Probiotic

Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be healthy for the host organism. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: "Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host".

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are thought to be beneficial in preventing several health conditions. They are usually consumed as supplements or yoghurts and are also referred to as “good bacteria.”

Probiotic Strains

Probiotic Research

Probiotic Benefits

Probiotic Side Effects

Probiotics History

Friendly bacteria: do we really need to eat probiotic yogurts?

Kefir Health Benefits

Can Probiotics Ever Be Harmful to Human Health?

Latest Probiotic News and Research

Gut bacteria may play a role in prostate cancer therapies

A new study from Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University illustrates how the gut microbiome interacts with an oral medication in prostate cancer patients, suggesting bacteria in the gut play a role in treatment outcomes.

30 Sep 2020

Study highlights need for scientific, pharmaceutical standards for developing live biotherapeutic products

The Pharmabiotic Research Institute (PRI), Europe's only regulatory expertise centre for the development of microbiome-based drug products, has announced the publication of a review titled "Live biotherapeutic products: the importance of a defined regulatory framework".

18 Sep 2020

Probiotics may help manage obesity in younger population

Probiotics may help children and adolescents with obesity lose weight when taken alongside a calorie-controlled diet, according to a study being presented at e-ECE 2020.

7 Sep 2020

Innovative technique tracks human milk nutrients in infant gut microbiome

A new study in mice helps explain why gut microbiomes of breastfed infants can differ greatly from those of formula-fed infants.

1 Sep 2020

Health experts provide guidelines on scientific investigation of synbiotics

Chances are you've heard of or even taken probiotics: supplements delivering "good microbes" to the gut, providing a wide range of health benefits. If you're really up on your gut health, you may also be aware of prebiotics: supplements designed to fuel the good microbes already living in our guts.

25 Aug 2020

Leading international scientists advance a new definition of synbiotics

The word 'synbiotic' appears on a growing number of food and supplement products, with synbiotic ingredients showing promise for modulating the community of microbes living in the human gut, while providing a health benefit.

21 Aug 2020

Scientists investigate the role of contractility and microbiota in chronic constipation

Chronic constipation (CC) remains a serious medical and social problem because the complexity of diagnosis, the lack of a single approach to treatment, and unsatisfactory treatment results.

20 Aug 2020

Developing new fluorescent metal sensors to peer into the gastrointestinal tract

A University of Houston researcher is developing a new set of metal sensors that will be able to function in the gastrointestinal tract, a low oxygen environment, to examine how gut bacteria respond when trace metal nutrients, like iron and zinc, are thrown out of balance either through diet or disease.

19 Aug 2020

Microbial diversity can improve treatment for cancer patients

Physicians at City of Hope, working in collaboration with scientists at Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), have found that greater gut microbial diversity in patients with metastatic kidney cancer is associated with better treatment outcomes on Food and Drug Administration-approved immunotherapy regimens.

19 Aug 2020

Ecological framework predicts key factors that determine the efficacy of FMT

We may not think about it often, but our gut is home to a complex ecosystem of microorganisms that play a critical role in how we function.

31 Jul 2020

Four simple criteria for a bacterial strain to be called probiotic

Today, the word probiotic is used to describe all kinds of "good" microorganisms in foods and supplements: those found in yogurt or fermented sauerkraut, or even those found naturally in the human digestive tract.

27 Jul 2020

Study shows how gut microbiota may contribute to type 2 diabetes

The individual mix of microorganisms in the human gastrointestinal tract provides vital clues as to how any future incidence of type 2 diabetes can be predicted, prevented and treated. This is demonstrated in a population study led from the University of Gothenburg.

13 Jul 2020

Morinaga Milk’s probiotic B. breve A1 improves memory functions of older adults with MCI

Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese dairy product company and a key global probiotics manufacturer, confirmed that its proprietary probiotic strain Bifidobacterium breve A1 (a.k.a. B. breve MCC1274) is safe and effective for improving memory functions of older adults with suspected mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT).

10 Jul 2020

Study: E. coli Nissle may also protect human cells against other pathogenic strains

Typically, there aren't a lot of positive thoughts when E. coli, generally found in animal and human intestines, is mentioned. It's been blamed for closing beaches and swimming pools and shuttering restaurants because of contamination in salad bars, meats or other food items.

8 Jul 2020

Research shows probiotics can help combat anxiety and depression

Previous research has tied mental health issues and developmental disorders to gut health. Now, a team of British scientists has shown that foods that broaden the profile of helpful bacteria in the gut, which are collectively known as probiotics, can help ease anxiety and depression.

7 Jul 2020

Study finds overabundance of opportunistic pathogens in the guts of persons with Parkinson's

Parkinson's disease is a common, progressive and debilitating neurodegenerative disease. It currently cannot be prevented or cured.

18 Jun 2020

Study: Probiotic derived from Chinese pickles can prevent cavities

Can a probiotic derived from Chinese pickles prevent cavities? That seems to be the case, according to a study by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Chengdu University in China.

11 Jun 2020

Probiotics are not recommended for most digestive conditions

It is estimated that more than 3.9 million American adults have taken some form of probiotics, with many patients looking to probiotics to improve their gastrointestinal health.

9 Jun 2020

Journal publication supports Synlogic’s first clinical immuno-oncology program, SYNB1891

Synlogic, Inc., a clinical-stage company applying synthetic biology to beneficial microbes to develop novel, living medicines, today announced the publication in Nature Communications of preclinical data supporting its first clinical immuno-oncology program, SYNB1891, which is being evaluated in Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors or lymphoma.

2 Jun 2020