Transcript Friendly Bacteria” Probiotics and Prebiotics and your

Taking Care of Our “Friendly
Bacteria”
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Elizabeth Bancroft
OHSU Dietetic Intern 2010
What are probiotics?
Microorganisms:
– Tiny organisms such as
bacteria and yeast that can
only be seen under a
microscope
Used to prevent and treat
certain illnesses and
support overall wellness
Common types:
– Bifidobacterium bifidus
– Lactobacillus acidophilus
National Institutes of Health, 2008
Where can you find probiotics?
Naturally on the surface
of fruits and vegetables
Used to produce certain
foods
– Yogurt and kefir
In dietary supplements
– Liquid
– Pills or capsules
Yogurt and Kefir
Yogurt and kefir are both cultured-dairy
products
They are produced by adding probiotic
bacteria to milk
Healthy bacteria in yogurt
If you ever look at a yogurt label it may
say something like:
– Ingredients: Milk, Nonfat milk powder, L.
acidophilus, S. thermophilus, L. bulgaricus,
L. casei, L. rhamnosus, B. bifidum cultures.
– The ingredients in blue are probiotics - live
strains of healthy bacteria.
What have you heard
about probiotics or
prebiotics???
Intestinal Bacteria
Your intestines have
BILLIONS of friendly
bacteria living in them!
Babies are born with
sterile digestive systems
BUT they quickly
become populated with
certain types of healthy
bacteria
Bacteria that are good for your
gut!
Healthy bacteria that live in your
intestine help you by:
– Breaking down some components of food
that you cannot digest
• Such as, the part of beans that sometimes
causes gas - called oligosaccharides
– Preventing intestinal infections by crowding
out harmful bacteria so that they don’t
make you sick
Why consume probiotics?
Taking probiotics is associated with
certain health benefits in some
individuals.
And probiotics do not appear to be
harmful for overall healthy children and
adults.
Probiotics and Diarrhea
When children develop viral diarrhea:
– Taking probiotics soon after the diarrhea begins can
decrease the duration of diarrhea by 1 day
When children are prescribed antibiotics:
– Antibiotics kill BOTH the harmful bacteria in their body AND
the “friendly” bacteria in their intestines
– This can cause diarrhea
– Giving children probiotic supplements or yogurt on a regular
basis can sometimes prevent this type of diarrhea when
children need to take antibiotics
American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010
Probiotics and Premature Infants
Infants who are born
premature or with low
birth weights sometimes
develop necrotizing
enterocolitis
– Infection and
inflammation of the
intestines
Probiotics may help to
prevent this condition
American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010
Other possible uses of
probiotics?…
To treat:
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Constipation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Crohn’s Disease
Colic
Common infections
Allergies
…BUT all of these need further research before
recommendations can be made
American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010
Probiotics are NOT
recommended for…
Infants or children who are
immunocompromised - or have immune
system problems
Preterm infants with illnesses
Preterm or full term infants with intravenous
catheters or other indwelling medical devices
American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010
What are prebiotics?
Nutrients that
humans cannot
digest BUT that our
“friendly” bacteria
can eat
By adding prebiotics
to our food we
“feed” the “healthy”
bacteria in our
intestines
Food Sources of Prebiotics
Food Sources:
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Artichokes
Bananas
Barley
Berries
Dairy Products
Greens
Honey
Leeks
Legumes
Onions
Whole grains
Mayo Clinic, 2009
Prebiotics in Human Milk
Free nucleotides are similar to prebiotics
Some infant formulas have 7-20mg/dL of
added free nucleotides
BUT human milk contains substantial
amounts of prebiotic oligosaccharides
– As much as 14 g/L…as well as free nucleotides!
Some infant formulas now add prebiotic
oligosaccharides to their products
American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010
Prebiotic Supplements
Powders that you
sprinkle on to your
food or stir into a
beverage
Or capsules or
tablets that you
chew or swallow
Mayo Clinic, 2009
Common Prebiotics
FOS (Fructo-oligosaccharides)
Inulin
GOS (Galacto-oligosaccharides)
Soybean oligosaccharides
Dietary fiber is made up of complex
polysaccharides that can be considered
prebiotics
American Academy of Pediatrics, 2010
Activia Yogurt
Claims to “naturally regulate your
digestive system”
Can help with occasional
irrregularity
Activia yogurt contains a probiotic
bacteria called Bifidus Regularis 
“Activia with fiber” - one variety
of the yogurt contains the bacteria
and inulin
– A probiotic and a prebiotic!!
Review: Probiotics vs. Prebiotics
Probiotics:
– Live microorganisms
– Healthy bacteria
– Live in intestinal tract
– Found in yogurt and
kefir
– Taken as dietary
supplements
Prebiotics:
– Nutrient
– Not alive
– Food for probiotics
– Healthy bacteria in the
intestine feed on
prebiotics
– Found in foods
• Usually foods containing fiber
– Taken as dietary
supplement
Consult your Doctor
Probiotic and prebiotic foods
and supplements are sold
over-the-counter
They are considered to be
very safe
HOWEVER, when you see
your doctor it is always a good
idea to tell them about any
supplements you are taking!
Questions??
Do you have any
questions about
what we have talked
about today?