Introduction to Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms (in most cases, bacteria), which are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human intestinal tract. They are also called "friendly bacteria" or "good bacteria". Probiotics are available to consumers mainly in the form of food supplements and food products.
Key points
1. People using probiotic productsasto prevent and treat certain diseases and the support of the wellness.There limited to confirming some of the uses of probiotics. Much more scientific knowledge about the need for probiotics, including their safety and proper use.
2. Find the impact of one species or strain of probiotics do not necessarily true for others, or even for different preparations of the same species or strain.
#3.Tell Abou health services
practice use. Give them a full picture of what you are doing to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
What Probiotics
The experts discussed how to define probiotics. One widely used definition developed by the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, is that probiotics are "live microorganisms which, when introduced in adequate amounts, the health benefit on the host." (Germs are tiny living organisms such as bacteria, viruses and yeast, which can only be seen under a microscope.)
Probiotics are not the same thing as prebiotics-nondigestible Food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and / or activity of beneficial microorganisms already in the colons of people. When probiotics and prebiotics are mixed together, they form a synbiotic.
Probiotics are available in foods and dietary supplements (eg, capsules, pills and powders) and in several other forms as well. Examples of foods containing probiotics are yogurt, fermented and non-fermented milk, miso, pace, and some juices and soy beverages. In probiotic foods and supplements, the bacteria may be present initially or added to the cooking process.
Most probiotics are bacteria similar to those in natural conditions in the gut of humans, especially in those infants breastfed (which have a natural protection against many diseases). Most often, the bacteria come from two groups, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Within each group, there are different types (eg, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus), and within each species, different strains (or varieties). A few common probiotics, such as Saccharomyces boulardii, are yeasts, which differ from bacteria.
Some probiotic foods date back to ancient times, such as fermented foods and cultured milk products. Interest in probiotics in general is growing; Americans expenses probiotic supplements, for example, almost tripled from 1994 to 2003.
Medical use
There are several reasons that people are interested in probiotics for health purposes.
First, the world is full of microorganisms (including bacteria), and therefore bodies of people in and on the skin, intestines, and other openings. Friendly bacteria are vital for proper development of the immune system to defend against microorganisms that can cause disease, and digestion and absorption of food and nutrients. Mix each person is different from bacteria. Interaction between humans and microorganisms in the body, and among the microorganisms themselves, may be crucial to human health and welfare.
This bacterial "balance" can be reset in two major ways:
1. Antibiotics when they kill beneficial bacteria in the gut with unfriendly bacteria. Some people use probiotics to try to offset the side effects from antibiotics like gas, cramps or diarrhea. Similarly, some use them to alleviate the symptoms of lactose intolerance, a condition where the intestine lacks enzymes necessary to digest significant amounts of the major sugar in milk, which also causes gastrointestinal symptoms.
2. "Unfriendly" microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, fungi and parasites can also upset the balance. Researchers are exploring whether probiotics could halt these unfriendly agents in the first place and / or suppression of their growth and activity in conditions such as:
* Infectious diarrhea
* Irritable Bowel Syndrome
* Inflammatory bowel disease (eg ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease)
* Infection with Helicobacter Pylori (H. PYLORI), a bacterium that causes most ulcers and many types of chronic inflammation of the stomach
* Caries and periodontal disease
* Vaginal infections
* Stomach and respiratory infections that children receive in child
* Skin infections
Another part of the interest in probiotics stems from the fact there are cells in the digestive tract, associated with the immune system. One theory is that if you change the microorganisms in the intestinal tract of man (as by introducing probiotic bacteria), you can influence the immune defense system.
Top
Color enhanced scanning electron micrograph (SEM) in the Acidophilus bacteria Lactobacillus. Spirochaete Bacteria can also be seen in the center.
Color enhanced scanning electron micrograph (SEM) in the Acidophilus bacteria Lactobacillus. Spirochaete Bacteria can also be seen in the center.
Photo: SciMAT / Photo Researchers, Inc
What science says
Scientific understanding of probiotics and their potential for prevention and treatment of health at an early stage, but moving forward.
