Probiotics and Functional Foods The Biotech of Digestion

What are Probiotics? dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium or yeasts probiotics means “for life”

What are Probiotics? ‘Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host

Why do we need probiotics? Flora Out of Balance –antiboitics –drugs –excessive alcohol –disease –toxic substances

Where do probiotics fit into digestion? body contains a miniature ecology of microbes, collectively known gut flora balanced they work together for health digestion but sometimes out of balance Use probiotic bacteria work to decrease competitor bacteria harmful to our health

How do probiotics work? Probiotic bacterial cultures assist gut flora Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) most used by –converting sugars including lactose and other carbohydrates into lactic acid –acts as a preservative by lowering pH and creating fewer opportunities for spoilage organisms characteristic sour taste of fermented dairy foods such as yogurt

Claims Made for Probiotics Improving Immune Function Preventing Infections Managing Lactose Intolerance Prevention of Colon Cancer Cholesterol Lowering Lowering Blood Pressure

Current Research Opinions test-tube experimentation rather than on clinical trials in human subjects The basic concept of probiotics is based on a misunderstanding of the role of microflora in the human digestive tract.digestive tract difficult to understand how bacteria taken by mouth survive human digestion, though research shows that they do survive