The use of probiotics in medical practice

Probiotics are defined as living organisms, beneficial to health when ingested. Different species of microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria or yeasts have been proposed for human use. These microorganisms differ from each other and it is, therefore, unlikely that they will act in the same way....

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of antimicrobial agents 2000-12, Vol.16 (4), p.531-536
Main Authors: Mombelli, Barbara, Gismondo, Maria Rita
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacteriology
Biological and medical sciences
Colonic Neoplasms - prevention & control
Diarrhea - drug therapy
Diarrhea - prevention & control
Food Hypersensitivity - prevention & control
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Hypercholesterolemia - prevention & control
Lactic acid bacteria
Lactobacillus
Lactose Intolerance - prevention & control
Microbiology
Miscellaneous
Probiotics
Probiotics - therapeutic use
Therapeutic use
Urinary Bladder Neoplasms - prevention & control
Urinary Tract Infections - prevention & control
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Probiotics are defined as living organisms, beneficial to health when ingested. Different species of microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria or yeasts have been proposed for human use. These microorganisms differ from each other and it is, therefore, unlikely that they will act in the same way. Probiotics could be used for several conditions such as diarrhoea, candidal vaginitis, urinary tract infections, immune disorders, lactose intolerance, hypercholesterolaemia and food allergy. The effects of probiotics in some of these conditions have been directly observed, in others it has been only suggested on the basis of in vitro studies and from experimental animal models. Controlled trials are needed to determine the scientific basis for their use, the correct formulation and ways of administration in different clinical situations.
ISSN:0924-8579
1872-7913
DOI:10.1016/S0924-8579(00)00322-8