Modern Health Observation

Posts Tagged ‘Probiotics and Prebiotics’

How to act on the intestinal flora?

The microorganisms that constitute the microbial flora have a great influence on many biochemical, physiological and immune body.

They have also great medical importance as components of the normal flora can cause infections when they are set in different regions of the gastrointestinal (eg. Harmless bacteria to the intestine can lead to cystitis when they enter the urinary tract and may even continue their invasion through the ureters and reach the kidneys).

Among the beneficial components highlights of the microflora are lactic acid bacteria. As early as 1907 in the famous postulate of Méchnikof-by which he received the Nobel Prize the following year-to lactic acid bacteria are assumed an important role in maintaining the microbial balance necessary for health.

The benefit you produce through multiple mechanisms, among which include: their action against harmful microorganisms, the physical occupation of the gastrointestinal mucosa where are the points of attachment to other bacteria needed to cause disease, and production of beneficial compounds.

Moreover, lactic acid bacteria stimulate the immune system or our body’s defenses against infection, helping to maintain or prolong a good health. Similarly, these microorganisms may participate in the destruction of toxic compounds and the elimination of potentially carcinogenic substances, etc.

What are they and what foods have properties prebiotics and probiotics?

Yoghurt and other fermented milk, calcium-rich milk or fructo-oligosaccharides … They have a close relationship between certain of our intestinal microbial populations of beneficial health effects of our body.

This type of food and food products have achieved great popularity for various reasons, a greater awareness by consumers of the relationship between diet and health, the importance of preventing disease, the risks of the environment in which we live (pollutants , pesticides, pathogens, etc..), the widespread search for a healthier old age, and of course, more scientific evidence of their effectiveness.

Positive influence on the intestinal flora in our body and health.

Our digestive tract is colonized from birth by a complex and diverse collection of microorganisms. Of the more than 400 described species, about 30 to 40 represent 99%

The normal microbial flora is a delicate balance that may vary among different populations and individuals, because, among other factors, to the particularities of each person and their habits or dietary habits.

In this context, probiotics are defined as “those microorganisms that are ingested as a food supplement and have positive effects for consumers to act on the intestinal bacterial flora.”

Today, in addition to lactobacilli, bifidobacteria using different microbial and many other types, mainly in dairy processing.

Along with the term probiotic, has appeared recently designating term prebiotic “that non-digestible food ingredient that has the potential property to improve health by promoting the selective growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacilli).

” A clear example of prebiotic food is fortified milk fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS). The FOS are present in many plant foods (leek, onion, asparagus, garlic, artichokes, tomatoes etc.

However, the estimated daily intake, from food is very low (806 milligrams a day), therefore, and considering that are some healthy ingredients, has recommended increasing consumption, is one of the ways to achieve this, place in food as additives.