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Probiotics: the scientific base
water pipes havecertainlynot beeneliminatedin the UK as the authorsclaim. The= is no guideto furtherreading apartfrom a list of books by one or moreof the present authors,andan index wouldhavebeenwelcome. Nevertheless, this is a book that can be confidently recommended to the readership for whom it is intended. D. Bryce-Smith PhD, DSc. CChem, FRSC EmeritusProfessorof Chemistry Universityof Reading, UK
Probiotics : the Scientific Base edited by Roy Fuller
London : Chapman and Hall, 1992. xii + 398pp. E49 ISSN : 0 412 40850 3 The word probiotic is derived from the Greek, meaning ‘for life’, and has had several different meanings over the years. It was first used to describe substancessecreted by one micro-organism which stimulated the growth of another - the exact opposite of antibiotic. Over the last 20 years the use of the term has changed and it is probably best defined as ‘organisms and substances which contribute to a normal intestinal microbial balance’. Conventional medicine has largely ignored the field of probiotics, wishing instead to concentrate on psychological or neurohuman explanations for diseases that evade aetiology, such as irritable bowel. Roy Fuller has been involved in the field of probiotics for the last 15 years, initially as a full-time academic, and subsequently as an independent consultant. His excellent text is of the highest academic quality, superbly referenced, and scientifically objective in its every detail. It looks atthe history anddevelopment ofprobiotics,primarily emphasising the animal experiments carriedout within this field. The majority of the investigationson probiotics have been on mammals, in particular rodents, pigs, and ruminants: there is also a great body of work that refers to studies with chickens and humans. It wouldbe impossible to summarise the whole of such a complex and closely argued book in a short review. He is, however, able to establish beyond any doubt that the gut’s microflora has a vast range of interaction with gut metabolism, anatomy, and integrity. The growth and development of the rodent gastro-intestinal system is intimately intertwined with its micro-ecology. Absorption patterns and enzyme induction in both humans and animals can be altered by selectively feeding certain types of probiotic. For instance, Lactobacillusacidophilliswill alter metabolism to the extent that the levels of various detoxifying enzymes in the human digestive system will diminish significantly if bacteriaare admiuistered consistently over a period of 30 days. From this one can suggest that gut fermentation is
far less ‘toxic’if properly balanced bacterUy, and therefore fewer detoxifying enxymes am requited. In the final chapter on probiotics for humans there is a clear and concise argument for the use of these prepatations as a mzchanism for lowering elevated cholesterol. Certainlyelevated cholesterol in pigs can be preventedby the introduction of L. acidophillisstrains,and in humans thereis clear evidence that a combination of L. acidophillis and Bacteriumbiphidushavelong-&m survival in the gastm-intestinal tract. Both in vivo and in vitro work suggest that these bacteria may alter the way cholesterol is handled in the gut lumen so making the bacteria ‘mop up’ the cholesterol. He suggests that femu?nted milk products,high in L. acidophillisandB. biphidwhave been credited with counteracting hypercholesterolemiaamong the Masai, who have a very high milk intake, but at the same time a high intake of fermented milk products. The science is unimpeachable and the conclusions from Fuller’s book quite clear. The fermentation process that occurs within the gut lumen has far reaching effects on the health of the whole organism. This has been a vastly under-ratedand, until recently, a largely under-researched field. While its importance has been recognized by many of those practising within the complementary medical field, the ideas of the naturopath and homoeopath have frequently been scorned by conventional doctors. Roy Fuller’s clearly argued text puts an end to such speculation. Probiotics are here to stay and will have an increasingly important role to play in conventional therapy and preventative medicine, as well as in a variety of different complementarymedical techniques. GeorgeLewitllMA.MRCP,MRCGP Co-Director Centrefor the Studyof CompkmentaryMeakhe Southampton,UK
Books received Saldry,PP. Acupuncture. trigger points and musculoskeletal pain: scientific approach to acupunctue. 2nd ed Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1993.352~~. WS. ISBN: 0 443 04580 1 Chen Song Yu. Li Feo. A clinical guide to Chinese herbs and formulae. Trans by Jii Huide. Edinburgh:ChurchillLivingstone, 1993. 296~~. E32.50. ISBN: 0 443 04680 8. Gsrion-Hutchings, Nigcl. Concise guide to homoeopathy: introduction to the uzukaanding and use of homoeopatby. Sha&bury, Dome& Element Books, 1993. 144pp. $5.99 (paper). ISBN: 185230 384 0.