According to the Conference Report, some types of probiotics, for which there are some encouraging data from the study of specific probiotic formulations are as follows:
* For the treatment of diarrhea (this is the strongest area of evidence, particularly from rotavirus diarrhea)
* To prevent and treat infections of the urinary tract or female genital
* For the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
* To avoid the recurrence of bladder cancer
* To reduce how long does the intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile
* To prevent and treat pouchitis (conditions that may follow surgery to remove the colon)
* To prevent and atopic dermatitis (eczema) in children
Conference Panel also noted that studies of probiotics as cures, any beneficial effect is typically low, a strong placebo effect often occurs, and more research (especially in the form of large, well-designed clinical trials) is needed in order to draw firmer conclusions.
Some other areas of interest to researchers on probiotics
* What happens at the molecular level with the bacteria themselves and how they might interact with the body (for example, the intestines and bacteria) to prevent and treat disease. Advances in technology and medicine are doing everything possible to study these areas much better than in the past.
* Issues of quality. For example, what happens when probiotic bacteria-treated or are added to foods is their ability to survive, grow and have a therapeutic effect altered?
* The best way to manage probiotics for therapeutic purposes, as well as the best doses and schedules.
* Probiotics' potential to help with the problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut.
* Can they prevent unfriendly bacteria to get through the skin or mucous membranes and travel throughout the body (for example, that can happen with burns, shock, trauma, or suppressed immunity).
Side effects and risks
Some of them live microorganisms have a long history of use as probiotics without causing illness in humans. Probiotics security "had not been thoroughly studied scientifically, however. More information is particularly needed on how they are safe for young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
Probiotics effect "aside, if they occur, are generally mild and digestive (such as gas or bloating). More serious effects have been seen in some people. Theoretically, probiotics can cause infections that need to be treated with antibiotics, especially in people with major diseases. They can also cause unhealthy metabolic activities, too much stimulation of the immune system, or gene transfer (insertion of genetic material in cells).
Probiotic products taken by mouth supplementA dietary product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other vegetable, amino acids, enzymes, and / or other components intended to supplement the diet. U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special requirements for labeling of food additives. manufactured and regulated as foods rather than drugs or Pharmaceutical.
Some others that should be considered
* If you think about the use of probiotic products
# Consult with your doctor first.therapy should be used instead of conventional medical care, or delay in seeking that care.Effects from one species or strain of probiotics do not necessarily hold for others, or even for different preparations of the same species or strain.
# If you use a probiotic product and experience that concerns you, consult a doctor.
Probiotics are live microorganisms (in most cases, bacteria), which are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human intestinal tract. They are also called "friendly bacteria" or "good bacteria". Probiotics are available to consumers mainly in the form of food supplements and food products.
Key points
1. People using probiotic productsasto prevent and treat certain diseases and the support of the wellness.There limited to confirming some of the uses of probiotics. Much more scientific knowledge about the need for probiotics, including their safety and proper use.
2. Find the impact of one species or strain of probiotics do not necessarily true for others, or even for different preparations of the same species or strain.
#3.Tell Abou health services
practice use. Give them a full picture of what you are doing to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
What Probiotics
The experts discussed how to define probiotics. One widely used definition developed by the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, is that probiotics are "live microorganisms which, when introduced in adequate amounts, the health benefit on the host." (Germs are tiny living organisms such as bacteria, viruses and yeast, which can only be seen under a microscope.)
Probiotics are not the same thing as prebiotics-nondigestible Food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and / or activity of beneficial microorganisms already in the colons of people. When probiotics and prebiotics are mixed together, they form a synbiotic.
Probiotics are available in foods and dietary supplements (eg, capsules, pills and powders) and in several other forms as well. Examples of foods containing probiotics are yogurt, fermented and non-fermented milk, miso, pace, and some juices and soy beverages. In probiotic foods and supplements, the bacteria may be present initially or added to the cooking process.
Most probiotics are bacteria similar to those in natural conditions in the gut of humans, especially in those infants breastfed (which have a natural protection against many diseases). Most often, the bacteria come from two groups, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Within each group, there are different types (eg, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus), and within each species, different strains (or varieties). A few common probiotics, such as Saccharomyces boulardii, are yeasts, which differ from bacteria.
Some probiotic foods date back to ancient times, such as fermented foods and cultured milk products. Interest in probiotics in general is growing; Americans expenses probiotic supplements, for example, almost tripled from 1994 to 2003.
Medical use
There are several reasons that people are interested in probiotics for health purposes.
First, the world is full of microorganisms (including bacteria), and therefore bodies of people in and on the skin, intestines, and other openings. Friendly bacteria are vital for proper development of the immune system to defend against microorganisms that can cause disease, and digestion and absorption of food and nutrients. Mix each person is different from bacteria. Interaction between humans and microorganisms in the body, and among the microorganisms themselves, may be crucial to human health and welfare.
