Symposium held to understand role of probiotics

She said the aim of the symposium was to share the latest developments in the field with dieticians and medical experts so that this knowledge can be passed on to the common man for the betterment of his health.

“We are very happy to organize a symposium in one of the most rapidly growing areas of science and we hope that the symposium will provide an insight into the potential role of probiotics in improving the health of both children and adults.”

The conference was addressed by Dr Philip Abraham,senior gasteroentologist and hepatologist,P D Hinduja National Hospital,Mumbai,Anita Jatana,Chief Dietician,Batra Hospital and Medical Research Centre,New Delhi,and other prominent speakers.

Dr Philip Abraham reviewed scientific evidence,both from India and abroad,for the use of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of various gastrointestinal conditions in children and adults. He stated probiotic benefits are strain specific and healthcare professionals should assess the scientific data backing these claims.

Jatana said,“Pobiotics have been included as dietary recommendation for many of the patients in hospitals and we found probiotic intervention to be effective when used in conjunction with conventional medicine.”

Dr Neerja Hajela,Head,Science of Yakult Danone India Pvt Ltd,gave an overview of the science behind probiotics exemplified by Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS),a strain of bacteria that has more than 75 years of scientific research to back its safety and efficacy.