Probiotics

• These are live microbes, yeast present in body which are also beneficial for body.
• Number of microorganisms in a body is 10 times greater than actual number of cells in that body.
• Microbes are present within the body and also outside the body.
• These are easily available in markets, like probiotic drinks. For example: Yakult.
• Yakult is a probiotic drink which contain 65,000 bacteria approximately.
• Large intestine is highly populated with microorganisms as compare to other regions of body.
• We can also get them naturally from different kind of foods.
• They are able to attach and colonize to intestinal epithelia.
• Probiotics was first conceptualized by Elie Metchnikoff scientist in Pasteur university.
• He was a russian nobel prize winner.
• For example curd and yogurt contains very high number of microorganisms which are beneficial for human body.
• These microbes have vital functions in our body.

Functions of probiotics:

• They regulates the digestion of body.
• Lactobacillus acidophilus is most common and can be used to treat bacterial vaginosis.
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus improves the intestinal immunity.
• Probiotics removes the harmful microbes and do not let them colonize in intestine.
• They kill pathogens present in human gut.
• They supplies useful byproducts to our body.
• They produces antimicrobial compounds which antagonize the pathogens.
• They help in prevention and treatment of obesity.

Side effects

Those who have compromised immunity needs to take caution while taking probiotics,
because they can have infection in intestine.

They can change the ph of intestine and make it more acidic which is mostly prefered by
bacteria. As environment of gut changes from alkaline to acid good and bad bacteria can
go through competition and person may experience gas, bowels symptoms and loose stools.

Factors that affect growth and balance

• Many medications can interfere the bacteria of gut and can affect their growth. 
• Example: analgesics, painkillers, birth control pills etc.
• Once balance of microbes affected then it may take long time to recover.
• Change in temperature of body can also affect the balance of intestinal bacteria.
• Fermented foods can also cause imbalance in intestinal probiotics.