PROBIOTICS AND HEALTH

The ability of microbial strains to confer health benefits to human and animal hosts is not a feature of many organisms. Lactic acid bacteria are the most commonly used bacteria applied as probiotics and there is now strong evidence that certain strains confer tangible benefits to the host. In terms of preventing infection, the ability of probiotic lactobacilli to colonize the tissue site, even temporarily, and inhibit growth and adhesion of pathogens, has been documented. Using molecular tools, such as RAPD and DGGE, probiotic organisms can be tracked through the intestine and in the vagina, and their impact on the flora assessed. Arguably, strains L. rhamnosus GG and GR-l are the most studied probiotic strains in terms of human application to the gut (GG and GR-l) and vagina (GR-1). Combined with L. fermentum RC-14, GR-l provides a two-pronged therapeutic for the intestine and urogenital tract. Care in manufacturing and distribution is essential to ensure that optimal doses of probiotics are accessible to consumers and patients.