Probiotics : the Scientific Base edited by Roy Fuller
London : Chapman and Hall, 1992. xii + 398pp. E49 ISSN : 0 412 40850 3 The word probiotic is derived from the Greek, meaning ‘for life’, and has had several different meanings over the years. It was first used to describe substancessecreted by one micro-organism which stimulated the growth of another - the exact opposite of antibiotic. Over the last 20 years the use of the term has changed and it is probably best defined as ‘organisms and substances which contribute to a normal intestinal microbial balance’. Conventional medicine has largely ignored the field of probiotics, wishing instead to concentrate on psychological or neurohuman explanations for diseases that evade aetiology, such as irritable bowel. Roy Fuller has been involved in the field of probiotics for the last 15 years, initially as a full-time academic, and subsequently as an independent consultant. His excellent text is of the highest academic quality, superbly referenced, and scientifically objective in its every detail. It looks atthe history anddevelopment ofprobiotics,primarily emphasising the animal experiments carriedout within this field. The majority of the investigationson probiotics have been on mammals, in particular rodents, pigs, and ruminants: there is also a great body of work that refers to studies with chickens and humans. It wouldbe impossible to summarise the whole of such a complex and closely argued book in a short review. He is, however, able to establish beyond any doubt that the gut’s microflora has a vast range of interaction with gut metabolism, anatomy, and integrity. The growth and development of the rodent gastro-intestinal system is intimately intertwined with its micro-ecology. Absorption patterns and enzyme induction in both humans and animals can be altered by selectively feeding certain types of probiotic. For instance, Lactobacillusacidophilliswill alter metabolism to the extent that the levels of various detoxifying enzymes in the human digestive system will diminish significantly if bacteriaare admiuistered consistently over a period of 30 days. From this one can suggest that gut fermentation is
far less ‘toxic’if properly balanced bacterUy, and therefore fewer detoxifying enxymes am requited. In the final chapter on probiotics for humans there is a clear and concise argument for the use of these prepatations as a mzchanism for lowering elevated cholesterol. Certainlyelevated cholesterol in pigs can be preventedby the introduction of L. acidophillisstrains,and in humans thereis clear evidence that a combination of L. acidophillis and Bacteriumbiphidushavelong-&m survival in the gastm-intestinal tract. Both in vivo and in vitro work suggest that these bacteria may alter the way cholesterol is handled in the gut lumen so making the bacteria ‘mop up’ the cholesterol. He suggests that femu?nted milk products,high in L. acidophillisandB. biphidwhave been credited with counteracting hypercholesterolemiaamong the Masai, who have a very high milk intake, but at the same time a high intake of fermented milk products. The science is unimpeachable and the conclusions from Fuller’s book quite clear. The fermentation process that occurs within the gut lumen has far reaching effects on the health of the whole organism. This has been a vastly under-ratedand, until recently, a largely under-researched field. While its importance has been recognized by many of those practising within the complementary medical field, the ideas of the naturopath and homoeopath have frequently been scorned by conventional doctors. Roy Fuller’s clearly argued text puts an end to such speculation. Probiotics are here to stay and will have an increasingly important role to play in conventional therapy and preventative medicine, as well as in a variety of different complementarymedical techniques. GeorgeLewitllMA.MRCP,MRCGP Co-Director Centrefor the Studyof CompkmentaryMeakhe Southampton,UK
Books received Saldry,PP. Acupuncture. trigger points and musculoskeletal pain: scientific approach to acupunctue. 2nd ed Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 1993.352~~. WS. ISBN: 0 443 04580 1 Chen Song Yu. Li Feo. A clinical guide to Chinese herbs and formulae. Trans by Jii Huide. Edinburgh:ChurchillLivingstone, 1993. 296~~. E32.50. ISBN: 0 443 04680 8. Gsrion-Hutchings, Nigcl. Concise guide to homoeopathy: introduction to the uzukaanding and use of homoeopatby. Sha&bury, Dome& Element Books, 1993. 144pp. $5.99 (paper). ISBN: 185230 384 0.