Therapeutic role of dietary lactobacilli and lactobacillic fermented dairy products

Abstract

Lactic acid bacteria present in the human and animal gut are introduced through fermented milk products, food and feed supplements containing viable bacteria. Lactobacillus species, such as L. acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. lactis along with B. bifidum and Streptococcus faecium constitute an integral part of the healthy gastro-intestinal microecology and are involved in the host metabolism. They impart nutritional and therapeutic benefits to the consumer. The vitamins and enzymes produced by the lactic acid bacteria contribute to host metabolism. The antimicrobial substances produced by these bacteria control the proliferation of undesired pathogens. They also elaborate enzymes that aid host metabolism. This is particularly true in case of lactase nonpersistent individuals. Their anticholesteremic properties assist in lowering serum cholesterol. It has been suggested that the tumor suppression trait of these microbes reduces the incidence of colon cancer.