Probiotics: definition and properties
Probiotics contain live microorganisms—mainly bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium), but also yeasts (Saccharomyces boulardii)—that can modulate the intestinal flora. They are found in certain fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut, or in the form of dietary supplements.
They play a variety of roles: they support the good bacteria already present in our bodies, promote effective digestion, strengthen the immune system, and more broadly, contribute to better overall health. Probiotics are beneficial from the first months of life and throughout our entire existence.
Probiotics work by colonizing the intestine, where they support good bacteria and inhibit pathogens. Their action is based on three key mechanisms:
- They modulate the immune response, either strengthening it or limiting its overactivation.
- They strengthen the intestinal barrier, in particular by producing mucus and antibodies;
- They have an antimicrobial effect by competing with harmful bacteria.
Benefits for children
In babies, probiotics can improve their well-being in various ways:
- Colic: some studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of the Lactobacillus reuteri strain in reducing the duration of crying in infants with colic.
- Diarrhea: the Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii strains are effective in preventing and treating diarrhea, particularly that associated with antibiotic use, which can damage the intestinal flora.
- Immune system: Probiotics can help strengthen natural defenses in the first months of life, thereby limiting the frequency of respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders.
- Allergies: In children at risk of allergies, certain probiotics can help reduce the incidence of certain chronic diseases such as atopic dermatitis (eczema).
Our advice: If your child is healthy and has a healthy and varied diet, there is no need to give them probiotics. The use of probiotics, whether natural or artificial, requires a case-by-case assessment. Ask your pediatrician or one of our doctors for advice before changing your child's diet or treatment.
Benefits for adults
In adults, probiotics play an essential role in maintaining digestive, immune, and even mental health.
- Digestive health: Probiotics can help relieve digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. For example, the strains Bifidobacterium infantis and Lactobacillus rhamnosus are effective in relieving these disorders.
- Immune system: By regulating the immune response, probiotics can protect against infections, particularly those related to the respiratory tract.
- Skin health: By improving intestinal health, probiotics can also have beneficial effects on the skin, for example in cases of eczema or acne.
- Women's health: Probiotics are also useful in preventing vaginal infections.
- Mental health: Strains such as Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum are associated with reduced stress and anxiety.
When are probiotics contraindicated?
In immunocompromised individuals, the immune system is not always able to regulate microorganisms that are usually harmless. These can pass through the intestinal barrier and enter the bloodstream, with the risk of causing serious effects in vulnerable individuals (known as bacterial translocation).
The use of probiotics is not recommended without prior medical advice in cases of nausea, fever, diarrhea, or severe abdominal pain.
What are the side effects?
- In people who are lactose intolerant: digestive problems are possible.
- Bloating and intestinal gas.
- Mild intestinal irritation (often at the beginning of treatment).
Key points
Probiotics can help relieve various disorders in both adults and children (from 3 months of age). By contributing to the balance of the intestinal microbiota, they support essential functions such as digestion, nutrient absorption, immune defense, and even certain neurological functions. That said, there are still few studies providing sufficient data on the strains or multi-strains that may be beneficial to the body, the dosage, or the frequency of use of probiotics. Therefore, their use should not be trivialized: medical advice is essential to ensure appropriate treatment, especially if pathologies are present.