Probiotics - living microorganisms for health

 

Probiotics - living microorganisms for health

We have encountered so-called probiotics for over 20 years as yogurt and drink on supermarket shelves, as dietary supplements in drugstores, or pharmaceuticals in pharmacies. It isn't easy to distinguish which products are suitable and harmless for whom and in which situations.

Definition and use

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"Probiotics are living bacteria that bring health benefits to humans if they are consumed in sufficient quantities" (definition of the WHO / FHO 2001).

 

According to the definition, probiotic cultures are particularly suitable, harmless representatives of bacterial species that have been used for periods for the production of fermented products and have a positive effect when taken orally in sufficient quantities. computersmarketing If bacterial species have the so-called GRAS status ( generally hollyhealthfitness recognized as safe), they are considered safe and harmless to health. For example, this includes most of the lactic acid and bifidobacteria used in food.

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However, when assessing health, a distinction must be made between various possible uses.

Use in food

Dairy products enriched with cultures are functional foods that support digestion, activate the immune system, and are used preventively. However,  webtechgalaxy no health claims are permitted for probiotic foods, as the effects have not been scientifically proven. The products may, therefore, not be advertised with health-related statements.

 

Legally, even the term "probiotics" is a non-approved healthbeautystudio health-related claim and must not be used. Therefore, the terms probiotic or probiotics can no longer be found on most products. According to the Federation of Consumer Organizations, the products are now enriched with vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B6 and advertised as "contribute to the immune system's normal function," as this health claim is approved for the vitamins mentioned.

 

Fermented foods: Probiotic cultures also occur naturally in foods. Fermented milk products such as yogurt, quark, whey, cheese, butter, or cream, and fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut and kimchi or fermented tea such as kombucha contain beneficial bacteria in the course of bacterial production. The concentrations of these bacteria are not sufficient for detectable effects, for example, in diseases. As a preventive measure, regular consumption is recommended.

 

Probiotics as functional foods (examples):

 

·        Activia with ActiRegularis® Bifidus culture (> 4 billion per yogurt cup)

·        Yakult with Shirota lactic acid bacteria (> 6.5 billion per bottle)

·        Actimel with Lactobacillus casei and bulgaricus as well as Streptococcus thermophilus

·        Captain Kombucha (a mixture of different types of bacteria and yeast)

·        EXVital Lactobacillus Complex

·        Flora Bifido Lacto + - Culture Complex

·        Nupur Probaflor with 11 cultures

·        DarmPlus Biotic Complex

Dietary supplements: Manufacturers like to recommend probiotics in nutritional supplements to digest. These are also often advertised for use with digestive problems. However, from a legal point of view, food supplements are classified as food. Therefore, the products are subject to the same requirements for health-related statements and may only be advertised with scientifically proven effects that do not currently exist. The products can be started in drug stores and pharmacies or are offered on the Internet.

Probiotics as dietary supplements (examples):

·        Flora-20 culture complex with over 20 cultures

·        Vegavero Pro-Bio culture complex (4 bifidobacteria and six lactic acid bacteria strains)

·        Probation Plus with 18 known bacterial cultures

·        Gut flora plus select Dr. Wolz with eight types of lactic acid bacteria, bifid bacteria, and Streptococcus thermophilus