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Prebiotics and Probiotics Prebiotics and probiotics contribute to healthy digestion, and overall well being. Just what are Probiotics and why are they so important to our health? Literally translated, 'probiotic' means 'for life.' The proper scientific definition of a probiotic is "a live microbial feed supplement which beneficially affects those who take it by improving their intestinal microbial balance." Probiotics are micro-organisms e.g. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, that possess health promoting properties and can be defined as live food supplements which beneficially affect the host by improving the balance of intestinal microbial flora . These are essentially friendly bacteria of the same family as that already living in our bowel. These bacteria have GRAS status meaning ‘generally regarded as safe’ The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is exposed to food, water and any other preparations taken orally. It acts as a barrier to harmful substances and invasive infective pathogens. To compliment the GI as a physiological barrier, gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is distributed throughout the GI tract and it is the largest lymphoid or immune organ in the body, accounting for approximately 80% of all immunoglobulin-producing cells in the body. Probiotics stimulate these GALT to produce immunoglobulin (IgA) resulting in an enhanced immune response during their presence. When these beneficial resident bacteria are dominant in the digestive tract, they regulate the balance of the intestinal microflora, thus contributing to healthy digestion and overall well being. However, when these bacteria lose their dominant role, pathogenic bacteria, viruses and yeast’s begin to multiply with detrimental effects. By using a high quality probiotic, we are able to maintain a balance of the good and bad bacteria that live in our GI tract (primarily in the colon). Many health care professionals believe that this balance, which is ideally 85% good bacteria to 15% bad bacteria, is the foundation of good health. This balance allows our immune system to function at a higher level, leaving us less vulnerable to colds and flu, allergies and repeated infections. High numbers of good bacteria also allow our digestive system to work much more effectively. Lack of beneficial bacteria can result in any of the following digestive disorders: Gas, bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome. Other disorders such as yeast infections, skin problems have also been linked to low levels of beneficial bacteria. Basically, when we don't have enough good bacteria, the bad bacteria or pathogens are allowed to take over. These pathogens begin to release chemicals that are toxic to mammals. A prebiotic is defined as a non-digestible food ingredient that beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or more types of bacteria in the colon and that can improve the host's general health. Prebiotics (sometimes described as FOS or MOS) work synergistically with probiotics. |
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