Flat lay of diverse plant-based protein sources like beans, lentils, almonds, and tofu with "PROTEIN" text.

Dr. Anuja Kenekar

July 02, 2025

Aquaculture

Happy Gut, Healthy Animal – Probiotics For A Better Microbiome

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Animal husbandry has evolved since the dawn of human civilization.

The rising demand for products and byproducts from animal husbandry is attributed to the exponential increase in the global population.

To meet these demands, animal husbandry professionals have employed various practices to increase yields.

Just like us, animal health is governed not only by the feed that is provided to them but also internally by the millions of tiny microscopic beings residing within their gut.

The large intestine of animals contains a vast array of microorganisms.

Metaphorically speaking, this ‘universe’ contains ‘galaxies’ of highly diverse gut bacteria that are metabolically unique.

Animal nutrition is incomplete without these bacteria, as the animal body is incapable of absorbing essential vitamins and minerals on its own.

For example, gut bacteria metabolise vitamins B and K, which cannot be absorbed by animal cells otherwise.

Individual microbes, such as sulphate-reducing bacteria, Bifidobacteria, and Clostridia, respond selectively to specific dietary components in a way that may be important to health.

Gut microflora also forms a line of defense against the onslaught of disease-causing pathogens.

High numbers of healthy gut bacteria prevent pathogens from colonizing the intestine, thereby preventing disease.

For example, Lactobacilli sp. work in synergy with the body’s immune system to combat the colonization of pathogenic organisms, such as Salmonella sp.

The usage of steroids and antibiotics in animal feed has had devastating effects on livestock in terms of immunity and overall health.

While selfishly using these drugs, humans have inadvertently affected each other.

Continuous consumption of meat and milk, with steroid and antibiotic traces, can cause dire consequences for us.

Some problems that have been diagnosed in correlation to steroids, hormones, and antibiotics through meat and dairy are obesity, increased risk of cancer, and early puberty in children.

Antibiotics are administered in livestock to prevent diseases.

However, all products from such animals inadvertently contain traces of antibiotics, which enter the human food chain.

The functions that antibiotics carry out could be easily achieved by incorporating safe probiotics into the animal feed.

This will not only improve their digestion but also increase the overall immunity of the livestock.

When the health of the livestock improves naturally, the need to dose them with unnecessary hormones and antibiotics will be eliminated.

FOLLOW A NEW TRADITION WITH GOOD NUTRITION!

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