Great Equalization: Is MBBS From India Equal To M.D. In U.S.A?
Great Equalization: Is MBBS From India Equal To M.D. In U.S.A?
Great Equalization: Is MBBS From India Equal To M.D. In U.S.A?
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SPECIAL ARTICLE<br />
AAPI Journal • March 2009<br />
Probiotic Theraphy<br />
by M.S. Reddy, M.D & D.R.K. Reddy, M.D.<br />
Probiotics as Therapeutic Agents:<br />
Probiotics are bacteria or<br />
microorganisms that are beneficial to<br />
the health of an individual. They are<br />
essentially the opposite of<br />
antibiotics, which are inhibitory to<br />
other bacteria (including Probiotic<br />
bacteria). The word ‘Probiotic’ is<br />
derived from two Greek words, ‘Pro’<br />
and ‘Bios’, meaning ‘for life’.<br />
Probiotics are non-pathogenic, do<br />
not produce toxins, and are<br />
considered natural. The Probiotics<br />
organisms are believed to exhibit<br />
therapeutic effects because of their<br />
innate ability to produce lactic acid<br />
and other substances that are<br />
inhibitory to harmful bacteria. They<br />
naturally reside in the human<br />
intestinal tract at receptor sites in the<br />
ileum, where they create a mildly<br />
acidic environment that is not<br />
favorable for the growth and viability<br />
of pathogenic microorganisms,<br />
including viruses.<br />
These beneficial bacteria have an<br />
antagonistic effect on pathogenic<br />
bacteria, while antibiotics have an<br />
antagonistic effect on Probiotics.<br />
Consequently, when a person is<br />
treated with antibiotics, the<br />
Probiotics residing in the<br />
gastrointestinal tract can be inhibited,<br />
adding another layer of complexity<br />
to the illness. <strong>To</strong> counteract this<br />
problem, some physicians prescribe<br />
the use of Probiotics following use of<br />
an antibiotic, in order to restore<br />
healthy gastrointestinal flora.<br />
Considerable judgment should be<br />
exercised by the physician in<br />
prescribing a proper Probiotic by<br />
taking into account its physiological<br />
and biochemical properties.<br />
Since Probiotics are natural<br />
inhabitants of the human<br />
gastrointestinal tract, they have to be<br />
maintained in proper balance to<br />
bestow good health. Modern foods<br />
that contain preservatives and dyes,<br />
etc., are not beneficial to the<br />
gastrointestinal flora, especially<br />
Probiotics. Consequently, in order to<br />
maintain and ensure proper<br />
gastrointestinal eco-flora, continuous<br />
or periodic supplementation of<br />
Probiotics is a must.<br />
Potential Benefits of Probiotic Therapy:<br />
Before proceeding with a<br />
discussion on the benefits of<br />
Probiotic therapy, let us review the<br />
microbiological composition of the<br />
human gastrointestinal tract. The<br />
human gastrointestinal tract harbors a<br />
variety of microorganisms. The<br />
human stomach content, i.e. gastric<br />
juice, has only 10 to 100<br />
microorganisms per milliliter (ml) or<br />
gram. <strong>In</strong> the upper portion of the<br />
small intestine, i.e. the duodenum,<br />
the bacterial population in the<br />
contents range from 1000 to 10,000<br />
per/ml. The bacterial population<br />
increases as we go down to the distal<br />
part of the ileum to 1,000,000 to<br />
10,000,000 per/ml of the contents.<br />
The colon has 100 billion to 1 trillion<br />
bacteria per/ml of the contents. <strong>In</strong><br />
the entire colon, the total number of<br />
bacteria is roughly 100 trillion or<br />
more. The total number of eucaryotic<br />
cells (cells with definite nucleus) in<br />
the human being is roughly 10<br />
trillion. Thus, the colon bacterial cell<br />
population exceeds the total host cell<br />
population by ten times or more.<br />
The bacterial population in the gut<br />
has been adapted through<br />
associative growth relationships.<br />
There are many factors that interfere<br />
with this normal dynamic balance.<br />
Various factors contribute to this<br />
eco-imbalance, including the intake<br />
of chemicals, antibiotics, etc. Under<br />
these adverse conditions, the<br />
microflora that are beneficial health<br />
promoters are replaced by<br />
pathogenic bacteria such as<br />
Clostridia, sulphate reducers, certain<br />
Bacteroides species, etc. These<br />
pathogenic bacteria predispose the<br />
host to a number of clinical<br />
disorders, and infections by transient<br />
enteropathogens. Thus, maintenance<br />
of balanced beneficial intestinal<br />
microflora, consisting of<br />
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium,<br />
etc. is essential. It raises a very<br />
important issue regarding the validity<br />
of antibiotic therapy. <strong>In</strong> our opinion,<br />
the microbial ecosystem of the small<br />
intestine and colon dictate the<br />
overall health and well being of the<br />
human.<br />
The following are some of the<br />
benefits of Probiotic therapy:<br />
1. Reduction of lactose<br />
malabsorption: Half of the<br />
world population is unable to<br />
utilize lactose. Lactose<br />
malabsorption can be corrected<br />
by probiotics. Lactose is a<br />
disaccharide made of glucose<br />
and galactose. A person who<br />
lacks the enzyme lactase in the<br />
gut cannot digest lactose and<br />
thus develops clinical symptoms<br />
of typical lactose intolerance.<br />
Probiotics, especially L.<br />
acidophilus, have the B-<br />
galactosidase enzyme, which<br />
can break down the<br />
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