Microbiology Just For Fun Session 3 - Spring 2011

Probiotics: Fact or Fiction?

I.  Background

  1. What are probiotics?

a. A working definition from the FAO/WHO: “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.”

b.  Which species are commonly used?

c. What other additives are commonly used?

  1. Prebiotics
  1. Synbiotics
  1. What do the commercials and infomercials say about Probiotics?
  1. Activia Yogurt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j9nRJgX5iQ&feature=related

  1. Forever Active Probiotic Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbsVhLGBU80

  1. Do probiotics really work?
  1. What hurdles must a probiotic overcome to be effective?
  2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k8Puxz54FQ&feature=player_embedded
  1. FAO/WHO Guidelines for claiming a food has probiotic effects.

  1. Which claims have some evidential backing?
  2. Newborns and children
  1. Bacterial Gastroenteritis
  1. Helicobacter pylori Infections and Complications
  1. Inflammatory Diseases and Bowel Syndromes
  1. Cancer
  1. Mucosal Immunity
  1. Allergy
  1. Women’s reproductive and bladder health
  1. Probiotics for surgical infections
  1. Which claims are more suspect?
  1. What are some of the dangers to consuming food additives, in general, and probiotics, in particular?
  1. Take-home message

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cyrk9SK-TmU

  1. More information: http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/nutri/probiotic-foods.asp

image from http://www.albany.com/wellness-blog/