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Aspects of Probiotic Bacteria

1 Literally meaning “good for life,” probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help keep the right balance of bacteria in the digestive tract, where about 70 per cent of the body’s immune system is located. As a natural component of cultured milk products, probiotics have been around for thousands of years. 2 Probiotics first came under discussion in the early 20th century, when the Nobel prize-winning scientist, Dr Eli Metchnikoff, discovered a possible correlation between the mysterious longevity of the Bulgarians and their regular consumption of yogurt which harbours the bacteria. 3 Different strains of probiotics usually provide specific benefits. The benefits vary, depending on the strain of the bacteria used, the activity of the strain, the quantity consumed and how they are delivered. For instance, Bifidobacterium breve kills a fatal bug called Necrolitizing enterocolitis and Lactobacillus reuteri fights indigestion.

Infants raised on formula milk punched with small amounts of probiotics (friendly bacteria that aid digestion) are protected from diarrhoea and fevers, concludes a report by Israeli child specialists in Pediatrics.

Probiotics, the bacteria that reside naturally in the human stomach and intestine, have been known since ancient times. They have been a part of several traditional diets in many cultures around the world. Medical researchers, however, have woken up to their effects on digestion and immune system in the last couple of decades. While studies so far focused on the role of probiotics on adult health, scientists have recently begun to explore their effects on the immune system of infants.

In the current study, paediatric gastroenterologists from the Ben-Gurion University tested the effects of 201 infants (four to 10 months old) attending child care centres in Beer Sheva. Half of the children were fed with regular formula drink and the rest given formula supplemented with one of the two probiotics, Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus reuteri.

Over the next three months, the infants who drank either form of probiotic formula had less diarrhoea and fever. Those drinking Lactobacillus reuteri had fewer days spent ill at home, fewer trips to the doctor and fewer prescriptions for antibiotics, the study said.

The lead researcher, Dr Zvi Weizman, however, stressed that breast-feeding was still the best choice, since a mother passed even more beneficial bacteria directly to a child through her milk.