Probiotics are living micro-organisms, which when ingested or locally applied in sufficient numbers confer one or more specified, demonstrated health benefits on the consumer. As against Antibiotic, Pro-biotic means 'for life', which indicates an essential property of probiotic cultures. A growing awareness of the relationship between diet and health has led to an increasing demand for food products that are able to enhance health as well as provide basic nutrition.
Health benefits of Probiotic Foods
The health benefits of probitoic foods are recoginsed by researchers, physicians and consumers. These benefits include established, & positive effects on:
- Enhanced gut function and stability
- Improved protection against infectious and non-infectious diseases
- Immune system modulation
- Alleviated lactose intolerance
- Improved digestion and nutrient absorption
- Reduced blood cholesterol
- Reduced allergy risk
- Reduced risk of urinary tract infections
How does Probiotic strains work in human body?
The gastrointestinal tract is the primary interface between humans and the food we consume. The digestive tract of and adult human contains about 100 trillion microorganisms. This highly complex microflora exists as a very delicate balance of beneficial and potentially harmful organisms. Under certain condtions, such as stress, extensive travelling and antiobiotic treatment, the balance of this natural ecosystem can be upset.
During these periods the number of beneficial organisms declines and the number of harmful organisms increases, which often results in stomach problems such as diarrhoea and constipation. This unbalanced microflora can in turn affect the other functions or physiological systems such as the immune system
The mechanism of probiotic activity is that probiotics together with other beneficial bacteria in the GI tract outcompete pathogens for nutrients while producing natural inhibitory substances. The interaction with the immune system is known to play a major role in probiotic activity. The total mucosal surface of the adult GI tract is about 300 m2 and thus making the largest immune organ. There are about 10 billion immunoglobulin- producing cells per square meter in the small intestine, which accounts about 80% of all types of cells in the body.
When ingested probiotic bacteria are exposed to the mucosal layer of the GI tract and subsequently to the immune system. When present in sufficient number it competes with invading pathogenic organisms for both the nutrients and attachments sites along the intestinal walls.
- Exclude or reduce adherence of pathogens
- Remain metabolically active in gut
- Produce antagonistic compounds
- Resist antimicrobial substances
- Ability to adhere to cells (host or microbial)
- Safe, non-invasive, non-carcinogenic and non-pathogenic
- Cohabit and form a part of the indigenous microflora
What can probiotics do?
One way of maintaining a balance between the beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut is to consume a source of beneficial bacteria in the diet. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can be introduced into the digestive system through food like Amul’s Probiotic Dahi.
Requirements for probiotics
In order to have positive beneficial effect, Amul probiotic Dahi must be taken as under.
- Recommended dosage: Need to take a daily dose of 70 to 100gm
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