Probiotics Protect Children And Pregnant Women From Heavy Metal Poisoning
Yogurt containing probiotic strains of microorganisms effectively protects children and pregnant women from the harmful effects caused by exposure to heavy metals.
Yogurt, containing probiotic strains of microorganisms, successfully protects children and pregnant women from the harmful effects caused by exposure to heavy metals - these results from a recent study were published in the online journal of l 'American Society for Microbiology. This work was sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and was led by researchers from Canada and Tanzania who developed a special yogurt containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus.
A team of researchers from the Canadian Center for Human Microbiome and Probiotics, led by Dr. Gregor Reid, has examined whether certain microorganisms can really protect the human body from negative influences and environmental factors in poor countries. In the center's scientific laboratory, it has been found that the probiotic microorganism L. rhamnosus has a significant capacity to bind to toxic heavy metals. Working with this "discovery", the research team hypothesized that regular consumption of yogurt containing this probiotic strain of lactobacilli may prevent the absorption of heavy metals in the intestines from the food consumed.
Dr Reid collaborated with a restaurant factory in Mwanza, Tanzania, which started producing probiotic yogurt for the local population. Mwanza is located on the shores of Lake Victoria, which is known to be heavily contaminated with pesticides and toxic metals, including mercury. A team of researchers has set up the production and distribution of yogurts containing L. rhamnosus, among certain groups in the city of Mwanza, notably among children and pregnant women. Researchers determined the initial levels of toxic metals in the study participants' bodies (the study group that ate yogurt was compared to the control) and the levels after eating yogurt.
Researchers have found statistically significant protective properties in a probiotic against mercury and arsenic in pregnant women. It is important to note that a decrease in the amount of these harmful metals in the mother's body can probably reduce their negative impact on the development of the fetus and, subsequently, on the newborn. Although the results for children have also demonstrated the beneficial effects of yogurt and a decrease in the level of toxic heavy metals in the body, the small sample size and duration of use of yogurt did not reveal any statistically significant differences between the groups who received and did not receive probiotics.
Researchers have shown that a potential food product that is regularly consumed has a protective effect and can be used in pregnant women around the world. Currently, studies are underway to investigate more specific mechanisms that allow lactobacilli to neutralize (or bind) mercury.