The role of probiotic bacteria in cancer prevention.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most important causes of cancer morbidity and mortality in western countries [1]. A myriad of healthful effects have been attributed to the probiotic lactic acid bacteria; perhaps the most controversial remains that of anticancer activity. There is no direct experimental evidence for cancer suppression in humans as a result of consumption of lactic cultures in fermented or unfermented dairy products. However, there is a wealth of indirect evidence, based largely on laboratory studies, in the literature and this will be summarised in the present paper.
Hirayama
K
K
Department of Medical Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, NOVUM, S-141 86, Huddinge, Sweden.
Rafter
J
J
D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D001644:Bifidobacterium; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology / Q000502:physiology; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007778:Lactobacillus; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D016587:Antimutagenic Agents