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 bacteria 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
Beneficial bacteria 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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