Nutrients, Vol. 18, Pages 696: Current Concepts in Probiotic Safety and Efficacy
Nutrients doi: 10.3390/nu18040696
Authors:
Alexey A. Churin
Ludmila O. Sokolyanskaya
Anastasia P. Lukina
Olga V. Karnachuk
Background/Objectives: Advances in molecular biology, genetics, and microbiome research have significantly expanded our understanding of probiotic microorganisms and their interactions with human health, stimulating the development of both traditional and next-generation probiotic products. Although probiotics are widely used and generally considered safe for healthy individuals, accumulating evidence indicates that their safety profile varies significantly depending on the strain, dose, host, and context, with rare but clinically significant adverse events reported in vulnerable populations. Methods: This review summarizes current knowledge on the efficacy and safety of probiotics, analyzes limitations in clinical safety reporting, and compares regulatory frameworks governing the use of probiotics as dietary supplements, medicinal products, and live biotherapeutics. Particular attention is given to new genomic and computational approaches to safety assessment. Conclusions: Overall, the review emphasizes the need for coordinated regulation, rigorous clinical evidence, and integrated, modern safety assessment strategies to support the responsible expansion of probiotic use.
Background/Objectives: Advances in molecular biology, genetics, and microbiome research have significantly expanded our understanding of probiotic microorganisms and their interactions with human health, stimulating the development of both traditional and next-generation probiotic products. Although probiotics are widely used and generally considered safe for healthy individuals, accumulating evidence indicates that their safety profile varies significantly depending on the strain, dose, host, and context, with rare but clinically significant adverse events reported in vulnerable populations. Methods: This review summarizes current knowledge on the efficacy and safety of probiotics, analyzes limitations in clinical safety reporting, and compares regulatory frameworks governing the use of probiotics as dietary supplements, medicinal products, and live biotherapeutics. Particular attention is given to new genomic and computational approaches to safety assessment. Conclusions: Overall, the review emphasizes the need for coordinated regulation, rigorous clinical evidence, and integrated, modern safety assessment strategies to support the responsible expansion of probiotic use. Read More