''Probiotics'' good bug key to good life: experts

New Delhi, Nov 29 (UNI) Probiotics, live microrganisms which help in healthy digestion and building immunity, could play a crucial role in future health care by providing relief to people suffering from digestive or lifestyle ailments.

A third of the urban Indian population suffers from digestive disorders or lifestyle ailments due to increasing stress, irregular eating habits, indiscriminate use of antibiotics, high intake of packaged and processed food and pollution, experts here today said.

To emphasise the role of Probiotics in combating intestinal diseases, immune disorders and lifestyle diseases which are on the rise, a two-day symposium will be held here beginning tommorrow.

One of the experts, Prof N K Ganguly, former Director General, ICMR, informed that babies are born without bacteria and giving them probiotics is essential for developing their immune system.

Probiotics also improves the digestion of lactose and reduces intestinal bloating, flatulence. It prevents antibiotic associated diarrhoea, alleviates some symptoms of food allergies such as those associated with milk protein.

The experts said probiotics if taken regularly, will provide our system with friendly bacteria keeping the harmful ones at bay and by maintaining a healthy balance of gut flora, will enable the body to improve its own natural defences.

They also said it lowers serum cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and has beneficial effects on allergic reactions.

The symposium will also focus on clinical trials done in India and overseas and the regulatory and ethical issues for use of probiotics.

Eminent speakers from the country, US and Japan will share their views.

UNI