Probiotics or "friendly" bacteria are often used to improve digestion and treat gastrointestinal disorders. Now a new animal study suggests they enhance ulcer healing.
Researchers at the University of Hong Kong gave a probiotic strain called Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG directly to rats with ulcerated stomachs for three days.
L. rhamnosus GG successfully colonized and "significantly and dose-dependently reduced gastric ulcer area," the researchers found. The ratio of cells dying to proliferating was reduced and the development of new blood vessels increased.
"When administered orally, L. rhamnosus GG adheres to the mucous membrane of the intestine and may help to restore the balance of the GI microflora; promote gut-barrier functions; diminish the production of carcinogenic compounds by other intestinal bacteria; and … enhance adaptive immunity, especially during infections."
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are the healthy or "good" bacteria found in the intestines and vagina which protect against the entrance and proliferation of "bad" organisms that can cause disease
Sources: Eur J Pharmacol. 2007 Jun 22;565(1-3):171-9. Epub 2007 Mar 7; National Cancer Institute
