Claimed Applications of Probiotics in Animals and Humans

Fermented milk products have been used therapeutically in the ancient systems of medicine in the Near and Middle East for centuries. However, the nutritional and therapeutic value of lactic acid organisms is still controversial. Several preclinical and clinical studies have been performed, showing that fermentation of food with lactobacilli increases the quantity, availability, digestibility and assimilability of nutrients. A number of studies also show that ingestion of preparations containing lactobacilli lowers the serum cholesterol level in humans and animals. Fermented dairy products have also been claimed to inhibit tumor proliferation and to enhance the immune functions. Fermented dairy products and lyophilized lactobacilli preparations have also proved to be useful in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation and infections such as salmonellosis, shigellosis and antibioticinduced diarrhea. Lactobacillus GG has been useful in the treatment of recurring diarrhea caused by toxin produced by Clostridium difficile. A preparation of Lactobacillus brevis has been found to be effective in the treatment of recurrent headache. Lactobacilli have also been successfully used as adjuvants in the treatment of fungal and protozoal vaginitis and in the treatment of non-specific bacterial vaginitis. The nutritional and therapeutic benefits of lactobacilli are summarized in Figure 2.1.