ProbioticsProbiotics

What are Probiotics
• Live microorganisms that are similar to beneficial
microorganisms found in the human gut.

Probiotics are available mainly in the form of :
1. dietary supplements and foods.
2. alternative medicine .

• powder.
• liquid.
• gel.
• paste.
• granules.
• Capsules.
Alternative medications can be in the form
of:

How do probiotics work?
• Probiotics work by crowding out the
bad bacteria within the digestive
system.
The probiotics then attach to the
intestinal wall where they
increase the number of
beneficial bacteria regulating
and maintaining balance
between the beneficial and
harmful bacteria.

Probiotics can be:
bacteria
moulds
yeast

• But most probiotics are bacteria.
• Among bacteria, lactic acid bacteria are more
popular.
Lactobacillus acidophilus

Other types are:
• Streptococcus thermophilus.
• Enterococcus faecium

• Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917

• Saccharomyces boulardii.

A probiotic may be made
out of a single bacterial
strain or it may be more
than one.

Characteristics of effective probiotics
An effective probiotic must have features like:
• Non-pathogenic.
• Non-toxic.
• Exert a beneficial effect.
• Capable of surviving and metabolizing in the gut.
• Remain viable during storage and use.

Probiotics benefits
The following health benefits are associated with the intake of daily
doses of probiotics:
1-Enhanced immune system response.
2-Reduces negative affects of taking many types of antibiotics.
3-Aids in preventing and treating colon inflammation following surgery.
4-Increased ability to digest food.
5-Reduces incidence of yeast infections.
6-Alleviates many common digestive disorders such
as constipation, diarrhea and IBS

Side Effects of Probiotics
1-in large quantities they can actually bring on infections, which will then be
necessary to treat with antibiotics.
2- Gas or bloating. Probiotics actually help eliminate these altogether, but in
some people they have the complete opposite effect.
3-Abdominal pain, and sometimes even diarrhea.
4-Fungal infections, Usually this happened to those with impaired immune
systems.
5-intestinal Infection. Those who already have an underlying disease could be
susceptible to this probiotic side effect. Fever, skin rash, and bloody stools
are all signs of an intestinal infection.

Prebiotics
• Prebiotics are a special class of
carbohydrates and soluble fibers that
are not digested in the upper GI tract.
• Instead, they make their way down to
the colon where they naturally ferment.
• This fermentation process selectively
promotes the growth of beneficial
bacteria which help support intestinal
and overall good health.

Symbiotic
• a substance containing both a prebiotic and probiotic.

Who Should Use Caution When Taking
Probiotics?
• Those with compromised immune systems .
• young children.
• Pregnant women.
• the elderly.
• people with suppressed immune systems due to disease or
treatment for a disease (such as cancer chemotherapy)
They should consult their health care professional before starting
up with probiotics.

Are probiotics safe to take?
• Most probiotics are like what is already in a person's digestive
system.
• Some probiotics have been used for a very long time throughout
history, such as in fermented foods and cultured milk products.
These don't appear to cause illness.
• But more study is needed on the safety of probiotics in young
children, the elderly, and people who have weak immune systems.