Prebiotics and Probiotics

Prebiotics and Probiotics are primarily food ingredient which promotes the growth of certain types of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. While dietary supplements containing different types of beneficial bacteria or yeasts are today used as Prebiotics and Probiotics, it is lactic acid bacteria (LAB) which converts lactose to lactic acid that are the most commonly used beneficial microbes used in the food industry and food ingredient today. Along with providing the characteristic sour taste to various dairy products like yoghurt and certain types of cheese, lactic acid bacteria by lowering the pH value of the food decreases the chances of growth of harmful micro-organisms and consequently, helps in preserving different types of milk products for longer durations of time.

Prebiotics and Probiotics that assist the natural flora existing in digestive tracts to reestablish themselves are often recommended by doctors and dietitians to be included in the daily diet. Especially, after an individual consumes a course of antibiotics, many of the body’s naturally occurring beneficial bacteria are killed along with external harmful ones. Consuming Prebiotics and Probiotics after such an antibiotic course helps in raising the body’s natural beneficial microorganism level back to the normal optimum levels. The optimum bacterial balance may also be disturbed in cases of consuming excess levels of alcohol or drugs or if an individual suffers from stress, disease or exposure to toxic matters.
Ingesting Prebiotics and Probiotics then helps greatly in regaining the body’s optimum bacterial balance.

Different medical research conducted today has revealed that along with Indian Gum, Fiber Gum and Organic Acacia, Prebiotics and Probiotics like lactobacillus present in natural food ingredient like yoghurts and sauerkraut help in the overall strengthening of the body’s immunity system. While probiotics are live microorganisms present in food ingredient that can survive passage through the gut, they are widely used for preventing and treating conditions like diarrhea and to improve lactose intolerance conditions. Prebiotics, on the other hand, stimulate the growth of probiotic bacteria normally present in the gut. However, as Prebiotics and Probiotics do not colonize their host permanently, their effects last only temporarily and Prebiotics and Probiotics have to be consumed regularly for their beneficial effects to continue always.

In commercial preparations of Prebiotics and Probiotics, mostly mixtures of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are used. The latter are club shaped organisms which help in breaking down carbohydrates consumed as part of the food ingredient and directly help in their absorption and metabolism in the host’s system. Prebiotics and Probiotics like lactobacilli and bifidobacteria especially dominate the colons of newborn breastfed babies. As newborns primarily consume milk for their nutrition these Prebiotics and Probiotics protect their systems against any type of external or internal infection.