Probiotics, Prebiotics, & Synbiotics
PROBIOTICS
There are over 400+ species of Probiotics in our body.
Properties of probiotics:
- It should be safe to the host.
- It should not produce any pathogenic or toxic effect.
- It must be resistance to hydrochloric acid, bile and pancreatic juice.
- It should produce lactic acid.
- It should retain viability during storage and use.
- It should stimulate the immune system of the body.
- It should have the ability to colonize the gastrointestinal tract.

prebiotics
The term prebiotic was introduced by Gibson and Roberfroid 1995 who exchanged “PRO” for “PRE” which means “Before“.
“Non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of bacteria in the colon that can improve host health.”Gibson et al., 2004)
Facts about PREbiotics
- Prebiotics are simply speaking the preferential “FOOD” for Friendly Beneficial Bacteria colonizing the digestive tract.
- “colonic food”
- They are dietary supplements that play a role in Balancing the Intestinal Mucosal Immune System.
Top 10 Foods Containing Prebiotics

Role of Prebiotic

How Do They Work?
- Increase a number of bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria.
- Effect on the metabolism of lipids.
- Suppression of putrefactive bacteria.
- Growth of bifidobacteria.
Uses of Prebiotic
- Improve immune function in both the gut and body.
- Establish a healthier balance of bacteria in the gut.
- Promote regular bowel movements.
- Reduces the risk of an intestinal infection.
- Modulation of gastro-intestinal peptides production, and energy metabolism.
- Initiation and regulation of immune functions.
- Enhance bone density and increase Calcium absorption.
- Increase in mineral absorption and improvement of bone health.
Probiotics vs. Prebiotics

synbiotics
Synbiotics refer to nutritional supplements combining probiotics and prebiotics in a form of synergism, hence synbiotics. The synbiotics concept was first introduced as ” mixtures of probiotics and prebiotics that beneficially affect the host by improving the survival and implantation of live microbial dietary supplements in the gastrointestinal tract by stimulating the growth and/or by activating the metabolism of one or limited number of health promoting bacteria thus improving host welfare.”
