The pace at which our lifestyles and diet is changing, gut infection in the form of indigestion, diarrhea, bloating, discomfort, ulceration is getting more and more common.
Pro-biotics:
There are over 400 distinct species of microorganisms that inhabit the various regions of the adult human digestive tract, making up nearly two kg of total body weight. This includes harmful as well as useful bacteria.Pro: Biotics are foods or concentrates of live organisms that contribute to a healthy microbial environment and suppress the potential harmful microbes. Probiotics can be bacteria, molds or yeast. But most probiotics are bacteria. Among bacteria, lactic acid bacteria are more popular. The first recorded probiotic was fermented milk.
Foods such as yoghurt, fermented milk, paneer, buttermilk, dhokla, idli, snack bars, energy drinks and even baby food can contain probiotics. And packaged probiotic foods such as Amul Flaavyo (probiotic vitamin fortified flavoured yoghurt), Amul Prolife probiotic Lassi, Mother Diary's b-Activ Probiotic Dahi, b-Activ Probiotic Lassi, b- Activ Curd and Nutrifit (Strawberry and Mango), Nestle Nesvita Dahi, Nestle Actiplus Dahi, Attune Granola Bars, Yakult Dairy Drink (fermented milk) are available.
The Probiotic of medicinal importance can also be supplemented via capsules or bacteria sachets available in the pharmacy. Probiotics can be used to treat diarrhea, infections of the urinary tract and female genital tract, irritable bowel syndrome, even reduce recurrence of bladder or colon cancer or atopic dermatitis in children, seasonal allergies, sinusitis and bronchitis. Thus Probiotics can improve immunity, aids in better digestion, absorption of calcium and prevention of allergies and colon cancers.
Pre- biotics:
Prebiotics are selectively fermented, dietary ingredients that result in specific changes in the composition and/or activity of the gastrointestinal micro flora thus conferring benefits upon host health. Unlike probiotics, a prebiotic targets the micro flora already present within the ecosystem, it acts as a 'food' for the target microbes.
The most widely accepted prebiotics are FOS (fructo- oligosaccharides) and GOS (galacto- oligosaccharides). FOS and GOS occur naturally in foods such as asparagus, garlic, artichoke, onion, wheat and oat, as well as soybean. However, it would take a large quantity of these foods for their active oligosaccharides to exert a useful prebiotic effect. A more realistic method involves fortifying popular foodstuffs with defined amounts of prebiotics. Thus, you will find that prebiotic compounds are added to many foods including yogurts, cereals, breads, biscuits, milk desserts, nutritional supplement bars, ice-creams, spreads, drinks, water, infant formula, as well as to some animal foods.
Syn-biotics:
Synbiotics are defined as products containing both
Prebiotic(s) and Probiotic(s). The presence of Prebiotic(s) has a beneficial
effect on both the stability of the Probiotic(s) in the product and its
survival after introduction in the gastro-intestinal tract, throughout the
presence of the Prebiotic.
Both work together in a synergistic way more efficiently promoting the probiotics' benefits.
2 comments:
The good bacteria inhabiting the colon play an important role when it comes to combating pathogens that enter the body.
In the absence of these beneficial bacteria, harmful microorganisms will start to grow and multiply. Needless to say, this growth will have a profound negative impact on health.
Manage stress as much as possible. Maintain regular exercise and go for a good night sleep always.
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