Harnessing microbiota as anti-infectives

Abstract

Probiotics are living bacteria that are present in yogurt and other fermented food products including pills. They promote and enhance health benefits especially human digestive system. Normally the human body has trillions upon trillions of bacteria within the digestive track, and even they are ingested every time we swallow. Many of these swallowed bacteria may be advantageous, while most are simply inactive and does not cause any problem. Most important human probiotic microorganisms include Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Lactococcus spp., and Streptococcus. Probiotics are used to recover the internal organ health and to activate the system. They are used to improve diarrhea, lactose intolerance, and calcium absorption from the gut, act against carcinogens, enhance immune response, prevent allergies and atopic diseases in infants, and improve cholesterol levels in blood and in turn helpful to heart disorders. In this chapter, we had discussed the benefits of probiotics on digestive track and overall human health.