This bacterial "balance" can be reset in two major ways:
1. Antibiotics when they kill beneficial bacteria in the gut with unfriendly bacteria. Some people use probiotics to try to offset the side effects from antibiotics like gas, cramps or diarrhea. Similarly, some use them to alleviate the symptoms of lactose intolerance, a condition where the intestine lacks enzymes necessary to digest significant amounts of the major sugar in milk, which also causes gastrointestinal symptoms.
2. "Unfriendly" microorganisms such as bacteria, yeast, fungi and parasites can also upset the balance. Researchers are exploring whether probiotics could halt these unfriendly agents in the first place and / or suppression of their growth and activity in conditions such as:
* Infectious diarrhea
* Irritable Bowel Syndrome
* Inflammatory bowel disease (eg ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease)
* Infection with Helicobacter Pylori (H. PYLORI), a bacterium that causes most ulcers and many types of chronic inflammation of the stomach
* Caries and periodontal disease
* Vaginal infections
* Stomach and respiratory infections that children receive in child
* Skin infections
Another part of the interest in probiotics stems from the fact there are cells in the digestive tract, associated with the immune system. One theory is that if you change the microorganisms in the intestinal tract of man (as by introducing probiotic bacteria), you can influence the immune defense system.
Top
Color enhanced scanning electron micrograph (SEM) in the Acidophilus bacteria Lactobacillus. Spirochaete Bacteria can also be seen in the center.
Color enhanced scanning electron micrograph (SEM) in the Acidophilus bacteria Lactobacillus. Spirochaete Bacteria can also be seen in the center.
Photo: SciMAT / Photo Researchers, Inc
What science says
Scientific understanding of probiotics and their potential for prevention and treatment of health at an early stage, but moving forward.
According to the Conference Report, some types of probiotics, for which there are some encouraging data from the study of specific probiotic formulations are as follows:
* For the treatment of diarrhea (this is the strongest area of evidence, particularly from rotavirus diarrhea)
* To prevent and treat infections of the urinary tract or female genital
* For the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome
* To avoid the recurrence of bladder cancer
* To reduce how long does the intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Clostridium difficile
* To prevent and treat pouchitis (conditions that may follow surgery to remove the colon)
* To prevent and atopic dermatitis (eczema) in children
Conference Panel also noted that studies of probiotics as cures, any beneficial effect is typically low, a strong placebo effect often occurs, and more research (especially in the form of large, well-designed clinical trials) is needed in order to draw firmer conclusions.
Some other areas of interest to researchers on probiotics
* What happens at the molecular level with the bacteria themselves and how they might interact with the body (for example, the intestines and bacteria) to prevent and treat disease. Advances in technology and medicine are doing everything possible to study these areas much better than in the past.
* Issues of quality. For example, what happens when probiotic bacteria-treated or are added to foods is their ability to survive, grow and have a therapeutic effect altered?
* The best way to manage probiotics for therapeutic purposes, as well as the best doses and schedules.
* Probiotics' potential to help with the problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the gut.
* Can they prevent unfriendly bacteria to get through the skin or mucous membranes and travel throughout the body (for example, that can happen with burns, shock, trauma, or suppressed immunity).
Side effects and risks
Some of them live microorganisms have a long history of use as probiotics without causing illness in humans. Probiotics security "had not been thoroughly studied scientifically, however. More information is particularly needed on how they are safe for young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.
Probiotics effect "aside, if they occur, are generally mild and digestive (such as gas or bloating). More serious effects have been seen in some people. Theoretically, probiotics can cause infections that need to be treated with antibiotics, especially in people with major diseases. They can also cause unhealthy metabolic activities, too much stimulation of the immune system, or gene transfer (insertion of genetic material in cells).
Probiotic products taken by mouth supplementA dietary product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other vegetable, amino acids, enzymes, and / or other components intended to supplement the diet. U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special requirements for labeling of food additives. manufactured and regulated as foods rather than drugs or Pharmaceutical.
Some others that should be considered
* If you think about the use of probiotic products
# Consult with your doctor first.therapy should be used instead of conventional medical care, or delay in seeking that care.Effects from one species or strain of probiotics do not necessarily hold for others, or even for different preparations of the same species or strain.
# If you use a probiotic product and experience that concerns you, consult a doctor.