Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Probiotics

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Geriatric Gastroenterology

  • 2420 Accesses

Abstract

Probiotic organisms are live, human bacteria that are administered in capsules, powders, or foods. They are nutritional supplements. Since they are part of the human microflora, it is important to review the human life cycle of the microflora. When this is done, it reveals that there are changes in the elderly. A study on centurions reveals that there is a rearrangement of the Firmicutes with a marked decrease in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Finding these changes raises the suspicion that addition of anaerobic flora by administration of probiotic organisms would be helpful. It is also clear that the elderly suffer more from constipation and delayed transit time. Correlation of the microflora and transit time reveals that the fecal excrement associated with a decreased transit time has a decreased bacterial mass. Because of these physiologic studies, probiotics have been administered in constipated elderly and have had some success in regulating their bowel pattern. Because of dysbiosis in the elderly, it also has been postulated that the addition of probiotics would be helpful in supporting the immune process. Studies have shown that this has been helpful in the elderly in supporting the process of vaccination. Although there is limited data, because of the dysbiosis found in some of the elderly, probiotics have been administered and found to be helpful in selective clinical situations. Recommendations for their use in these situations are outlined in this chapter.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Floch MH. Introduction. In: Floch MH, Kim AS, editors. Probiotics: a clinical guide. Thorofare: Slack; 2010. p. xix.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Montrose D, Floch MH. Probiotics used in human studies. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2005;39:469–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Floch MH. Prebiotics, probiotics and dietary fiber. In: Buchman AL, editor. Clinical nutrition in gastrointestinal disease. Thorofare: Slack; 2006. p. 123–39.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Collins MD, Gibson GR. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics: approaches for modulating the microbial ecology of the gut. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69:1052S–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Claud EC, Walker WA. Bacterial colonization, probiotics, and necrotizing enterocolitis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008;42:S46–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Simon GL, Gorbach SL. Intestinal flora in health and disease. Gastroenterology. 1984;86:174–93.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Neish AS. Microbes in gastrointestinal health and disease. Gastroenterology. 2009;136:65–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Finegold SM, Attebery HR, Sutter VL. Effect of diet on human fecal flora: comparison of Japanese and American diets. Am J Clin Nutr. 1974;27:1456–69.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Carroll IM, Ringel-Kulka T, Ringel Y. Quantification and identification of probiotic organisms in humans. In: Floch MH, Kim AS, editors. Probiotics: a clinical guide. Thorofare: Slack; 2010. p. 55–70.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Ojetti V, Gigante G, Ainora ME, et al. Microflora imbalance and gastrointestinal diseases. Dig Liver Dis. 2009;2 Suppl 3:35–9.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Sokol H, Seksik P, Furet JP, et al. Low counts of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in colitis microbiota. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2009;15:1183–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Tiihonen K, Ouwehand AC, Rautonen N. Human intestinal microbiota and healthy ageing. Ageing Res Rev. 2010;9:107–16.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Moore WC, Holdeman LV. Human fecal flora: the normal flora of 20 Japanese-Hawaiians. Appl Microbiol. 1974;27:961–79.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Mitsuoka T. Bifidobacteria and their role in human health. J Ind Microbiol. 1990;6:263–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Biagi E, Nylund L, Candela M, et al. Through ageing, and beyond: gut microbiota and inflammatory status in seniors and centenarians. PLoS One. 2010;5(5):e10667.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Woodmansey EJ. Intestinal bacteria and ageing. J Appl Microbiol. 2007;102:1178–86.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Stephen AM, Wiggins HS, Cummings JH. Effect of changing transit time on colonic microbial metabolism in man. Gut. 1987;28:601–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Murray FE, Bliss CM. Geriatric constipation: a brief update on a common problem. Geriatrics. 1991;46:64–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Macfarlane GT, Cummings JH, Macfarlane S, Gibson GR. Influence of retention time on degradation of pancreatic enzymes by human colonic bacteria grown in a 3-stage continuous culture system. J Appl Bacteriol. 1989;67:520–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Hamilton-Miller J. Probiotics and prebiotics in the elderly. Postgrad Med J. 2004;80:447–51.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Metchnikoff E. The prolongation of life. Optimistic studies. London: Butterworth-Heinemann; 1907.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Ahmed M, Prasad J, Gill H, et al. Impact of consumption of different levels of Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on the intestinal microflora of elderly human subjects. J Nutr Health Aging. 2007;11:26–31.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Lahtinen SJ, Tammela L, Korpela J, et al. Probiotics modulate the Bifidobacterium microbiota of elderly nursing home residents. Age (Dordr). 2009;31:59–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Matsumoto M, Sakamoto M, Benno Y. Dynamics of fecal microbiota in hospitalized elderly fed probiotic LKM512 yogurt. Microbiol Immunol. 2009;53:421–32.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Gibson GR. Dietary modulation of the human gut microflora using the prebiotics oligofructose and inulin. J Nutr. 1999;129:1438S–41.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Andrieux C, Membre JM, Cayuela C, Antoine JM. Metabolic characteristics of the faecal microflora in humans from three age groups. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2002;37:792–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Goodwin JS. Decreased immunity and increased morbidity in the elderly. Nutr Rev. 1995;53:S41–51.