Taking Care of Our “Friendly Bacteria” Probiotics and Prebiotics

1. Taking Care of Our “Friendly Bacteria”Probiotics and Prebiotics Elizabeth Bancroft OHSU Dietetic Intern 2010

2. 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

3. 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

4. Yogurt and Kefir • Yogurt and kefir are both cultured-dairy products • They are produced by adding probiotic bacteria to milk

5. 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.

6. What have you heard about probiotics or prebiotics???

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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 Diarrhea

11. 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

12. To treat: 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 Other possible uses of probiotics?…

13. 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

14. 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

15. Food Sources of Prebiotics • Food Sources: • Artichokes • Bananas • Barley • Berries • Dairy Products • Greens • Honey • Leeks • Legumes • Onions • Whole grains Mayo Clinic, 2009

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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!!

20. 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 Review: Probiotics vs. Prebiotics

21. 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!

22. Questions?? • Do you have any questions about what we have talked about today?