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- Title
Prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics: an overview.
- Authors
Sekhon, Bhupinder Singh; Jairath, Saloni
- Abstract
Synbiotics are nutritional supplements that are combinations of probiotic bacteria and prebiotic food ingredients. The manipulation of composition of the gut microbiota in infants and adults through dietary supplementation is possible by probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic therapies. Probiotic products [dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria or friendly bacteria] and prebiotics (mainly oligosaccharides and disaccharides) make up an important part of maintaining intestinal health. The probiotics use the prebiotics as a food source, which enables them to survive for a longer period of time inside the human digestive system than would otherwise be possible. Probiotics are generally concerned with bacteria in the small intestine, while prebiotics with bacteria in the large intestine and colon. Synbiotics [probiotics prebiotics] enable to improve the viability of probiotics and to deliver specific health benefits. Probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic characteristics include antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, antidiarrheal and antiallergenic qualities, osteoporosis prevention, ulcerative colitis, reduction in serum fats and blood sugars, regulation of the immune system and treating liver-related brain dysfunction. Clinical effects of probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotic therapies include: severe pediatric surgical cases, liver transplantation, biliary cancer, acute pancreatitis, in asthma and atopic dermatitis and patient under emergency care. Probiotic/prebiotic/synbiotics are strengthening their roles in the reduction of antibiotic associated diarrhea, management of rotavirus diarrhea, and diarrhea due to various causes; exhibiting positive effect in the management of lactose intolereance, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and research is in progress in various nongastrointestinal diseases. The effects of probiotic microorganisms were found strain specific. Probiotics have potential as replacements for antibiotics in pigs and poultry. Synbiotics products offer the potential to develop prebiotics targeted at specific probiotic strains to optimize health benefits. To be an effective tool for medical therapy, a careful selection of the probiotic agent, its dose standardization and a thorough knowledge of its beneficial effects over and above the toxic effects is desirable. Moreover, probiotics safety needs thorough scientific studies.
- Subjects
PREBIOTICS; PROBIOTICS; GUT microbiome; DIETARY supplements; FUNCTIONAL foods; ANTI-infective agents; ANTIDIARRHEALS; ANTIALLERGIC agents
- Publication
Journal of Pharmaceutical Education & Research, 2010, Vol 1, Issue 2, p13
- ISSN
0976-8173
- Publication type
Academic Journal