By means of microbiological therapy – also called symbiosis therapy – the bacterial balance in the intestine is restored (intestinal rehabilitation) and a healthy intestinal environment is established. This is done by administering probiotics – pro bios (for life) – i.e. intestinal bacteria preparations. These contain living microorganisms that benefit the intestine and are present in a diminished form in cases of dysbiosis. Probiotics should contain at least lactic acid-forming lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.
List of probiotic germs
Lactobacilli
- L. acidophilus
- L. plantarum
- L. casei subspecies rhamnosus
- L. brevis
- L. delbrückii subspecies bulgaricus
- L. fermentum
- L. helveticus
- L. johnsonii
Bifidobacteria
- B. bifidum
- B. longum
- B. infantis
- B. breve
- B. adolescentis
Other
- Streptococcus salivarius subspecies thermophilus
- Lactococcus lactis subspecies lactis
- Lactococcus lactis subspecies cremoris
- Enterococcus faecium
- Leuconostoc mesenteroides subspecies dextranium
- Propionibacterium freudenreichii
- Pediococcus acidilactici
- Saccharomyces boulardii
The bacteria thus ingested accumulate in the intestine and multiply, gradually restoring a normal, that is, healthy intestinal environment.
Functions
After consuming probiotic foods, the bacterial strains enter the colon (large intestine) and settle there. They have the ability to multiply and exert various health-related effects. Experimental and clinical studies prove the positive effects of probiotics. General functions of probiotics
- Promotion or maintenance of optimal intestinal flora (intestinal microbiota).
- Strengthening immunological defense mechanisms (IgA).
- Creation of ecological niches for their growth By producing organic acids, especially lactic acid, and bacteriocins – proteins and low-molecular-weight peptides – probiotic-active Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria can displace existing groups of germs, such as Clostridia, Bacteroides and E. Coli, displace them. In this way, a temporary colonization of the intestine with probiotic bacteria is ensured
Preventive effects of probiotics
- Allergic rhinitis (allergic rhinitis; hay fever).
- Atopic eczema (neurodermatitis) in newborns – the administration of probiotic bacteria was able to reduce the incidence of neurodermatitis in newborns by half. In this study, both the mothers before birth and the newborns received the probiotic bacterial strain Lactobacillus GG until six months after birth. In a later follow-up of the study participants showed a persistence of this protective effect.
- Diverticulitis (inflammation of diverticula – for more see diverticulosis).
- Diverticulosis (change in the colon in the form of small protrusions of the entire intestinal wall – these protrusions are called diverticula).
- Lower incidence of viral diarrheal diseases (e.g., Rota virus infections).
- Inhibition of carcinogenesis in the colon.
- Protection against vaginal infection with Candida fungus.
- Reduction of cholesterol blood levels
- Strengthening the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa – probiotic microorganism cultures rebalance increased permeability of the intestinal mucosa on the one hand, and optimize the immunological barrier on the other – the risk of autoimmune diseases is limited. To explain: autoimmune diseases are diseases whose cause is an excessive reaction of the immune system against the body’s own tissue.
Therapeutic effects of probiotics
- Allergic rhinitis
- Atopic eczema (neurodermatitis)
- Chronic constipation (constipation).
- Ulcerative colitis (chronic inflammatory disease of the mucous membrane of the colon or rectum).
- Diverticulitis (inflammation of diverticula – for more see diverticulosis).
- Diverticulosis (change in the colon in the form of small protrusions of the entire intestinal wall – these protrusions are called diverticula).
- Gastritis (inflammation of the gastric mucosa) – in a study of 138 patients, it was shown that antibiotic treatment in combination with the consumption of probiotic cultures (lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) could improve the treatment outcome of Helicobacter pylori infection
- Infectious diarrheal diseases
- Relief of symptoms of lactose intolerance (lactose intolerance) and improvement of lactose digestion in absorption disorders (malabsorption).
- Potential effect in hepatic encephalopathy (liver-related brain dysfunction due to insufficient detoxification function of the liver) – probiotics can alleviate symptoms in a pre-existing disease (by reducing toxic protein breakdown products and a reduced absorption of ammonia due to a decrease in pH in the intestine).
- Reduction of side effects of oral antibiotic treatment.
- Reduction of side effects (eg, diarrhea) of radiotherapy.
- Reduction in the rate of recurrence of superficial bladder cancer.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (irritable colon) – relief of symptoms.
- Lowering blood cholesterol levels in hypercholesterolemia (dyslipidemia with elevated LDL cholesterol).
- Reduction in the recurrence of urinary tract infections.
The following foods that are lactic fermented contain lactobacilli and bifidobacteria:
- Sauerkraut
- Beet
- Pickled cucumbers
- String beans
- Soured milk, kefir and yogurt
Probiotics can be ingested as a component of a food and as a dietary supplement. Most probiotic foods are used in the field of fermented dairy products. Yogurt and yogurt-like products are the most commonly consumed fermented dairy products. These naturally contain live lactic acid bacteria, primarily lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Note Necessary minimum germ count: Experience shows that – in order to develop a probiotic effect in humans – at least 108-109 live germs should be supplied per day. Reasons for this are the individual constitution of the consumer, the type of bacterium (strain specificity) and the food composition. Therefore, despite some resistance to digestive secretions, usually only about 10-30% of consumed probiotic microorganisms reach the colon alive. Consumption of live probiotic cultures with food or as supplements should be done daily to maintain high concentrations of replicable germs in the colon. Since probiotic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria cannot permanently colonize the intestine, if oral intake is interrupted, the introduced germs are displaced again after a short time and their numbers in the feces are reduced. CONCLUSION: Only a regular intake of probiotic microorganisms (e.g., as probiotic foods or dietary supplements) can provide health benefits.
