Introduction
Probiotics supplements have become more popular globally among different populations to achieve better nutrition cum health. In the human body, some microorganisms always play active roles in the digestion and absorption of food to maintain gastrointestinal health. Generally, probiotics are naturally originated from fermented foods and cultured milk. Many traditional foods are already popular in western countries that are often consumed as naturally-originated probiotics such as greek yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut.1, 2
In recent days, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals companies manufacture different probiotic supplements for digestive health issues based on market demand. Probiotic supplements do work as mediators in health and nutrition in the human host. Various studies show the relationship between microbiota and pathophysiological disease processes in the host's digestive, nervous, urinary, and genital systems.3
Research Methods
A short narrative review study mainly highlighted various probiotics available both in natural and supplements in the global as well Indian market. Rather than revenue and economic analysis, the study is more concerned about the proper uses in clinical nutrition for the patients suffering from various gastrointestinal health issues (gut health). Some related keywords and phrases are searched in multiple open-access databases and review in a simple narrative review manner.4 The study also discusses the many important health issues where probiotics can be recommended. In addition to that, it also emphasized elaborate side effects, special contraindications, and warnings. More importantly, physicians or dietitians, and other health care experts can only advise the right one to particular patients.5
Discussions
Probiotic supplement market
Functional foods and beverages enrich some probiotics that have occupied a good market share in the last few decades. Many natural probiotics contain active physiological ingredients that help with various metabolic, physiological, and nutritional benefits. There is an increasing demand for non-dairy probiotic supplements or low lactose and cholesterol content for a long time. A recent report showed that the number of reviews cum analytical studies available for probiotics increased by 164% and 111% subsequently in 2019 and 2020 among inflammation, diabetes, and muscular health consumers.6
Global human microbiota and other similar supplements market was observed the value at tentatively 722 US million in 2017 and is expected to reach approximately 1,350 million by the year 2024. The CAGR would be tentatively 9.42% from 2018 to 2024. The key players in the global probiotic supplements market are Danone, Nestle, Activia, Yakult, Actimel, and Yakult. Bright Dairy, Lifeway Foods Inc., BioGaia, and CHR Hansen are other prominent and promising companies in the same fields.7, 8, 9
Table 1
Probiotics recommendation in the following diseases
Colic and ulcerative colitis: Probiotic bacteria are usually present inside the gastrointestinal system in a host body as a symbiotic relationship. They, along with their collective genomes, are called the gut microbiome, maintain intestinal microbial balance. Probiotics natural and supplements both can enhance gut function and progress local immunity.10, 11
Constipation: Prolonged fecal stasis in the colon of patients suffering from constipation can be improved by gut microbiota, increasing fecal motility and enzymatic actions. However, despite significant effects, there is no firm evidence of activity by probiotic supplements towards constipation.12, 13 The best-recommended treatment is a soft cum bland diet with adequate fiber and fluid intake.
Crohn's disease: In this disease, immunosuppressors are recommended to reduce the host response, and antibiotics are used to diminish the action of the bacterial flora. Some genetic and microbiological studies show that the intestinal microbiota is one of the significant factors chronic suffering of the Crohn's inflammatory process in genetically susceptible persons. Commercial probiotics are highly recommended in addition to other natural functional foods for CD.14, 15
Diarrhea: people are always advised to consume probiotic foods along with plenty of electrolytes during diarrhea. Diarrhea is the second-largest cause of death among children who are under five years of age. In all these cases, probiotics that are non-pathogenic live microorganisms can prevent and survive in the stomach and small bowel. Hence, probiotics are highly preventive and curative in different diarrhea.16, 17
Dyslipidemia: Intestinal microbiota modulate the mechanisms that are the risk factors for various cardiovascular diseases, even dyslipidemia. In a study, probiotics supplements significantly reduced low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglycerides (TGL), and enhanced high-density lipoprotein. Some benefits were also observed on glycemic control, anthropometric variables, oxidative stress, immune system, and inflammation.18
Irritable bowel syndrome: Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a prevalent gastrointestinal condition that affects millions of people worldwide. New hypotheses about the pathogenesis of IBS have emerged in recent years. Changes in gut motility, small-bowel bacterial overgrowth, microscopic inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, and changes in the brain-gut axis are all examples of these notions.19
Lactose intolerance: Probiotic bacteria found in fermented and unfermented milk products have been shown to help with the clinical symptoms of lactose intolerance (LI). Probiotics are live bacteria or yeast that help to balance the gut flora. Lactose intolerance symptoms and HBT could be reduced safely and efficiently by probiotic yogurt enriched with L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium sp.20, 21
Gluten intolerance: In celiac disease patients, wheat gliadin causes severe intestinal symptoms and mucosal destruction in the small intestine. At this time, the only effective treatment for the disease is a strict gluten-free diet for the rest of one's life. B. lactis bacteria can directly reverse the adverse effects of coeliac-toxic gliadin, indicating that more research into its potential as a novel dietary supplement is warranted.22, 23
Mechanism of action of probiotics
In the below Table 2. mode of actions have been discussed for various available probiotics that are usually consumed by common and typical patients
Table 2
Mechanism of action of various probiotics
|
Nutritional impact |
Some types of microbiota can play a significant role in producing vitamins such as vitamin k, B complex, niacin, B1, B6. They also have short-chain fatty acids by gut microbiota. 24 |
|
Pathogen resistance |
Probiotics can prevent opportunities infections by secretion of SCFAs, lactic acid. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in probiotics can inhibit the growth of pathogenic organisms. 25 |
|
Immunity actions |
Probiotics are capable of acting as an anti-inflammatory by activating IL-12, IL-10 natural killer cells immunity. 26 |
|
Drug and Xenobiotic metabolism |
Natural probiotics and supplements can function on xenobiotics that er potentially harmful chemical substances like pesticides, cosmetics. Further, they can metabolize medicine like paracetamol by the inhibition of hepatic sulfotransferases. 27 |
|
Bile acid metabolism |
Bacteroides intestinalis as a potential gut microbiota can dehydrate and deconjugate primary bile acids and convert them into secondary bile acids to prevent vegetative growth of C. difficile. 28 |
Contraindications/Adverse effects29, 30
According to a 2002 report published by World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization, probiotics are not always safe. They have proper recommendations from the physicians or dietitians. Systemic infections, harmful metabolic activities, excessive immunological stimulation in sensitive people, gene transfer, and gastrointestinal side effects are all examples of adverse consequences or side effects (Table 3). To accurately identify the occurrence and severity of probiotic-related side effects, more study is needed. Gas or bloating are the most common side effects, which are usually moderate.
Table 3
Conclusions
The probiotics supplements market is growing due to the demand from various gastric patients. Probiotics are recommended for gastrointestinal health issues and other critical issues like poor immunity, weight management, proper nutrition. The supplements are highly effective many times in the infections of multiple systems and better actions of some medications. Probiotics can be recommended for general treatment to medical nutrition therapy by experienced medical professionals. Altogether, proper recommendations and limitations must be scientifically understood at the experts' and patients' levels. Hence, more research and awareness are required to acquire more knowledge on probiotics.
