| Probiotics | | | | Conclusion |
| Large number of micro-organisms live on various | | | | Probiotics aim to generate a useful effect on the host |
| sections of human body (skin, mouth and | | | | by administration of live micro-organisms such as |
| gastrointestinal tracts) that are exposed to the outside | | | | those in traditional yoghurt and other fermented foods |
| environment. These are known as commensal | | | | or in powders, tablets, liquid suspensions and lyophilised |
| microbes have associated with humans. They are | | | | in capsules. |
| greatly interdependent with them. | | | | Probiotics have the ability to inhibit intestinal bacterial |
| The highest concentration of commensal organisms | | | | enzymes involved in the synthesis of colonic |
| believed to be in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that has | | | | carcinogens. They have proved to be effective on |
| above 400m2 surface area (this makes up the | | | | modulation of immune function, humoral, cellular and |
| second largest surface area of the body). The GI tract | | | | non-specific immunity. |
| can harbour high extent of flora (>500 various | | | | Some advantages of probiotics over conventional |
| bacterial species) among which some are beneficial, | | | | therapy can include virtually low cost, and the fact that |
| e.g. stimulating and supporting the host from invading | | | | probiotics are not expected to increase the incidence |
| bacteria and viruses and assisting digestion. | | | | of antibiotic resistance and the mechanisms in which |
| A research about germ free animals has implied that | | | | probiotics may suppress pathogens, so reducing the |
| microbial colonization has essential (health) roles for | | | | extent of resistance against the probiotic. |
| humans. However microbes may occasionally develop | | | | Prebiotics may be more efficient than probiotics in |
| a pathogenic relationship with a host that can result in | | | | obtaining colonic bacterial adaptation and also affecting |
| occurring disease or even death of the host. | | | | lactose intolerance. However, both probiotics and |
| Microbial metabolites may have mutagenic or | | | | prebiotics may finally have beneficial effects on colonic |
| carcinogenic activity. As a result cancer can develop | | | | disease. |
| during the long period of exposure, Therefore | | | | Prebiotic foods generally have certain absorption, fibre |
| understanding the influence of colonizing microbes in | | | | contribution, gut integrity, immune function and |
| addition to learning desired factors to encourage the | | | | cholesterol control. Some prebiotics are consumed for |
| positive and inhibit the negative activities of commensal | | | | the treatment of constipation and hepatic |
| attacking microbes. | | | | encephalopathy. |
| The probiotic abstraction has been an important issue. | | | | Prebiotics can protect against some intestinal |
| They are known as live micro-organisms involving a | | | | pathogens and may be helpful in some inflammatory |
| health influence on the host when consumed in | | | | bowel disease. They can have some anticarcinogenic |
| adequate amount (Guarner and Schaafsma 1998). In | | | | influences. |
| other words, Probiotics are the foods for the beneficial | | | | The market trends and biological potential of both |
| bacteria. They can be added to the diet to help the | | | | probiotics and prebiotics are considerable. The growing |
| beneficial bacteria grow and survive the digestive | | | | demands of natural alternatives over conventional |
| mechanism. | | | | medicine are expected to improve the prebiotic |
| Prebiotics | | | | market. |
| