Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay
09:20

Investigating the Effects of Probiotics on Pneumococcal Colonization Using an In Vitro Adherence Assay

Published on: April 28, 2014

Probiotics in health and disease in the pediatric patient

Jonathan E Markowitz1, Stig Bengmark

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. MarkowitzJ@email.chop.edu

Pediatric Clinics of North America
|February 6, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Probiotics, beneficial bacteria and yeast, were once common in diets but are now less so due to modern food processing. Recent scientific advancements allow for the consistent production of probiotics for medical use, offering potential health benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Human Microbiome Research
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Probiotics, including beneficial bacteria and yeast, were historically integral to the human diet.
  • Modern food preparation and preservation techniques have systematically reduced the presence of these beneficial microorganisms.
  • The scientific understanding and application of probiotics are still in early stages, despite the concept being ancient.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the historical context and current scientific standing of probiotics.
  • To highlight recent advancements in the identification, culturing, and production of medical-grade probiotics.
  • To explore the expanding potential applications of probiotics in human health.

Main Methods:

  • Review of historical dietary practices related to probiotics.
  • Analysis of recent scientific literature on probiotic identification and production techniques.
  • Exploration of emerging research on the therapeutic potential of probiotics.

Main Results:

  • Probiotics were a natural component of ancestral diets but are now largely absent due to food processing.
  • New techniques enable consistent production of probiotics suitable for medical applications.
  • The scope of potential probiotic uses is broader than previously understood.

Conclusions:

  • Probiotics are not a cure-all but can be a valuable addition to existing therapies.
  • Appropriate use of probiotics can help stabilize the human microbiome's delicate ecosystem.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand and utilize the benefits of probiotics.

More Related Videos

Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods08:38

Novel Production Protocol for Small-scale Manufacture of Probiotic Fermented Foods

Published on: September 10, 2016

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage10:36

Probiotic Studies in Neonatal Mice Using Gavage

Published on: January 27, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics01:29

Microorganisms in Medicine and Therapeutics

Microorganisms play a fundamental role in vaccine development, gene therapy, and therapeutic production. Their biological properties are harnessed to advance medicine and public health. Beyond immunization, microorganisms contribute to gut health, antibiotic synthesis, and genetic disease treatment.Live Attenuated and Inactivated VaccinesLive attenuated vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, utilize weakened forms of pathogens to closely resemble natural infections.
Probiotics01:22

Probiotics

Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...
Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics01:21

Microbiota Modulation by Antibiotics

Antibiotics have revolutionized modern medicine by saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, their widespread use has inadvertently harmed the delicate balance of the human gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, a complex community of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi, plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, immune responses, and maintaining intestinal health. Antibiotics, especially broad-spectrum types, disrupt this ecosystem by eradicating both harmful and beneficial...