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

Can probiotics restore antibiotic-perturbed microbiota?

Probiotics can reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea but don't fully restore gut microbiota. Further studies are essential to evaluate their long-term effects.

19 Dec 2024

Could microalgae fermentation create the superfoods of the future?

Microalgae fermentation unlocks sustainable and nutritious food production, offering bioactive peptides with antidiabetic properties but faces challenges in consumer acceptance.

18 Dec 2024

Scientists examine probiotics role in restoring gut microbiota after antibiotics

Antibiotics are important clinical tools for treating bacterial infections, yet we recognize that an important side effect of antibiotic use is disruption of the microbial community living in the human gut.

17 Dec 2024

New study links specific E. coli strains to higher cancer incidence rates

Higher rates of certain cancers in countries, such as the UK, may be linked to two particular strains of bacteria.

6 Dec 2024

Woman’s saliva could offer clues to stress and mental health during pregnancy

New research out of Michigan State University found that the number and type of microbes present in the saliva of pregnant women differ according to whether they are experiencing life stress and symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

27 Nov 2024

Probiotics shown to mitigate effects of toxic fire-retardant chemicals

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs, are fire-retardant chemicals that are found everywhere -; upholstery, carpets, curtains, electronics, and even infant products.

23 Nov 2024

Fermented kimchi may help combat obesity by regulating gut microbiota

Kimchi consumption significantly reduces body fat and enhances metabolic indicators in overweight individuals, highlighting its role in obesity management.

22 Nov 2024

Pregnancy stress and mental health affect the oral microbiome

The number and type of microbes present in the saliva of pregnant women differ according to whether they are experiencing life stress and symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), finds a study published in the open access journal BMJ Mental Health.

20 Nov 2024

Can probiotics improve insulin resistance in women with PCOS?

The review highlights the role of probiotics and synbiotics in enhancing insulin sensitivity and hormonal balance in PCOS, suggesting new avenues for treatment.

20 Nov 2024

Western diet accelerates endometriosis growth and disrupts gut health

This study found that a Western diet doubles the growth of endometriotic lesions in mice and depletes the gut microbiome's beneficial bacterium, Akkermansia muciniphila, which may exacerbate endometriosis symptoms.

12 Nov 2024

Ketogenic diet linked to gut microbes and seizure reduction in epileptic children

The ketogenic diet's anti-seizure effects in children may be influenced by gut bacteria and metabolites, highlighting their role in epilepsy treatment.

7 Nov 2024

Gut health and diet: Keys to treating acne, alopecia, and dermatitis

Consuming diets rich in fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, combined with the use of probiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics, improves overall skin health.

24 Oct 2024

Scientists discover gut microbiome differences in children with autism

Researchers found differences in gut bacteria between children with autism and typically developing children but caution that more research is needed to clarify these associations and their therapeutic potential.

20 Oct 2024

Researchers awarded $7 million to innovate probiotic treatments for lung infections

University of California San Diego and University of California Berkeley researchers have been awarded up to $7 million from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) to conduct research under the PROTECT project -; Pro/Prebiotic Regulation for Optimized Treatment and Eradication of Clinical Threats.

10 Oct 2024