ORIGINAL ARTICLE / RESEARCH Systemic Immunomodulation and Hypocholesteraemia by Dietary Probiotics: A Clinical Study

Probiotics intake has been associated with beneficial effects on the hyporcholesteremia and gut immune system. This improves disease resistance, gut infection and diminished risk were documented. In one of our experimental study in mice, probiotics was found to modulate the immune response and at the same time it decreased cholesteremia. The present study was extended to human beings, male healthy volunteers, to find out whether probiotics given in the form of fermented milk product ‘Dahi ’ and ‘Lassi ’ show similar effect i.e. enhanced immune response and hypocholesterolemia. The immune response was checked before and after feeding of probiotics by employing INOs and NBT reduction tests. In addition the effect of probiotics on hypertension and cholesteremia was also observed. The results show significantly enhanced immune response by probiotic consumption and non significant reduction in cholesterol level, HDL-C in the human subjects and decrease in systolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients by the consumption of ‘Dahi ’ and ‘Lassi ’ was also observed. It is suggested that probiotic diet therapy can be a safe additive or alternative to existing drug therapy