Health aspects of probiotics.
Intestinal microbiota contribute in many different ways to our health; disturbances in the activity and/or composition of these microbiota may negatively influence health. In order to maintain a healthy intestinal microbiota, prebiotics and probiotics can be used. Selected probiotic strains safely shorten the duration of rotavirus diarrhea, relieve symptoms of lactose maldigestion and elicit beneficial immune-modulating effects. Other beneficial health effects have also been attributed to probiotics; however, these have not been sufficiently substantiated. Additional research into the mechanisms of probiotics is required.
Ouwehand
Arthur
A
University of Turku, Department of Biochemistry and Food Chemistry, 20014 Turku, Finland. arthur.ouwehand@utu.fi
Vesterlund
Satu
S
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000382:microbiology*; D052776:Female Urogenital Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007787:Lactose Intolerance / Q000382:microbiology; D052801:Male Urogenital Diseases; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic