Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. These beneficial bacteria and yeasts can be found in various foods and dietary supplements. Here are some key points about probiotics:

1. Health Benefits: Probiotics have been shown to exert a wide range of effects, including improving gut health, enhancing immune function, and potentially preventing certain diseases.

2. Criteria for Probiotics:

   • Live Microbes: Probiotics must contain live microbes.

   • Health Benefit: They should be documented in target-host studies to confer a health benefit.

   • Strain-Specific: Probiotics must be identified to the level of strain.

   • Efficacy: Formulated products should use strains and doses shown to be efficacious.

3. Misuse of the Term:

   • The term “probiotic” is sometimes used incorrectly as a synonym for beneficial members of commensal microbiota. However, until strains are adequately characterized, they are not true probiotics.

   • The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses other terms for live microbes for regulatory purposes, such as “direct-fed microbials” for animal feeds and “live biotherapeutics” for human drugs.

4. Applications:

   • Probiotics are commonly used to support digestive health, manage diarrhea, preserve cognitive functions and promote overall well-being.