How probiotics act in the gut

Commensal microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract play an essential role not only in nutrition and digestion of food, but also influence metabolism, endocrine functions, proper gut development, and regulation of the immune system. By modifying and/or maintaining a certain type of bacterial flora within the gut, we may be able to prevent or treat intestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), as well as systemic diseases such as eczema, allergies, asthma, and diabetes. Numerous studies in mouse models and humans have already demonstrated how a single probiotic strain or combinations of s...