How do probiotics work?

Probiotics have been shown to work by the following mechanisms:

• Competition for nutrients
Within the gut, beneficial as well as pathogenic microorganisms will be utilising the same types of nutrients. This results in a general competition between microorganisms for these nutrients. When a probiotic is administered there is an overall reduction in nutrients available for pathogenic bacteria and consequently this minimises the levels of pathogenic microorganisms.

• Competition for adhesion sites
Probiotics can attach to the gut wall and form colonies at various sites throughout the gut.  This prevents pathogenic bacteria from gaining a foothold, resulting in their expulsion from the body.

•  Improvement in digestion
Probiotics have been shown to increase the efficiency of digestion.

• Lactic acid production
Probiotics produce lactic acid which acts to reduce the gut pH, inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria, which prefer a more alkaline environment.

• Effect on immunity
Probiotics have been shown to increase the levels of cell-signalling chemicals and the effectiveness of infection-fighting cells (white blood cells).

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