by Leann Zotis

Created on: June 01, 2009   Last Updated: June 10, 2009

Prebiotics and probiotics are elements found in food, or added to food, which can provide nutritional benefits when allowed to interact with the gastrointestinal tract. These functional elements are more than simply nutrients. They promote health and protect the body from potential health risks from major health problems. Ongoing studies into the cause and effect relationships between diet and health have led to greater interest in the compounds in foods that promote sound nutrition and have brought prebiotics and probiotics to the forefront.

The concept of probiotics has been around since the 19th century when Louis Pasteur introduced the concept of microorganisms and their connection to human existence. A probiotic has been described as a live microorganism in foods that provides health benefits if consumed in sufficient amounts.

The concept of a prebiotic is much more recent. Prebiotics can be described as non-digestible food ingredients that may supply a food source on which beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract may thrive. Basically, prebiotics are a food source for probiotics; probiotics are the compounds which yield health benefits to the human digestive system. In order for a food to be identified as a prebiotic, it must meet three criteria. It must not break down in the stomach or be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. It can be fermented by gastrointestinal microflora. And, it must supply fuel for the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria.

The human body is the host organism to a wide variety of microorganisms that exist, usually quite happily, on the skin, in the mouth or in the gastrointestinal areas. The microorganisms of the gastrointestinal tract are vital to the overall health of the host, or human. They are responsible for breaking down vitamins for digestion and absorption, fermenting fiber and carbohydrates and keeping the growth of harmful bacteria in check.

Probiotics, especially those of the species Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli are instrumental in encouraging the growth of healthy bacteria and fighting against the growth of potentially harmful bacteria. Consuming probiotics works to support the intestinal immune responses, strengthening it in its fight against damaging microorganisms. Probiotics can limit the effects of infections or intestinal viruses and control the development of certain allergies.

A popular source for probiotics comes from yogurt where the live, active cultures of streptococcus thermophilus and lactobacillus bulgaricus show compelling results in relieving diarrhea and assisting with regularity. Other probiotics provide support to the immune system to counteract the debilitating effects of stress in the body.

Prebiotics can be labeled as the food source to keep probiotics thriving. The most prevalent prebiotic in the system is made up of short chained sugar molecules containing fructose, known as fructo-oligosaccharide molecules. The human system cannot digest prebiotics, leaving them as an available and viable food source for probiotic organisms.

A healthy diet plus healthy bacteria is the perfect combination for the gastrointestinal tract to provide a strong immune system to cleanse the body of potentially pathogenic bacteria. The proper balance of prebiotics and probiotics can regulate the microorganism environment of the body and provide a safe and natural healthy system, potentially eliminating immune system conditions and diseases and the need to take drugs to correct these imbalances.

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