, and vomiting. It is thought that replacing or modifying the flora in the gut can diminish these symptoms.

Probiotics have been used to prevent and treat inflammation following surgery of the colon (large intestine), to shorten the duration of intestinal infections, and to treat infectious diarrhea, especially following a course of therapy with particular antibiotics. A clinical trial is being developed at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine to show the benefits of probiotics in treating diarrhea in children that are malnourished in third world countries.

Among its other beneficial aspects probiotics are also believed to have an anti-carcinogenic effect. The intestinal flora play a role in digesting nutrients and in metabolizing pro-carcinogens and also act as an obstacle against pathogens in the body. They can also lower triglycerides, improve the ability of the body to absorb minerals, clear the gut of harmful organisms, balance one's blood sugar, and boost a person's overall immune system.

Sources

Mountain West Gastroenterology

Karpa, Kelly D. Bacteria for Breakfast: Probiotics for Good Health. United Kingdom: Trafford Publishing, 2006.

Cohen, Russell D. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Clinical Gastroenterology). New York, NY: Humana P, 2003.

Dalessandro, Tracie M. What to Eat with IBD: A Comprehensive Nutrition and Recipe Guide for Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Dublin, Ireland: CMG Publishing; 1st Edition, 2006.