Probiotics: Health Benefits and Side Effects

Authors:

Kuntal KaIra (Manav Rachna International University, Faridabad)

Shilpa Chapangaokar (Manav Rachna International University, Faridabad)

Keywords: probiotic, prebiotic, health food, gut flora, lactobacillus, synbiotic.

Abstract:

Probiotics are live microbial food supplements or components of bacteria, which have been shown to have beneficial effects on human health. Microbial cultures have been used for thousands of years in food and alcoholic fermentations, and they have been shown to prevent and cure a variety of diseases. These beneficial microorganisms have been named as 'Probiotics'. The beneficial effects are due to change in the composition of the gut microbiota. There is currently an enormous evidence for the therapeutic use of probiotics in infectious diarrhea in children, the possible benefit in other gastrointestinal infections; prevention of postoperative bacterial translocation, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease continues to emerge. This study deals with the possible benefits and side effects of Probiotics.