Bugs for better well-being

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, provide a health benefit to the host. Probiotics can thus be any microbe – as long as they are not pathogens; the most commonly commercially available probiotics are members of the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, although also Saccharomyces and Bacillus probiotics are also available. In order to qualify as a probiotic, a microbe must fulfil a number of key criteria. These have recently been summarised and clarified by the International Probiotic Association (IPA).

Defining and qualifying probiotics

By definition, probiotics should have a health benefit. For those jurisdictions where claims are allowed, the manufacturer is expected to be able to document the claim and document that the dose in the product is at least the same as the dose tested. Furthermore, probiotics should have their taxonomy identified to genus and species level, and be identifiable as strains. The probiotic strain should be characterised in the sense that it can be expected to survive gastrointestinal transit, and has a history of safe use or otherwise leaves no doubt about its safety.

Furthermore, there are quality requirements as stipulated in the IPA-CRN best practice guidelines; manufacturers should mention the appropriate taxonomy on the package including strain identification – for example, Lactobacillus acidophilus ABC. Packaging should mention the minimum number of viable microbes at the end of shelf life. If a product contains multiple strains, at least the total number at end of shelf life should be mentioned; if the product is a proprietary combination, the counts for each strain should be reported.It is recommended that the dose be at least 109 live microbes – or colony-forming units (CFU).

Various health benefits have been described for probiotics and, although some health benefits appear to be fairly common, others have been shown to be very specific. No probiotic can therefore be expected to provide all suggested health benefits and different strains may have diverse benefits.

Finally, some products are marketed as such, but do not qualify as probiotics. Examples of these include household cleaning agents, drain cleaners and cosmetic products that contain probiotic metabolites, non-live or fragmented probiotic cells.

Health benefits

The suggested list of health benefits of probiotics is long. Several studies support the benefit of probiotic applications, whether strain-specific or combinations. However, there are many health benefits for which there is not yet sufficient data available.There is evidence for a potential benefit, but further studies are required. Finally, there are health benefits for which there is, at best, emerging evidence.

Antibiotics are used and developed to kill pathogenic bacteria; but as a side effect, the endogenous microbiota in the intestine may also be disturbed which may result in diarrhoea that may lead to secondary infections, prolong the required care and increase healthcare costs. Probiotics have been shown to halve the risk for AAD by and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea by more than 60%; they may also reduce the duration and severity of the diarrhoea.

This is one of the best-documented health benefits of probiotics and numerous studies and strains have been documented to provide benefits in conjunction with antibiotic use. This has also been associated with substantial net savings. Furthermore, the importance of taking probiotics immediately after the start of the antibiotic treatment is evident. It can be hypothesised that probiotics support the intestine’s microbiota in managing the onslaught of the antibiotic, rather than replenishing killed microbes.

Protection for infants with low birth weight

Necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe condition that affects extremely low-birth-weight infants. There is currently no cure for NEC; fortunately, the condition is quite rare. Interestingly, probiotics have been shown to effectively reduce the risk for NEC. However, as the disease is rare, studies usually have a limited number of patients.

Nevertheless, the results are very consistent; some authors have even suggested it might be unethical to not routinely use probiotics on children at risk. The challenge is that it appears difficult to decide what strain combination – and dose – to recommend. Most recent analyses suggest that probiotic combinations would be most efficacious, at an odds ratio of 0.58. Probiotics are thought to support the establishment of a beneficial or at least non-pathogenic microbiota and may also support the development of the immune system in premature infants.

Reduced risk for RTI

Respiratory tract infections (RTI) are considered to be one of the most common diseases; people will suffer from one or more bouts of cold or flu in their lifetime. In most cases, these infections are benign and resolve on their own, but in rare cases may lead to more serious secondary infections.

However, consumption of probiotics during winter has been reported to shorten the duration of RTI by 0.77 days and reduce the risk for RTI at an odds ratio of 0.58.

It may be surprising that the consumption of probiotics, which interact with the intestine, may have a benefit on respiratory health. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, it is likely that modulation of the immune system plays a role here. Because of their ubiquitous nature, RTI carry a high financial burden. Unsurprisingly, probiotics can provide substantial saving to healthcare and the individual by reducing RTI risk.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is becoming increasingly more common in affluent societies. AD is most common during childhood and although most children grow out of it, it is associated with allergic diseases later in life; the so-called ‘atopic march’. There are thus short and long-term reasons to reduce the risk for AD. Probiotic consumption – starting with expecting mothers and continuing with newborn children – has consistently been shown to reduce the risk for AD, at an odds ratio of 0.61. Interestingly, this benefit appears to extend for many years after probiotic consumption. Also, it is likely that probiotics contribute to the correct development of the immune system. Savings can be substantial, as benefits may last a lifetime.

Practical applications

While they can influence disease outcomes and risks, most current probiotics would not qualify as ‘drugs’; they may reduce risk for certain diseases, but neither prevent nor cure them. This does not mean that there may not come a time that a specific probiotic would be considered as a drug.

The practical applications are that it is best to use products that have been studied for a specific health benefit. However, with probiotics, this may not always be straightforward.In this case, the best approach is to rely on products of good quality; products that report the strains and not just the species, and the counts at the end of shelf-life.

Furthermore, probiotics are among the safest dietary supplements and have an extremely good safety record. The benefits may thus be substantial while the risks – and costs – are small or negligible.