Prebiotics & Probiotics

From:
http://www.healthyeatingclub.com/info/articles/func-foods/probiotics.htm

Quote :

Probiotic foods are those foods which contain a live microbiological culture either as a result of fermentation or as an intentional addition to beneficially affect the host by improving the intestinal microbial balance. Probiotics are cultures of bacteria that are healthful for normal intestinal function; they often prevent harmful bacteria from causing disease.
In contrast, a prebiotic is a nondigestible component which beneficially affects the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or a limited number of colonic bacteria thereby improving the health of the host. In other words, prebiotics are nutrients that the bacteria use as a fuel source; these include dietary fibre and carbohydrates (e.g lactose in the lactose intolerant) that resist absorption in the upper, small intestine, reaching the large intestine where most of your bacteria thrive.
Foods metabolised by colonic bacteria include resistant starch and non-starch polysaccharides. By definition, these foods are classified as dietary fibre because they are not digested nor absorbed in the small intestine.
However, in order for a component to be classified as a prebiotic, it must satisfy the following criteria;
a prebiotic must not be hydrolysed nor absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract;
be a substrate for growth or activity of one or a limited number of beneficial colonic bacteria;
be therefore able to alter the colonic microflora towards a healthier composition and
to induce luminal or systemic effects which are beneficial to the health of the host.

The potential benefits of probiotic foods include:

* Improved immune functioning
* decreases pathogenic bacteria in the gut
* May decrease allergies
* " restoration of the correct balance of natural microflora after stress or antibiotic treatment"
* May help combat cancer


I add ACIDOPHILUS as a probiotic to many of the batches of food that I make.


other links for you to continue your research:

http://www.probioticsmart.com/blog/2010/03/prebiotics-food-for-probiotics/

http://www.jacksongi.com/prebiotics.aspx

http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm/prebiotics_probiotics_in_dog_and_cat_foods

What about using fortiflora? My youngest dog takes that on her food once a day. Wonder if sprinkling a bit into their staple would hurt?

I had heard some controversy/ speculation about using probiotics with a hind-gut fermentation animal, such as marsupials. Does any one know about this?

Quite a few people use live-culture yogurt for its probiotic qualities. I've heard lately that the probiotic bacteria we use and believe in doesn't survive the hydrochloric acid strength of the human gut and that it only takes a short time for the gut to recolonize on its own. I still eat goat milk yogurt and occasionally share w/my gliders.

For the gliders (and other hindgut fermenters), I use high fiber and, for the gliders, acacia gum as a prebiotic. I get mine from TribezNutrition.com in a big container. [ot they also have rice protein] My vet has prescribed prebiotics for bunnies that have been on antibiotics.

I think that the acacia gum is pretty important for gut health and facilitating digestion. I've read in Marsupial Nutrition that it is suspected that gliders and other marsupials recycle their protein intake and depend on the prebiotics to do so. Acacia gum makes up almost 60% of a wild glider in Australia's diet for much of the year.