Probiotics

Probiotics (from greek pro bios – for life). According to the currently adopted definition by WHO, probiotics are live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.

Probiotics are mainly lactic acid bacteria, and also some yeasts. Probiotic organisms have accompanied humans for centuries. They naturally appear in dairy and pickled products. However, only at the beginning of the 20th century their beneficial properties were discovered. It was Ilya Mechnikov, a Russian researcher and scientist (Nobel prize winner in the field of medicine), who made this discovery. Fascinated with the longevity of Bulgarian peasants who ate naturally fermented dairy products, he proved the beneficial activity of lactic acid bacteria.

Lactic acid bacteria are live microorganisms which appear in the human body and human environment. Inside the human body, lactic acid bacteria are settled in the lower gastrointestinal tract – large intestine, and in the female urogenital system, where they create bacterial microflora beneficial for human health. In the opinion of many medical specialists, these bacteria allow to reduce the risk of development or intensification of selected diseases. Lactic acid bacteria are used in the food industry for production of fermented milk drinks. With their participation, drinks like yoghurt or kefir are produced. In the pharmaceutical industry, probiotics are used for production of products which help to rapidly and effectively replenish deficiencies and improve the condition of human microflora. The best known and the most often used are strains from Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (ATCC 53103) is a lactic acid bacteria strain used in Dicoflor and Floridral.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was isolated in 1983 from the gastrointestinal tract of healthy humans. It was patented on 17 April 1985 by Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin (“GG” abbreviation in the name of the strain comes from the first letters of their surnames). In 1985 the first general properties were shown, the ones which were included in the patent. These were, among others, high stability both in acid and alkaline environment, ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract, keeping the intestinal microflora balance and beneficial influence on the immune system. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG strain has been deposited in the American Type Culture Collection under number ATCC 53103. From the moment of discovery till now many clinical trials have been conducted concerning Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG strain and its properties. Many studies have confirmed its safety and effectiveness across a wide range of indications.