Probiotics - What are probiotics by nutritionist Christine Avanti

Christine Avanti: Probiotics - What are probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms (in other words, bacteria) that are similar to helpful bacteria found in the human digestive tract. Probiotics are commonly known as "friendly bugs" or "good bacteria". Probiotics are available to consumers in the form of dietary supplements and foods such as yogurt. Many doctors and nutritionists recommend probiotics as a healthy, natural alternative to modern drugs or medicines. To find out more about probiotics and my recommendations as a nutritionist, read here.

Probiotics are live microorganisms (in other words, bacteria) that are similar to helpful bacteria found in the human digestive tract. Probiotics are commonly known as "friendly bugs" or "good bacteria". Probiotics are available to consumers in the form of dietary supplements and foods such as yogurt. Many doctors and nutritionists recommend probiotics as a healthy, natural alternative to modern drugs or medicines for treatment of various illnesses and improving general wellness. However, each strain of probiotic bacteria is different, and effects found from any one may not necessarily hold true for another or even for different preparations of the same strain.

What can you tell me about probiotics?

Inside the human intestine it is like a rainforest with many types of bacteria - both good and bad - coexisting naturally. This rainforest starts to grow from the first days of life so the immune system can develop for optimum health. These days, our modern Western lifestyle is nearly free of bacteria. We wash with antibacterial soap, we disinfect everything, and we take antibiotics to prevent infection. Unfortunately, we might be harming our good, friendly bugs as we eliminate the bad. If this natural environment in the body is disrupted, it can lead to a weakened immune system which can in turn lead to disease. The use of probiotics is a natural way to re-establish the rainforest inside our body. Current research shows that certain probiotics are very helpful in improving digestive system function with nearly no negative side effects. Thus, most doctors and nutritionists recommend probiotics in the diet right alongside the traditional fruits, vegetables, and natural grains.

What are probiotics?

Experts have debated how to define probiotics. One widely used definition, developed by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, is that probiotics are "live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." Microorganisms are tiny living organisms—such as bacteria, viruses, and yeasts—that can be seen only under a microscope.

Probiotics are available in foods and dietary supplements (for example, capsules, tablets, and powders) and in some other forms as well. Examples of foods containing probiotics are yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh, and some juices and soy beverages. In probiotic foods and supplements, the bacteria may have been present originally or added during preparation.

Most probiotics are bacteria similar to those naturally found in people's guts, especially in those of breastfed infants (who have natural protection against many diseases). Most often, the bacteria come from two groups, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Within each group, there are different species (for example, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus), and within each species, different strains (or varieties). A few common probiotics, such as Saccharomyces boulardii, are yeasts, which are different from bacteria.

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