Biology Discussion 4 - Essay Example

Probiotics" Probiotics, pro= promoting, biotic= life; are considered as the "novel health miracles" of the present era. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), "Probiotics are live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host". Thus, probiotics promote life and are referred as beneficial bacteria. Probiotics are advantageous to the host as they enhance the intestinal microbial balance and inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic and toxin producing microbes.

Research is being carried out across the world to establish the role of probiotics especially of intestinal lactic acid bacteria, Lactobacillus, in enhancing immunity, aids in overcoming constipation, common cold, supports in combating cancer of colon and also to check the antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), together with other diseases of intestine encompassing irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, lactose intolerance, to influence cholesterol levels, blood pressure, minimizing inflammation, reducing the incidence of peptic ulcers.

Besides the impending advantages, probiotics are also known to portray some serious side effects encompassing lactobacillus septicemia, obesity etc ("Probiotics"). Lactobacillus is the most dominant organism in the vaginal microflora. As the vaginal microflora directly influences the establishment of infants gut microflora soon after the birth it directly implicates the kind of response child exhibits towards environmental conditions as well as allergies. Evidence suggests that diet during pregnancy may affect the establishment of vaginal microflora.

During summer season the consumption of water is more as compared to the winter where consumption of rich food more of solids and heat providing food is taken in. During the course of birth the fetus passes through the vaginal canal and hence first exposure to microbial world takes place. Depending on this exposure, microbial flora in the gut gets established (Thoma et al, 2011). Probiotics mainly contains Lactobacillus besides other microbes and probably respond in a different manner towards established intestinal microflora for the children born between January and June as compared to the children born between July and December.

Works Cited"Probiotics". Web. 29 May 2012. .Thoma, M. E., Klebanoff, M. A., Rovner, A. J., Nansel, T. R., Neggers, Y., Andrews, W. W., Schwebke, J. R. "Bacterial vaginosis is associated with variation in dietary indices". J Nutr. 141(9): 1698-704. 2011.