Good Bacteria: The Role of Probiotics in Cultures Worldwide - Research Paper

Introduction

The human body contains countless bacteria both good and bad. Whereas bacteria are known to cause infection, probiotics are safe types of bacteria that assist the body to break down food particles. Many cultures around the world encourage the intake of probiotics without even knowing they exist by stressing on the need to take foods like yogurt and fermented milk and other food substances. This paper adopts the cultural perspective inquiry approach or studying probiotics and the impact such cultural habits have on the lives of communities that actively take these food products.

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People tend to think these are germs causing diseases but they are helpful bacteria because they help the body in different ways both good and bad. Probiotics are found in supplements and in fermented foods like yogurt and doctors recommend them for maintenance of a healthy digestive system (Vinderola, Reinheimer, & Salminen, 2019). Probiotics assist the body in ways such as after the intake of antibiotics in the body they help in replacing them and maintain a balance between bad and useful bacteria to assist the body to function normally.

Research Question

Since probiotics can be manufactured and have proven to be beneficial to the body's digestive system, should all processed foods be compelled to have digestive and pro-health aides?

The presence of probiotics in certain processed foods like yogurt conforms that processed foods can indeed improve human health. When consumed in large amounts probiotics have a health benefit and they can be consumed as supplements or naturally through fermented foods. Taking of these probiotics can have different side effects on our body (Vinderola, Reinheimer, & Salminen, 2019). They may cause unpleasant digestive symptoms while the most commonly reported reaction is bloating and increase in gas. For the people taking yeast-based probiotics may experience an increase in thirst and constipation issues (Venketeshwer Rao & Rao, 2016). To help in adjustment of the body to this probiotics one should start with a low dosage and slowly increase to the full dose to reduce the likelihood of side effects. If the effects increase it is advisable to stop usage and seek medical attention.

Research Question

Since probiotics are available without prescription and manufacturers have the liberty to administer as much as they want to achieve their means what are the likely health implication of their wrongful application?

As the study of probiotics mainly focuses on the benefits of these bacteria to the body, it neglects the other side effects. This is an inadequate way of examining the matter because there have been multiple cases of complications recorded over time. Some probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt contain biogenic amines which may trigger headaches (Macintyre & Cymet, 2015). Amines increases or decreases blood flow since they can excite the central nervous system and may cause headaches to those who are sensitive to the substance. One study shows us that low histamine, which is a component in probiotics, reduces headaches in 75% users however more research is needed to be done if amines can directly cause headaches or migraines in some people (Macintyre & Cymet, 2015). People who experience this problem while taking foods rich in probiotics should opt for supplements.

People with yeast allergies should avoid yeast-based probiotics and instead of a bacteria-based. Since a small number of people who are allergic to lactose may experience effects such as bloating and increased gas during consumption they may want to choose lactose-free products. Some supplements contain prebiotics which are plant fibers which cannot be digested by humans but bacteria can consume as foods.

Probiotics are safe for a majority of people but are not fit for everyone to use as in rare cases the bacteria or yeast present in probiotics can enter the bloodstream and cause an infection. People with suppressed immune systems, prolonged hospitalization and those who have undergone recent surgery are at a greater risk for infection (Venketeshwer Rao & Rao, 2016). However, the chances of getting this infection are low and no serious infections have been reported and there is an estimation of one in one million people who consume probiotics containing lactobacilli bacteria will have an infection.

Some people wonder if probiotics can help them lose weight and researchers think that some probiotics may help in weight loss and in boosting overall health. In the gut, the good bacteria help in the breakdown and digestion of food (Macintyre & Cymet, 2015). Dysbiosis is a condition caused by an unhealthy digestive system that refers to an imbalance in the gut microbes and research from 2013 suggests that this condition contributes to the development of obesity.

Conclusion

Overall, probiotics have various benefits to our bodies. These include keeping the gut balanced by outcompeting harmful bacteria, maintaining a healthful balance of useful microorganisms, stimulation of the human immune system response, and protecting the digestive's track barrier from harmful microorganisms. The best way to use probiotics to achieve overall health and weight loss is to include them in a nutritious diet which is rich in vegetables, fruits, and other whole foods. The cultural aspects of the inclusion of probiotics in processed foods call to question the possibility of including them in other food elements.

References

Macintyre, A., & Cymet, T. (2015). Probiotics: the benefits of bacterial cultures. NCBI, 1(1), 132-144. doi.org/10.1016/j.jfda.2018.01.002

Venketeshwer Rao, & Rao, L. (2016). Probiotics and Prebiotics in Human Nutrition and Health. New York: Books on Demand.

Vinderola, G., Reinheimer, J., & Salminen, S. (2019). The enumeration of probiotic issues: From unavailable standardized culture media to a recommended procedure? International Dairy Journal, 96(1), 58-65. doi.org/10.1016/j.idairyj.2019.04.010