Friendly microorganisms

Microorganisms as Foes and Friends:There are millions of organisms on Earth, and one way or the other, each one of them has a role to play in the ever-changing ecosystem. While a few make their presence felt prominently, others get the job done silently and hushed. But the role of each one of them is important to sustain life on Earth, in both positive and negative aspects. One of these types of organisms is the single-celled ones, called Microorganisms. You might have observed a green patch in wet areas, bread that gets spoilt when kept for long, milk turning into curd overnight etc. All these are the tasks performed by these microbes or microorganisms that cannot be seen through the naked eye. In this article, we shall study the different types of microorganisms and how they help and destroy things in various ways. Types of Microorganisms Microorganisms are classified into four major groups: • Bacteria • Fungi • Protozoa • Algae These microorganisms or microbes are so small in size that they cannot be seen with the unaided eye. Some of these, such as the fungus that grows on bread, can be seen with a magnifying glass. Others cannot be seen without the help of a microscope. That is why these are called microorganisms or microbes. Viruses are also microscopic but are different from other microorganisms. However, they reproduce only inside the host organism’s cells, which may be a bacterium, plant or animal. Viruses cause common ailments like cold, influenza (flu) and most ...

Probiotics is a general term for living microorganisms -- often called "friendly" bacteria -- that have health benefits in the body. These can be bacteria or yeast that are similar to organisms that are naturally found in the body, especially in the digestive tract. Probiotics have become popular supplements and food additives, most often used to promote healthy digestion. Why do people take probiotics? Probiotics work by balancing the levels of microorganisms in the intestines. They drive down the numbers of harmful bacteria. They also seem to boost the body's immune system. Although research is ongoing, there's good evidence that some probiotics may be helpful in treating irritable bowel syndrome, some types of diarrhea, colitis (particularly ulcerative colitis and and a complication of surgery for ulcerative colitis called pouchitis), acne, and eczema in children. They may also be used with antibiotics to help prevent diarrhea that may come with taking antibiotics. In addition, researchers are studying probiotics to determine if they may help certain types of stomach ulcers (those caused by H. pylori), infections (including urinary tract, vaginal, GI, sinus, and respiratory), dental disease, allergies, and diseases of the liver. However, more research is needed to determine if probiotics are safe and effective for these conditions. There are many types of probiotics. They include lactobacilli (like Lactobacillus acidophilusand Lactobacillus GG), bifidobacteria (like Bif...

Quick Summary • Scientists hope to understand if there should be a recommended daily intake of healthy microbes • 20% of children, 26% of adults consume foods with high levels of microorganisms • Foods good for gut health and healthy immune system include fermented dairy foods, fermented pickles and kimchi Our diets provide us with the building blocks we need to stay healthy and fight disease. The nutrients in foods and beverages can be tallied up to know if we are getting what our bodies need. Yet what if a nutrient has been overlooked? For instance, friendly microbes in raw and fermented foods have not been measured as part of our diets — until now. “Ultimately we want to understand if there should be a recommended daily intake of these microbes to keep us healthy, either through the foods or from probiotic supplements,” said Maria Marco, a professor in the food science and technology department at UC Davis. “In order to do that, we need to first quantify the number of live microorganisms we consume today in our diets.” Marco co-authored a new study with a group of scientists that examined the number of living microbes per gram of more than 9,000 different foods consumed by nearly 75,000 adults and children. It found that around 20% of children and 26% of adults consumed foods with high levels of live microorganisms in their diet. Both children and adults increased their consumption of these foods over the 18-year study period. The “This trend is going in the right direc...

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. The gut bacteria (what scientists call gut microbiota) that live in your gastrointestinal tract are magical creatures. They help: • Break down and digest food. • Communicate with your immune system. • Keep inflammation at bay. Can trendy probiotics and prebiotics keep gut health in tip-top shape? Gut bacteria: The BFFs you never knew you had “In human intestines, there are many strains of two main species of friendly bacteria, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium,” Dr. Cresci says. Probiotics and prebiotics both help those friendly bacteria, but in different ways: Probiotics These are live microorganisms isolated from humans and then cultured in a lab to be used as a supplement. When we ingest them (whether in food or supplement form), they survive in the gut and provide benefits to us like the good bacteria that we naturally have. Prebiotics This is a food source for the friendly bacteria in your intestinal tract. Our digestive system can’t break down prebiotics, so they survive the journey through the digestive tract. They eventually reach the part of the colon where the friendly bacteria hang out. The bacteria have the chops to break down the prebiotics into nutrition that helps them grow and thrive. Gut check — do you have enough friendly gut bacteria? In a healthy state, you can trust your gut to do all ...

×Top Health Categories • Coronavirus Disease COVID-19 • Gastrointestinal Health • Artificial Intelligence • Heart Disease • Mpox • High Blood Pressure • Allergies • Lung Cancer • Alzheimer's & Dementia • Mental Health • Arthritis & Rheumatology • Pregnancy • Breast Cancer • Type 1 Diabetes • Cold, Flu & Cough • Type 2 Diabetes • Diet & Nutrition • Sexual Health • Eating Disorders • Sleep • Eye Health • By April Cashin-Garbutt, MA (Editor) Sep 19 2012 What are probiotics or “friendly bacteria”? According to the World Health Organization (WHO) probiotics are “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. (1) Thus, we can see that these so-called “friendly bacteria” consist not only of bacteria but of other microorganisms too, such as yeast. (2) Probiotics are thought to work by increasing the number of beneficial microorganisms in a person’s intestinal system and decreasing the number of potentially detrimental microorganisms. (6) Where are probiotics found? In addition to yogurts, probiotics are also found in dietary supplements, such as tablets and powders, as well as suppositories and creams. (3) Are “live cultures” the same as probiotics? In short: no. The National Yogurt Association developed the term “live and active cultures”. They use this term to define yogurts that contain the organisms Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophiles. These are the organisms used in the fermentation process which they ...