Application and Challenges of Using Probiotic Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium to Enhance Overall Health and Manage Diseases

Abstract

Probiotics are known for their health benefits, and new studies suggest they could help with various conditions. However, the specific formulations and mechanisms of probiotics in addressing these issues are still being explored. This review focuses on four key areas: cancer, aging, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, highlighting the potential benefits of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotics. Their interaction with the immune system plays a crucial role in offering protection and therapeutic effects, particularly in enhancing immunity in older adults. The review sheds light on how these probiotics affect the immune system, gut microbiome, and related processes to manage or combat these health problems. It emphasizes the importance of customizing probiotic formulations for specific conditions, as different combinations of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium uniquely activate immune cells. Some combinations work as effective treatments for diseases, while others boost immunity in aging. While the potential of these probiotics is significant, challenges remain in using them for cancer, age-related diseases, autoimmune diseases neurodegenerative disorder treatments. Limited evidence calls for further research to define their role and establish guidelines. Future approaches like strain engineering, nanoencapsulation, synbiotics, and personalized microbiome analysis aim to overcome these challenges, making probiotics a more viable option for disease prevention and care. Additionally, there is an urgent need for clinical trials to ensure patients can benefit from these probiotics.