Abstract

THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF PROBIOTICS IN MODULATING SERUM CHOLESTEROL LEVELS AND MANAGING DIABETES

*Mansimran Kaur Randhawa

Abstract

The increasing awareness of the link between diet and health, along with concerns over the side effects of allopathic medicines, has driven demand for functional foods that promote health beyond basic nutrition. Probiotics, comprising microorganisms such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Leuconostoc, Saccharomyces, and Pediococcus species, have gained prominence as natural fortifying agents in functional foods due to their GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status. These probiotics exhibit acid and bile tolerance, enabling colonization in the gut and sustained health benefits without repeated dosing, provided dietary habits remain consistent. Probiotics have been shown to improve intestinal health, enhance immunity, lower cholesterol, reduce lactose intolerance symptoms, mitigate allergy prevalence, and reduce risks of certain cancers and inflammation. Traditional fermented dairy products, such as yogurt, kefir, and dahi, and modern nutraceuticals like Yakult, serve as effective sources of probiotics. Scientific studies have highlighted the cholesterol-lowering properties of probiotics, with mechanisms including assimilation, cellular surface binding, and bile salt deconjugation. Clinical and experimental trials in humans and animals reveal significant reductions in LDL cholesterol and total serum cholesterol, alongside improvements in lipid metabolism. Moreover, probiotics have shown promising roles in managing diabetes by improving glucose tolerance, reducing hyperglycemia, and enhancing the efficacy of antidiabetic treatments. These findings position probiotics as essential components of functional foods, offering therapeutic potential in reducing the burden of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and dia betes. This comprehensive review underscores the multifaceted benefits of probiotics and advocates for their broader incorporation into dietary regimens to enhance public health outcomes.

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