Probiotics Health Dictionary

Viable BACTERIA that colonise the intestine and alter the micro?ora and their metabolic activities, with a presumed bene?cial e?ect for the host. Many probiotics are LACTIC ACID bacteria

– for example, LACTOBACILLUS or bi?dobacterium. Not all probiotics have the same properties or e?ectiveness. To be e?ective, a probiotic must survive passage through the stomach – an acid environment – and successfully colonise in the intestines, even when antibiotics are present. Research suggests that probiotics ameliorate the symptoms of childhood and travellers’ DIARRHOEA, reducing the period of acute symptoms – particularly if the infection is caused by one of the ROTAVIRUSES.

pl. n. 1. bacteria (e.g. *Lactobacillus) or other microorganisms that are said to be beneficial to the human body and occur in or are added to certain foods (e.g. yoghurt) and supplements. 2. the foods or supplements containing these microorganisms, which are often given to patients who are taking antibiotics to help prevent antibiotic-induced diarrhoea. —probiotic adj.