Could probiotics cause a gastrointestinal ecology disaster?

« Les aliments probiot... | Main | Pulque, the most... »

Which emotional profile corresponds to each platform?1-digestive, 2-immunity, 3-vaginal
1-digestive, 2-vaginal, 3-immunity
1-immunity,2-digestive, 3-vaginal

by Martin Macouzet, Ph. D. on 03/28/12

When a curious ecologically responsible student asked me that question, I answered confidently: “the conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract are too harsh for probiotics, so they don’t stay around for long enough to modify the microbial ecology irreversibly. After probiotics accomplish their intended function and the individual stops consuming them, they get gradually washed out and the GI microbiota equilibrium is rapidly restored”

While I stick to my answer in the case of the currently available probiotics, I wonder if a new generation of probiotics will eventually pose that risk. New probiotic screening methods facilitate the selection of microbial strains with the desired profile. Accordingly, new probiotics will be each time more resistant and will have “enhanced functions”. We know safety of new probiotics has to be demonstrated but, what if in the long term a “safe super strain” dominates over certain native species leading to their exclusion?

Examples of ecological disasters caused by the introduction of foreign species into new ecosystems are abundant and our ignorance about the GI microbiome is huge, so… should we be afraid of probiotics? Definitely not, just keep in mind this matter for future developments and probiotic safety assessments. I wouldn’t like to meet the student in the future and face the embarrassing comment: “I told you”.

What do you think?

Comments (5)

1. M. Moseti said on 3/29/12 - 12:34PM

To some extent 'yes' and 'no' Example fermented/ sour milk, if you consume these product especially when the culture bringing about souring is in the exponential phase(rapid activity), you will tend to experience blotted gastrium due to gases as a result of culture activities,flatulence, indigestion.But when the culture is less volatile (plateau phase),when consumed will not bring much gastrointestinal disaster. N/B Including lactose intolerant patients.

2. M. Leonidas said on 3/29/12 - 12:37PM

Martin, as always in a "life-derived equation", there are more than one variable here.. This is not just about the probiotic but also about the "owner of the GIT", his/her overall health status, habits, etc. We know it but most importantly, our bacteria know it, too :).

3. C. Ogbonna said on 3/29/12 - 01:08PM

Martin, you were right in the answers that you gave the student owing to the knowledge that we have today about probiotics. But looking at the volume of results coming from probiotics study in diverse areas of life, my fear is that if we do not control the use of bacteria of non-human origin as probiotics, then there could be higher chance for a disaster if ever there should be one. Like human beings, when bacteria change their environments they may exhibit new and strange habits, which either fizzles away soon or remains as part of the norm. And just like Michael commented, there are various variables that may trigger a cascade of actions in the host as well as on the bacteria that could result in 'disaster' or prevent the 'disaster'.....we will see!

4. Raymond said on 4/4/12 - 09:20PM

To be on the safe side stick to consuming a varied diet including plenty of soluble and insoluble fibre; especially if you are on a long term anti-biotic. Your GIT will maintain a healthy biota regarrdless.

5. B. Yalinkiliç said on 4/5/12 - 07:03AM

Having antibiotic resistance genes can make a problem for the GIT ecology.

Leave a comment

« Les aliments probiot... | Main | Pulque, the most... »

1.	M. Moseti said on 3/29/12 - 12:34PM
	To some extent 'yes' and 'no' Example fermented/ sour milk, if you consume these product especially when the culture bringing about souring is in the exponential phase(rapid activity), you will tend to experience blotted gastrium due to gases as a result of culture activities,flatulence, indigestion.But when the culture is less volatile (plateau phase),when consumed will not bring much gastrointestinal disaster. N/B Including lactose intolerant patients.
2.	M. Leonidas said on 3/29/12 - 12:37PM
	Martin, as always in a "life-derived equation", there are more than one variable here.. This is not just about the probiotic but also about the "owner of the GIT", his/her overall health status, habits, etc. We know it but most importantly, our bacteria know it, too :).
3.	C. Ogbonna said on 3/29/12 - 01:08PM
	Martin, you were right in the answers that you gave the student owing to the knowledge that we have today about probiotics. But looking at the volume of results coming from probiotics study in diverse areas of life, my fear is that if we do not control the use of bacteria of non-human origin as probiotics, then there could be higher chance for a disaster if ever there should be one. Like human beings, when bacteria change their environments they may exhibit new and strange habits, which either fizzles away soon or remains as part of the norm. And just like Michael commented, there are various variables that may trigger a cascade of actions in the host as well as on the bacteria that could result in 'disaster' or prevent the 'disaster'.....we will see!
4.	Raymond said on 4/4/12 - 09:20PM
	To be on the safe side stick to consuming a varied diet including plenty of soluble and insoluble fibre; especially if you are on a long term anti-biotic. Your GIT will maintain a healthy biota regarrdless.
5.	B. Yalinkiliç said on 4/5/12 - 07:03AM
	Having antibiotic resistance genes can make a problem for the GIT ecology.