What is a probiotic?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or yeast. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: ‘Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host’. [1] Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are the most common type of microbes used. LAB have been used in the food industry for many years, because they are able to convert sugars (including lactose) and other carbohydrates into lactic acid. This not only provides the characteristic sour taste of fermented dairy foods such as yogurt, but acts as a preservative, by lowering the pH and creating fewer opportunities for spoilage organisms to grow. Probiotic bacterial cultures are intended to assist the body’s naturally occurring gut flora to reestablish themselves. They are sometimes recommended by doctors, and, more frequently, by nutritionists, after a course of antibiotics, or as part of the treatm
The word probiotic literally means “for life.” Essentially, a probiotic is a living micro-organism that, if eaten in sufficient quantities, provides a positive health benefit for the host that goes beyond primary nutritional effects. A food is considered probiotic if it contains a sufficient quantity of probiotics and if all probiotic properties are maintained throughout the life of the product (alive in sufficient quantities and providing beneficial health effects).
