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Probiotics and intestinal health effects: a clinical perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

P. Marteau ,
P. Seksik  and
R. Jian
P. Marteau*
Affiliation:
Gastroenterology Department, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, 20 rue Leblanc, 75908 Paris CEDEX 15, France
P. Seksik
Affiliation:
Gastroenterology Department, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, 20 rue Leblanc, 75908 Paris CEDEX 15, France
R. Jian
Affiliation:
Gastroenterology Department, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, 20 rue Leblanc, 75908 Paris CEDEX 15, France
*
*Corresponding author: Dr P. Marteau, fax +33 1 5609 3554, email [email protected]
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Abstract

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Probiotics are viable non-pathogenic micro-organisms which, when ingested, exert a positive influence on host health or physiology. We have critically analysed the evidence for the efficacy of specific probiotic strains in human gastrointestinal diseases. The best evidence can be obtained with randomised controlled trials which avoid bias. Good evidence has been obtained with several strains in the prevention or treatment of antibiotic-associated disorders, in the treatment (and to a lesser extent prevention) of gastroenteritis and acute diarrhoea and in the alleviation of lactose intolerance. We also analysed the recent randomised controlled trials performed in patients with Clostridium difficile or Helicobacter pylori, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, non-ulcer dyspepsia and colon cancer.

Keywords

ProbioticsIntestineGastroenteritisInflammatory bowel diseaseAntibiotic-associated diarrhoea
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 88 , Issue S1 , September 2002 , pp. s51 - s57
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2002

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