Abstract
Probiotics are live microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer a demonstrated health benefit on the host. The definition requires that the identity, safety, and efficacy of each probiotic should be proved in human studies. Probiotics may influence human health by modifying the composition and/or activity of intestinal microbiota, by preventing or counteracting deviations in intestinal microbiota, or by direct impact on the host such as modulating the immune response. Current probiotics are mainly lactic acid bacteria or bifidobacteria. Each probiotic strain is unique, and therefore the demonstration of health benefits is required for each specific strain. Beneficial effects that have been demonstrated in human studies for specific strains include prevention and shortening of diarrhea and respiratory tract infections, reducing the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants, alleviation of symptoms of lactose intolerance, treatment of food allergy, and binding of toxins and pathogens from ingested foods or from the gastrointestinal tract.
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