The IX Asian Congress of Nutrition (ACN), being held here from February 23, 2003, has called for a greater stress on the role of probiotics in disease management. Stating that probiotics have been shown to be useful in the treatment of disorders, especially those involving a significant inflammatory component in any of the intestines, the scientists expressed hope that probiotic bacteria is to be useful in many pediatric gastrointestinal conditions. "Food allergies in children might also be amended by probiotics.", they said. Nutrition experts suggest that probiotics should be explored more earnestly for their role in strengthening the body's immune system.

According to Dr Sarath Gopalan, coordinator, IX CAN, probiotics "keeps us healthy by increasing the absorption of minerals and vitamins and improving digestion, especially of milk products, producing anti-microbial substances, increasing absorption of calcium, producing B vitamins, supporting healthy liver function, normalizing bowel elimination problems, preventing intestinal tract infections like candida and helicobacter pylori."

In rotavirus infection and immunization, probiotics promote stimulation of the host immune system. Initial clinical evidence, although still nascent, indicate that probiotics have a role in preventing colon cancer.

Says Dr Wandee Varavithya of Mahidol University, Thailand, "Rotavirus is an important cause of infant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Mucinous glycoproteins help inhibit rotavirus replication. Probiotics like bifidobacterium Bb12 and S. thermophilus have been found to enhance expression of genetic material for at least two of these predominant protective mucins".

Citing a trial study in 55 infants aged 5 - 24 months admitted for critical medical hospitalization studies for 17 months, he said that only 7% of subjects treated with priobiotics developed diarrhea, as against a steep 31% of the control group. He emphasized that the preventive effects of various strains of lactobacilli in acute diarrhea have been reported in malnourished as well as healthy children.

Supporting these view points, Dr P Gionchetti of University of Bologna, Italy, focused on their specific role in treating inflammatory bowel disease, "probiotics may represent a simple and attractive way to treat IBD. Studies suggest that their effect may further be enhanced significantly when used in combination with antibiotics", he said.

Changing nutrition scene in India, nutrition and reproductive health, health aspects of edible oils and fats, vitamin A deficiency, iodine deficiency disorders, and the role of home gardening in combating malnutrition were all discussed during the conference.
The congress is being held in India after 33 years and has a participation of 1500 delegates from as many as 36 countries.