Enterococcus feacium
bacteria cells

Probiotics are live micro-organisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host. (FAO/WHO*, 2002). Probiotics can be defined as microbial cells that have a beneficial effect on the health and well-being of the host.¹

Probiotics have a positive effect on the health going beyond the nutritional ones commonly known. The two main mechanism of action have been suggested and are summarised as follows: (a) nutritional effect which is characterised by reduction of metabolic reactions that produce toxic substances, stimulation of indigenous enzymes and production of vitamins and antimicrobial substances; (b) health or sanitary effect which is distinguished by increase in colonisation resistance, competition for gut surface adhesion and stimulation of the immune response.²

Balanced microflora

Probiotic consumption is reported to exert a myriad of beneficial effects including: enhanced immune response, balancing of colonic microbiota, vaccine adjuvant effects, reduction of faecal enzymes implicated in cancer initiation, treatment of diarrhea associated with stress, pH level and antibiotic therapy, control of rotavirus and Clostridium difficile - induced colitis and prevention of ulcers related to Helicobacter pylori.

Imbalanced microflora

Probiotics are also implicated in the reduction of serum cholesterol, the antagonism against food-borne pathogens and tooth decay organisms, the amelioration of lactose malabsorption symptoms as well as candidiasis and urinary tract infections.⁴