Probiotics and Prolongation of Life

유산균 Probiotics와 생명의 연장에 대한 고찰

One hundred one years have passed since Metchnikoff made his first scientific contribution to probiotics study. Intestinal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for humans are closely associated with the host's health because LAB is an important biodefense factor in preventing colonization and subsequent proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the intestine. A probiotic is recently defined as "live microorganisms that when administered in adequate amount confer a health benefit on the host". Some species of LAB have been claimed as probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. fermentum, L. plantarum, L. reuteri, and Lactococcus lactis. For understanding the general mechanism of probiotics, this paper would explore the early studies relating to probiotics and intestinal microbiota, and briefly introduce the Prolongation of Life written by Elie Metctmikoff.