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fatty acids, and bile acids. The probiotics that are effective in antibiotic associated
diarrhea include Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus acidophilus,
Lactobacillus delbruckii, Lactobacillus fermentum etc. and Saccharomyces boulardii. A meta-analysis done for probiotics and AAD in pediatric subjects suggested
that Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Saccharomyces boulardii at a high dosage of
5–40 billion CFU/day may prevent the onset of ADD, with no serious side effects
documented in otherwise healthy children (Johnston et al. 2011)
10.7.1.3 Traveler’s Diarrhea
Nearly 20–60% of travelers around the world are affected by this type of diarrhea.
It particularly affects people who travel from one country to another. The prevalent
causes are mostly bacteria (60–85% of cases) and most responsible bacterial pathogen is Escherichia coli followed by Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella spp. and
Salmonella spp. Parasites account for about 10% and viruses for 5% of infections.
Saccharomyces boulardii is more effective on bacterial diarrhea and Lactobacillus
GG showed effectiveness against viral and idiopathic diarrhea. Lactobacilli,
Bifidobacteria, Enterococci and Streptococci are used to prevent traveler’s diarrhea
and thus given prophylactically. There are various mechanisms of amelioration of
diarrhea by probiotics: (1) activation of the immune system; (2) competition for
receptor of epithelial cells on intestine; and (3) through the secretion of bacteriocins
like nisin. A meta-analysis concluded that a lot of probiotics like Saccharomyces
boulardii and a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum
were significantly effective for travele’s diarrhea. There were no serious adverse
reactions that were reported in the 12 trials (McFarland 2007).
10.7.1.4 Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
This common chronic gastrointestinal disorder is characterized by recurrent spells
of abdominal discomfort, bloating, pain and a changeable bowel habit, without
mucosal abnormality and flatulence. At present, no curative treatment is available
and treatment is aimed to reduce only its symptoms. Many probiotics strains including Lactobacillus plantarum decreased flatulence and relieve abdominal bloating.
Reduction in pain was observed with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Different probiotics strains such as Bacillus infantis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC705, Bacillus
breve Bb99 and Escherichia coli nissle1917 were found effective in IBS treatment.
Soluble, non-viscous fibers as prebiotic like guar gum may also be useful in IBS.
10.7.1.5 Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IBD)
IBD is a chronic, relapsing, multi-factorial disorder causing inflammation of the
gastro-intestinal tract that causes severe watery and bloody diarrhea accompanied
by abdominal pain. IBD affects the large and small intestine, particularly the colon.
10 Prebiotics, Probiotics, Synbiotics and Its Importance in the Management of Diseases
fatty acids, and bile acids. The probiotics that are effective in antibiotic associated
diarrhea include Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus acidophilus,
Lactobacillus delbruckii, Lactobacillus fermentum etc. and Saccharomyces boulardii. A meta-analysis done for probiotics and AAD in pediatric subjects suggested
that Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Saccharomyces boulardii at a high dosage of
5–40 billion CFU/day may prevent the onset of ADD, with no serious side effects
documented in otherwise healthy children (Johnston et al. 2011)
10.7.1.3 Traveler’s Diarrhea
Nearly 20–60% of travelers around the world are affected by this type of diarrhea.
It particularly affects people who travel from one country to another. The prevalent
causes are mostly bacteria (60–85% of cases) and most responsible bacterial pathogen is Escherichia coli followed by Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella spp. and
Salmonella spp. Parasites account for about 10% and viruses for 5% of infections.
Saccharomyces boulardii is more effective on bacterial diarrhea and Lactobacillus
GG showed effectiveness against viral and idiopathic diarrhea. Lactobacilli,
Bifidobacteria, Enterococci and Streptococci are used to prevent traveler’s diarrhea
and thus given prophylactically. There are various mechanisms of amelioration of
diarrhea by probiotics: (1) activation of the immune system; (2) competition for
receptor of epithelial cells on intestine; and (3) through the secretion of bacteriocins
like nisin. A meta-analysis concluded that a lot of probiotics like Saccharomyces
boulardii and a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum
were significantly effective for travele’s diarrhea. There were no serious adverse
reactions that were reported in the 12 trials (McFarland 2007).
10.7.1.4 Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
This common chronic gastrointestinal disorder is characterized by recurrent spells
of abdominal discomfort, bloating, pain and a changeable bowel habit, without
mucosal abnormality and flatulence. At present, no curative treatment is available
and treatment is aimed to reduce only its symptoms. Many probiotics strains including Lactobacillus plantarum decreased flatulence and relieve abdominal bloating.
Reduction in pain was observed with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Different probiotics strains such as Bacillus infantis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC705, Bacillus
breve Bb99 and Escherichia coli nissle1917 were found effective in IBS treatment.
Soluble, non-viscous fibers as prebiotic like guar gum may also be useful in IBS.
10.7.1.5 Inflammatory Bowel Disorder (IBD)
IBD is a chronic, relapsing, multi-factorial disorder causing inflammation of the
gastro-intestinal tract that causes severe watery and bloody diarrhea accompanied
by abdominal pain. IBD affects the large and small intestine, particularly the colon.
10 Prebiotics, Probiotics, Synbiotics and Its Importance in the Management of Diseases