Abstract
Probiotics (i.e. ingested living microorganisms) may theoretically be responsible for four types of side effects: systemic infections, deleterious metabolic activities, excessive immune stimulation in susceptible individuals, and gene transfer. Very few cases of adverse events have been reported in humans consuming probiotics, and these are summarized in this paper. I also briefly summarize the three approaches which can be used to assess the safety of a probiotic strain: studies on the intrinsic properties of the strain, studies on its pharmacokinetics, and studies searching for interactions between the strain and the host.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Philippe Marteau
The article is based on a lecture presented at the symposium "Probiotics and prebiotics - scientific evidence in humans as a basis for health claims", 14-15 November 2000, arranged by SNF Swedish Nutrition Foundation