In recent years, there has been an increase in the application of probiotics for
the treatment of some diseases and to alleviate the symptoms of many others.
Diseases and ailments such as diarrhea, pouchitis, cancer, ulcerative colitis,
irritable bowel disease, and a host of others have experienced an increase in
the use of certain probiotics bacteria to combat them. The complete
mechanisms of action of probiotics in disease management and enhancement
of the health of the host remain largely unknown, but the major activity thus
appear to be via modulation of immune responses (immunomodulations) and
colonization competitive shielding off of pathogens. This paper is set to
review some of the various ailments for which probiotics have been used.
With an upsurge in the use of probiotics, also comes an increase in skeptism
on the safety of their use for medical purpose, the safety concerns that may
obstruct effective usage and thus judicious application of probiotics in disease
management warrants further investigations
