| The term "probiotics" derives from greek and it was | | | | - Bifidobacterium bifidum |
| first introduced in 1953 by Kollath. In opposition to | | | | - Bifidobacterium infantis |
| "antibiotics", probiotics means "for life" and was first | | | | - Bifidobacterium longum |
| defined as living organisms which beneficially affects | | | | Recent researches suggest several potential benefits |
| the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial | | | | of probiotics therapies, including, but not limited to: |
| balance. Today, probiotics are considered to be | | | | - Re-establishment of the intestinal normal flora |
| dietary supplements of live microorganisms which | | | | - Improvement of the absorption rate of calcium and |
| when administered in adequate amounts confer | | | | iron minerals |
| potential health benefits on the host, not only on | | | | - Management of lactose intolerance |
| intestine. | | | | - Prevention of colon cancer |
| In order to a microorganism to be considered a | | | | - Improvement of some symptoms of irritable bowel |
| probiotic, the bacteria must be: non-pathogenic, | | | | and colitis |
| adhere to intestinal cells, stable in gastric juice and | | | | - Reducing inflammation |
| bile, capable of reproducing itself, producing acids, | | | | - Improvement of immune function and prevention of |
| hydrogen peroxide and anti-pathogens bacteriocins . | | | | infections Like microorganisms, probiotics are thermo |
| The most common types of microorganisms used as | | | | sensitive and have a very short shelf-life. That's why |
| probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. | | | | they should be kept refrigerated. Examples of |
| The most common species of probiotics are: | | | | probiotic foods include fermented milk, yogurt, |
| - Lactobacillus acidophilus, specially | | | | powder or capsules. |
| - Lactobacillus casei | | | | Generally, probiotics are safe and even recommended |
| - Lactobacillus rhamnosus | | | | by World Health Organization (WHO). Adverse |
| - Lactobacillus reuterii | | | | effects have been reported only by the consumption |
| - Enterococus faecium | | | | of probiotics by patients who are already very ill, |
| - Bifidobacterium adolescentis | | | | with acute pancreatitis or, for any other reason, with |
| - Bifidobacterium breve | | | | lowered immune system. |