Chapter 14 - Probiotics and Prebiotics: Effects on Diarrhea

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the effect of probiotics and prebiotics to prevent diarrhea or inflammatory bowel disease. According to the World Health Organization, diarrhea is defined as “the passage of three or more loose or liquid stools per day, or more frequently than is normal for the individual.” Diarrhea occurs when fluid absorption by the colon is insufficient, e.g., if the colon is damaged or inflamed. Diarrhea can be due to viral or bacterial infections, food-borne illnesses, allergies, food and particularly lactose intolerance, or the ingestion of laxatives or foods with laxative properties, and it is accompanied by abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. In all types of diarrhea, probiotic bacteria show a more or less preventive or therapeutic effect, dependent on the bacterial strain and its antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties. They support the intestinal defense against viruses, potentially harmful bacteria, or toxins at all levels, stabilize a balanced composition of the intestinal microbiota, and prevent an excessive overgrowth of commensals and potential harmful bacteria of the autochthonal microbiota.