What Probiotics Are
Experts have debated how to define probiotics. One widely used
definition, developed by the World Health Organization and the
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, is that
probiotics are "live microorganisms, which, when administered in
adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host."
(Microorganisms are tiny living organisms—such as bacteria,
viruses, and yeasts—that can be seen only under a microscope.)
Probiotics are not the same thing as prebiotics—nondigestible food
ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity
of beneficial microorganisms already in people's colons. When
probiotics and prebiotics are mixed together, they form a
synbiotic.
Probiotics are available in foods and dietary supplements (for
example, capsules, tablets, and powders) and in some other forms
as well. Examples of foods containing probiotics are yogurt,
fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh, and some juices and
soy beverages. In probiotic foods and supplements, the bacteria
may have been present originally or added during preparation.
Most probiotics are bacteria similar to those naturally found in
people's guts, especially in those of breastfed infants (who have
natural protection against many diseases). Most often, the
bacteria come from two groups, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium.
Within each group, there are different species (for example,
Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus), and within
each species, different strains (or varieties). A few common
probiotics, such as Saccharomyces boulardii, are yeasts, which are
different from bacteria.
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