Probiotics, Prebiotics, & Synbiotics

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.”