FASIHA FAYYAZ KHAN
PH.D Scholar
“DEATH SITS IN THE BOWELS; A BAD DIGESTION IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL
(HIPPOCRATES.Ca 400B.C)”
Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms which can administrated in sufficient amounts give
a health advantage on the host (FAO/ WHO). Probiotics are active microbial dietary supplements
that have strong beneficial influence on host intestinal tract. The lactobacillus and bifidobacteria
are most common genera which used as probiotics. Probiotics have rapidly gained interest in the
area of self-care and complementary medicine under the general term “functional foods.”
Modern consumers are increasingly interested in their personal health and particularly in foods
which are capable of preventing and/or curing illness. Microbes have been used for years in food
and alcoholic fermentations but only recently have undergone scientific scrutiny to examine their
possible health benefits. They are extensively used and consumed in fermented dairy products
like yogurts. Their health benefits are reported and justified their functional claims or claims of
reduced disease risks. Beneficial health effects of probiotics are enormous. Few of them are
reported including vitamin synthesis, improvement in lactose intolerance, and use in cancer
prevention, boosting immune system; facilitate the bowel movement, release constipation,
Helpful in prevention and reduction in diarrhea induced by rotavirus and antibiotic. Probiotics
are beneficial bacteria which can enhance our immunity and provide shield against diseases. It
also regulates the metabolism, appetite and helps the absorption of vitamins and minerals in gut.
It helps to improve the gastrointestinal tract health especially in diarrhea of any age group.
“Diseases of Civilization” such as obesity, heart diseases, diabetes, even cancer may prevent by
the regular use of probiotics. Lactic acid bacteria can participate in the synthesis of thiamine,
riboflavin, folic acid, niacin, vitamin B complex, and absorption of minerals .During the
digestion of food, they also partially break down protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Lactobacillus
facilitates several essential beneficial effects such as immunomodulatory , ant carcinogenic, and
antimicrobial actions. The normal human digestive tract contains about 400types of probiotics
bacteria and promote a healthy digestive system. These microorganisms are collectively called
our Gut flora, or beneficial bacteria and are estimated to make up about 3pounds of our body
weight. These bacteria include many different microbes both friendly and harmful.
Keeping the benefits of probiotics, they require more attention towards the product development
for consumers.
Such kind of projects is running under the supervision of DR.Shahkira Ghanzanfar
(Microbiologist at probiotic Lab, NIGAB NARC) and DR. Asma Sohail (Assit Prof. Insititute of
food science and Human nutrition, Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Agriculture university, Rawalpindi). This
research will be helpful to create the stable delivery system of probiotics which may increase the
shelf life of probiotics products.