How do Probiotics Work?

Probiotics must be ingested regularly for any health promoting properties to persist. It is possible to manipulate the composition of the intestinal microflora in adults through dietary supplementation with probiotics. This concept is gaining popularity throughout the world.

Probiotics must be ingested regularly for any health promoting properties to persist. It is possible to manipulate the composition of the intestinal microflora in adults through dietary supplementation with probiotics. This concept is gaining popularity throughout the world.

The mode of action of a probiotic may include host microflora modulation, (by improvement of the microbial balance via interaction of orally applied viable microbes with the microflora in the digestive tract lumen), the modulation of host metabolic activities, (by stabilizing digestive enzyme pattern), and immunomodulation, (by activation and regulation of mucosa-associated and systemic immune system responses). These modes of action are also strain-dependent.

The intestinal microflora provides protection against a broad range of pathogens, including certain forms of Clostridia, Escherichia Coli, Salmonella, Shigella and Pseudomonas, as well as yeasts such as Candida albicans