PROBIOTICS AND THEIR ATTRIBUTES IN HUMAN HEALTH THERAPY: REVIEW

Abstract

There is a strong correlation between diet and human health. Research shows that a number of disease and disorders can be prevented/regulated by the use of probiotic microorganisms. Probiotics are used in the management of illnesses/disorders such as intestinal pathogenic infections, helicobacter pylori infections, urogenital infection, cancer, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, GIT, IBD and lactose intolerance among others. Probiotics may also have a direct or indirect influence to the human health by the elimination of toxins, protection against enteric microorganisms and boosting the body immune system. These benefits among others have led to the in-depth studies aiming at the understanding of specific probiotics and the mechanism involved in disease therapy. Some commonly used probiotic strains in the dairy industry include among others Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus reuteri, and S. boulardii. Although the mechanisms used by probiotics in disease treatment is not specifically clear, its reported that the modification of the intestinal microbiota, production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) hence maintenance of the pH in digestive system, production of bacteriocin and vitamins could be among the possible mechanisms. The aim of this review paper is to highlight the benefits of probiotics in human health & infections control through the consumption of probiotic products and some mechanism involved.