Prebiotics and Probiotics

Prebiotics and probiotics may promote healthy bacteria, or microflora in your intestines - and perhaps improve your health. Prebiotics stimulate or help activate bacteria growth; probiotics are the live cultures, or bacteria, themselves. Probiotic bacteria taken together with prebiotics that support their growth are called “synbiotics.” Both work together in a synergistic way more efficiently promoting the probiotics’ benefits.

• Prebiotics are non digestive substances such as oligosaccharides (indigestible carbohydrate) in food that promote the growth of normal, healthful bacterial that are already in the colon. Other substances in food, such as dietary fiber, starch, and sugar alcohols, may work as prebiotics, too.
• In order for a food ingredient to be classified as a prebiotic, it has to be demonstrated, that it:
  
  • is not broken down in the stomach or absorbed in the GI tract,
  • is fermented by the gastrointestinal microflora, and
  • most importantly, selectively stimulates the growth and/or activity of intestinal bacteria associated with health and well being
• Probiotics are active cultures, such as some strains of lactic acid bacteria, or foods that contain them, that help reintroduce or change bacteria in the intestine. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in yogurt with live cultures and other fermented dairy foods have probiotic cultures.
• Probiotic cultures may help keep your immune system healthy and help maintain the "good" bacteria in your intestine.
• Probiotics also may help reduce the risk of some health problems
• shorten the duration of diarrhea
• prevent or reduce the severity of colds and flu
• reduce the symptoms of lactose intolerance
• promote a healthy immune system
• help prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections
• prevent and treat eczema in children
• decrease the risk of some cancers
• decrease the risk of high cholesterol levels.

Examples of Probiotics and Prebiotics
Class/Component	Source*	Potential Benefit
Probiotics
Certain species and strains of Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria, Yeast	Certain yogurts, other cultured dairy products, and non-dairy applications	May improve gastrointestinal health and systemic immunity
Prebiotics
Inulin, Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), Polydextrose, Arabinogalactan, Polyols—lactulose, lactitol	Whole grains, onions, bananas, garlic, honey, leeks, artichokes, fortified foods and beverages, dietary supplements and other food applications	May improve gastrointestinal health; may improve calcium absorption
Chart adapted from International Food Information Council Foundation: Media Guide on Food Safety and Nutrition: 2004-2006. *Examples are not an all-inclusive list

Sources : Mayo Clinic; International Food Information Council Foundation