Probiotics and Functional Foods

1. Probioticsand Functional Foods The Biotech of Digestion

2. What are Probiotics? • dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteriumor yeasts • probiotics means “for life”

3. What are Probiotics? • ‘Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host

4. Why do we need probiotics? • Flora Out of Balance • antiboitics • drugs • excessive alcohol • disease • toxic substances

5. Where do probiotics fit into digestion? • body contains a miniature ecology of microbes, collectively known gut flora • balanced they work together for health digestion but sometimes out of balance • Use probiotic bacteria work to decrease competitor bacteria harmful to our health

6. How do probiotics work? • Probiotic bacterial cultures assist gut flora • Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) most used by • converting sugars including lactose and other carbohydrates into lactic acid • acts as a preservative by lowering pH and creating fewer opportunities for spoilage organisms • characteristic sour taste of fermented dairy foods such as yogurt

7. Claims Made for Probiotics • Improving Immune Function • Preventing Infections • Managing Lactose Intolerance • Prevention of Colon Cancer • Cholesterol Lowering • Lowering Blood Pressure

8. Current Research Opinions • test-tube experimentation rather than on clinical trials in human subjects • The basic concept of probiotics is based on a misunderstanding of the role of microflora in the human digestive tract. • difficult to understand how bacteria taken by mouth survive human digestion, though research shows that they do survive