Dairy Products Boost The Benefits Of Probiotics When Consumed Together

The effect of probiotics in improving human health may depend partly upon the food, beverages, or other material carrying the probiotics, a study shows.

Dairy products are the most popular food matrices for probiotic strains.

Probiotics - Support System for the Gut
Probiotics are live microorganisms that resemble the “good bacteria” in our gut. Science is yet to fully explore the healing potential of probiotics; meanwhile some studies have ruled in their favor.

"Our results say that the manner in which a probiotic is delivered -- whether in food or supplement form -- could influence how effective that probiotic is in delivering the desired health benefits," said author Maria Marco, associate professor in the department of food science and technology, University of California at Davis.

The researchers probed the probiotic strain, Lactobacillus casei BL23 in a mouse model of colitis, or inflammation of the colon.

The mice that ingested the probiotic in milk had reduced symptoms compared to those that were fed milk without the probiotic, and the ones that received the probiotic within a non-food supplement, says the study outlined in Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

Surprising Benefits of Dairy
Past studies have linked dairy foods to good bone health. Nevertheless newer studies are being published and a plethora of other benefits are being associated with dairy food consumption.

"The benefits of the probiotic involve a direct effect of L. casei, or of a metabolic product of these bacteria upon the intestinal epithelium, rather than a global alteration of the indigenous intestinal microbiota," said Marco.

"Strains of L. casei are commonly added to dairy products as probiotics and, while strain BL23 is not commercially available, it is genetically similar to commercial strains and has also been studied for its capacity to prevent or reduce intestinal inflammation."

How Helpful Bacteria in Probiotic Products Help Our Guts Fight Diseases
A strain of bacteria that provides relief for intestinal problems, respiratory infections and skin disorders can modify the activity of other gut bacteria.

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How Probiotics Can Improve Health, Prevent Disease Promote Healthy Immune System
A strain of good gut bacteria, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), provides relief in intestinal problems, respiratory infections and some skin disorders.