Lactobacillus vaginal microbiota of women attending a reproductive health care service in Benin City, Nigeria

Authors

Gregor Reid, Lawson Health Research Institute

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2002

Journal

Critical reviews in food science and nutrition

Volume

42

Issue

3

First Page

293

Last Page

300

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1080/10408390209351918

Abstract

Several forces are driving an expanded use of nutraceuticals, particularly functional foods and probiotics, as instruments of the restoration and maintenance of well-being. These include consumer desire to use natural rather than pharmaceutical products, the mounting scientific evidence that shows efficacy of certain nutraceutical products, and the increasing cost and continued failure of drugs to cure or prevent disease. There is now a strong scientific basis for use of cranberries to reduce the risk of E. coli adhesion to bladder cells and the onset of urinary tract infection. There is also a mechanistic basis and clinical support for use of Lactobacillus strains such as L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 to colonize the intestine and vagina and reduce the risk of intestinal and urogenital infections. For such alternative approaches to be successful, scientific rigor must be backed by public education and physician acceptance. Given the emergence of virulent and multidrug-resistant pathogens, time is not on our side.