Pediatric clinics of North America
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Pediatr. Clin. North Am. · Feb 2002
ReviewProbiotics in health and disease in the pediatric patient.
Probiotics are truly a timeless concept. Initially standard components of the human diet, potentially beneficial bacteria and yeast have been eliminated systematically through modern methods of preparing and preserving foods. ⋯ Furthermore, the potential uses for these organisms may extend far beyond what originally was thought. In no way should probiotics be thought of as a panacea for the diseases described earlier; however, when used appropriately, they represent a potentially beneficial adjunct to other proved therapies and have the added benefit of providing a stabilizing influence on the delicate balance between the ecosystem that consists of the human and its flora.