179
10.2.4 Therapeutic Uses of Probiotics
To attain a successful clinical outcome, it is crucial to use the same probiotic strain
that has evidently demonstrated the desired therapeutic action.
Probiotic strains like Saccharomyces boulardi, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG are
used in prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhea. Saccharomyces boulardii,
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or both can be used for preventing Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Saccharomyces boulardii prevent recurrence after first CDI. A mixture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG,
Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus acidophilus cans eradicate Helicobacter
pylori completely. Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, VSL#3 are helpful in treatment of
Ulcerative Colitis. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), Lactobacillus johnsonii
LA1 are used successfully in Crohn’s Disease. Bifidobacterium infantis is prescribed
in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Lactobacillus plantarum 299 can be taken in Acute
Pancreatitis. Bifidusbacterium spp. and Lactobacillus acidophilus are used in
Necrotizing Enterocolitis successfully. VSL is used to treat Multi-Organ Dysfunction
Syndrome (MODS). Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is given in ventilator associated
pneumonia, allergy and immune response.
There are many characteristics of probiotic microbes, but it is best to follow
International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus
which states that: a probiotic must be alive when administered, have a health benefit
and be delivered at an effective dose (Hill et al. 2014). The number of live organisms
present in the product determines the dosage of probiotic foods and supplements.
Based on clinical trials successful therapeutic outcomes have been attained using
between 107 and 1011 viable bacteria per day. Interestingly, it appears that 100
times fewer viable bacteria need to be given in a dairy medium than in a freeze-dried
supplement to achieve similar numbers of live bacteria in the lower bowel (Saxelin
1996). It is said that dairy is an ideal transport medium for the bacteria, augmenting
their survival in the upper GI tract (Kailasapathy and Chin 2000).
10.3 Prebiotics
The term ‘prebiotics’ was coined by Gibson and Roberfroid in 1995. They defined
prebiotics as “a non-digestive food ingredient that beneficially affects the host by
selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of
bacteria in the colon, and thus improves host health.” Probiotics do not contribute to
the caloric value of the food or food ingredient. Gibson and Roberfroid, however,
revised this definition and proposed a new one as a “selectively fermented ingredient that allows specific changes; both in the composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microbiota that confers benefits upon host well-being and health”
(Gibson et al. 2004; Roberfroid 2007). This definition matches the words “prebiotic” and “bifidogenic” and encompasses the definition of the prebiotic index (i.e.,
10 Prebiotics, Probiotics, Synbiotics and Its Importance in the Management of Diseases
10.2.4 Therapeutic Uses of Probiotics
To attain a successful clinical outcome, it is crucial to use the same probiotic strain
that has evidently demonstrated the desired therapeutic action.
Probiotic strains like Saccharomyces boulardi, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG are
used in prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhea. Saccharomyces boulardii,
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or both can be used for preventing Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Saccharomyces boulardii prevent recurrence after first CDI. A mixture of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG,
Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus acidophilus cans eradicate Helicobacter
pylori completely. Escherichia coli Nissle 1917, VSL#3 are helpful in treatment of
Ulcerative Colitis. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), Lactobacillus johnsonii
LA1 are used successfully in Crohn’s Disease. Bifidobacterium infantis is prescribed
in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Lactobacillus plantarum 299 can be taken in Acute
Pancreatitis. Bifidusbacterium spp. and Lactobacillus acidophilus are used in
Necrotizing Enterocolitis successfully. VSL is used to treat Multi-Organ Dysfunction
Syndrome (MODS). Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is given in ventilator associated
pneumonia, allergy and immune response.
There are many characteristics of probiotic microbes, but it is best to follow
International Scientific Association of Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus
which states that: a probiotic must be alive when administered, have a health benefit
and be delivered at an effective dose (Hill et al. 2014). The number of live organisms
present in the product determines the dosage of probiotic foods and supplements.
Based on clinical trials successful therapeutic outcomes have been attained using
between 107 and 1011 viable bacteria per day. Interestingly, it appears that 100
times fewer viable bacteria need to be given in a dairy medium than in a freeze-dried
supplement to achieve similar numbers of live bacteria in the lower bowel (Saxelin
1996). It is said that dairy is an ideal transport medium for the bacteria, augmenting
their survival in the upper GI tract (Kailasapathy and Chin 2000).
10.3 Prebiotics
The term ‘prebiotics’ was coined by Gibson and Roberfroid in 1995. They defined
prebiotics as “a non-digestive food ingredient that beneficially affects the host by
selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of
bacteria in the colon, and thus improves host health.” Probiotics do not contribute to
the caloric value of the food or food ingredient. Gibson and Roberfroid, however,
revised this definition and proposed a new one as a “selectively fermented ingredient that allows specific changes; both in the composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microbiota that confers benefits upon host well-being and health”
(Gibson et al. 2004; Roberfroid 2007). This definition matches the words “prebiotic” and “bifidogenic” and encompasses the definition of the prebiotic index (i.e.,
10 Prebiotics, Probiotics, Synbiotics and Its Importance in the Management of Diseases