Prebiotics feed the probiotics residing in the gastrointestinal tract, promote their growth and activity and are therefore beneficial to health; they work in synergy with probiotics, meaning that they intensify each other’s positive effects. Prebiotics are mainly fibers – inulin or its derived substances of oligofructose and galacto-oligosaccharides. 1 Products containing both prebiotics and probiotics are called synbiotics2. If the balance of the microflora has been disrupted, then it is best to use both prebiotics and probiotics (synbiotics)together, because they will have a symbiotic effect in the body upon consumption.
Zinc chelate is a chemical compound, where zinc is in the form of an amino acid. Zinc chelate has several advantages over other zinc compounds, which make it extremely beneficial at times of illness when the body is especially sensitive to all additional irritants. Zinc chelate is gentle on the gastrointestinal tract, it does not cause irritation or nausea. Experimental studies have found it to be well absorbed. Zinc from meat, eggs and seafood is better absorbed precisely because these products contain the amino acids cysteine and methionine, which aid zinc absorption. Zinc chelate is especially beneficial during acute diarrhea, as it promotes rehydration, i.e. speeds up the restoration of fluids in the body4 Zinc promotes the normal functioning of the immune system and cognitive function, helps promote normal metabolism and maintain healthy hair, nails and skin.
[1] Pal DT, Gowda NK, et al. Effect of copper- and zinc-methionine supplementation on bioavailability, mineral status and tissue concentrations of copper and zinc in ewes. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2010 Apr;24(2):89-94.
[1] King JC, Cousins RJ. Zinc. In: Shils ME, Shike M, Ross AC, Caballero B, Cousins RJ, eds. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 10th ed. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006:271-285.
[1] Haider BA, Bhutta ZA.The effect of therapeutic zinc supplementation among young children with selected infections: a review of the evidence. Food Nutr Bull. 2009 Mar;30(1 Suppl):S41-59.
[1]Chaitali Bajait and Vijay Thawani. Role of zinc in pediatric diarrhea. Indian J Pharmacol. 2011 May-Jun; 43(3): 232–235.
Probiotic bacteria are often called friendly, good or healthy bacteria. Probiotics are products containing live microorganisms, which, when consumed in adequate amounts, confer a health effect (definition by the World Health Organization). They help prevent or treat various diseases, and can be consumed through food, special beverages or dietary supplements.
Categories of probiotics in use today are lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus), bifidobacteria (Bifidobacterium) and some strains of Escherichia coli bacteria, as well as yeast Saccharomyces boulardi. These bacteria are known to survive the acidic environment of the stomach and the aggressive effects of bile to reach the small and large intestine where they exert their effects and form colonies.
Probiotics gained their name in the 1960s from Greek and Latin meaning for life (pros bios). However, the notion of probiotics had been around for at least half a century before that.
The “inventor” of probiotics is Russian scientist Ilya Metchnikoff. From the Caucasus Mountains he brought the world the news that probiotics are the key to longevity.
He was inspired by the longevity of the Caucasians and their high consumption of fermented dairy. “The dependence of the intestinal microbes on the food makes it possible to adopt measures to modify the flora in our bodies and to replace the harmful microbes with useful microbes.” He also proposed that “the acid-producing organisms in fermented dairy products could prevent “fouling” in the large intestine and thus lead to a prolongation of the life of the consumer” 4(Metchnikoff 1908).
At that same time Henry Tissier, a French pediatrician, observed that children with diarrhea had in their stools a low number of bacteria characterized by a peculiar, Y-shaped morphology. These “bifid” bacteria were, on the contrary, abundant in healthy children. He suggested that these bacteria could be administered to patients with diarrhea to restore a healthy gut flora.
A high-quality probiotic product is an effective means to restore a healthy gastrointestinal flora, especially after taking antibiotics or when consuming a diet high in processed food. Supplemented probiotics can alter the intestinal microflora and affect the behavior of the microorganisms residing there. Probiotic content in stool shows that the effects of probiotics in the body last 1-4 weeks. If a sustained benefit from a probiotic is desired, continued consumption is required.