Probiotika dieet-aanvullende preparate van lewende niepatogene mikroörganismes

Abstract

Meer as vier honderd spesies van verskillende kommensale mikroörganismes kom normaalweg op die mens se slymvliesoppervlaktes voor. Die verwantskap tussen hierdie mikroörganismes en die mens kan wissel van saprofities tot parasities tot simbioties. Twee van die belangrikste groepe van hierdie voordelige simbiotiese bakterieë ressorteer onder die genera Lactobacillus en Bifidobacterium wat onderskeidelik in die dunderm en kolon gevind word. Verlies of versteuring van die normale mukosale mikroflora kan bydra tot gesondheidsprobleme (soos diaree en voedselallergieë), en die terapeutiese of profilaktiese aanvulling van die normale flora is in sekere gastroïntestinale en immunologiese afwykings van waarde. Probiotika is dieet-aanvullende preparate wat bestaan uit lewende niepatogene mikroörganismes, wat natuurlik in die gastroïntestinale kanaal voorkom en wat die intestinale funksies, die mikrobiologiese balans, sowel as die algemene gesondheid verbeter wanneer dit in genoegsame hoeveelhede ingeneem word. Hierdie artikel bespreek meganismes waardeur probiotika die interne milieu kan bevoordeel, en gee 'n kort oorsig oor belangrike kliniese proewe op die profilaktiese en terapeutiese effekte van probiotika, sowel as moontlike newe effekte. Die geweldige toename in navorsing op die gebied van die natuurlike mikroflora en probiotika word gedeeltelik deur die kommersiële potensiaal van probiotiese preparate gedryf en talle hiervan is reeds in die handel beskikbaar. Die artikel sluit af met riglyne oor die beheer van die produksie en verspreiding van probiotiese preparate, soos gestel deur die Wêreld Gesondheidsorganisasie en aanbeveel in Suid-Afrika.

More than four hundred species of different commensal micro-organisms exist on human mucosal surfaces. The relationship between these micro-organisms and their human host varies from saprophitic, to parasitic, to symbiotic. Two of the most important groups of the beneficial symbiotic bacteria resort under the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which are found in the small intestine and colon, respectively. Loss or disturbance of the normal mucosal microflora may contribute to health problems (e.g. diarrhoea and food allergies), and the therapeutic or prophylactic supplementation of the normal flora is of value in certain gastrointestinal and immunological disturbances. Probiotics are diet supplements which consist of live non-pathogenic micro-organisms, which occur naturally in the gastrointestinal tract and which improve intestinal functions, the microbiological balance, as well as general health when ingested in sufficient quantities. This article discusses mechanisms by which probiotics can enhance the internal milieu, and provides a short summary of important clinical trials on the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of probiotics, as well as possible side-effects. The tremendous increase in research on the topic of natural microflora and probiotics is prompted partially through the commercial potential of probiotics, of which many different types are already commercially available. The article concludes with guidelines for the control of the production and distribution of probiotics as stated by the World Health Organisation and as suggested in South Africa.