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Arunachalam K, Gill HS, Chandra RK. Enhancement of natural immune function by dietary consumption of Bifidobacterium lactis (HN019). Eur J Clin Nutr. 2000;54:263–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Gill HS, Rutherfurd KJ, Cross ML, Gopal PK. Enhancement of immunity in the elderly by dietary supplementation with the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis HN019. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;74:833–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Ouwehand AC, Bergsma N, Parhiala R, et al. Bifidobacterium microbiota and parameters of immune function in elderly subjects. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2008;53:18–25.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Boge T, Remigy M, Vaudaine S, et al. A probiotic fermented dairy drink improves antibody response to influenza vaccination in the elderly in two randomized controlled trials. Vaccine. 2009;27:5677–84.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Guillemard E, Tondu F, Lacoin F, Schrezenmeir J. Consumption of a fermented dairy product containing the probiotic Lactobacillus casei DN-114001 reduces the duration of respiratory infections in the elderly in a randomized controlled trial. Br J Nutr. 2010;103:58–68.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Hatakka K, Ahola AJ, Yli-Knuuttila H, et al. Probiotics reduce the prevalence of oral Candida in the elderly-a randomized controlled trial. J Dent Res. 2007;86:125–30.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Floch MH. Diarrhea. In: Floch MH, editor. Netter’s gastroenterology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. p. 286–8.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  35. Floch MH, Walker WA, Guandalini S, et al. Recommendations for probiotic use-2008. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008;42(3 Suppl):S104–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Pitkala KH, Strandberg TE, Finne Soveri UH, et al. Fermented cereal with specific Bifidobacteria normalizes bowel movements in elderly nursing home residents. A randomized, controlled trial. J Nutr Health Aging. 2007;11:305–11.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Floch MH. Irritable bowel syndrome and functional gastrointestinal disorders, and constipation. In: Floch MH, editor. Netter’s gastroenterology. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. p. 277–9, 360–2.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Choung RS, Locke GR, Schleck CD, et al. Cumulative incidence of chronic constipation: a population-based study 1988–2003. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2007;26:1521–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. McCrea GL, Miaskowski C, Stotts NA, et al. Pathophysiology of constipation in the older adult. World J Gastroenterol. 2008;14:2631–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Bharucha AE, Wald A, Erick P, Rao S. Functional anorectal disorders. Gastroenterology. 2006;130:1510–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. O’Mahoney L, McCarthy J, Kelly P, et al. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in irritable bowel syndrome: symptom responses and relationship to cytokine profiles. Gastroenterology. 2005;128:541–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Guyonnet D, Chassany O, Ducrotte P, et al. Effect of a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010 on the health-related quality of life and symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome in adults in primary care: a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2007;26:475–86.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Niedzielin K, Kordecki H, Birkenfield B. A controlled, double-blind, randomized study on the efficacy of Lactobacillus plantarum 299V in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2001;13:1143–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Nobaek S, Johansson M-L, Molin G, et al. Alteration of intestinal microflora is associated with reduction in abdominal bloating and pain in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol. 2000;95:1231–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Kim HJ, Camilleri M, McKinzie S, et al. A randomized controlled trial of a probiotic, VSL#3, on gut transit and symptoms in diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003;17:895–904.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Guarditini S, Magazzu G, Chiaro A, et al. VSL#3 improves symptoms in children with irritable bowel syndrome: a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2010;51:24–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Beausoleil M, Fortier N, Guenette S, et al. Effect of a fermented milk combining Lactobacillus acidophilus LC 1285 and Lactobacillus casei in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Can J Gastroenterol. 2007;21:732–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Takeda K, Okumura K. Effects of a fermented milk drink containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota on the human NK-cell activity. J Nutr. 2007;137:791S–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Hickson M, D’Souza AL, Muthu N, et al. Use of probiotic Lactobacillus preparation to prevent diarrhoea associated with antibiotics: randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. BMJ. 2007;335:80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Gao XW, Mubasher M, Fang CY, et al. Dose-response efficacy of a proprietary probiotic formula of Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285 and Lactobacillus casei LBC80R for antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea prophylaxis in adult patients. Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105(7):1636–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Digestive Diseases, Yale New Haven Hospital, 40 Temple Street, Suite 1A, New Haven, CT, 06510-2715, USA

    Martin H. Floch MD, MS, BA

Authors
  1. Martin H. Floch MD, MS, BA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martin H. Floch MD, MS, BA .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital, Department of Medicine, Saint Peter’s University, 254 Easton Ave, New Brunswick, 08901, New Jersey, USA

    C. S. Pitchumoni

  2. (North Division), Department of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 600 East 233rd Street, Bronx, 10466, New York, USA

    T. S. Dharmarajan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Floch, M.H. (2012). Probiotics. In: Pitchumoni, C., Dharmarajan, T. (eds) Geriatric Gastroenterology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1623-5_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1623-5_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1622-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1623-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation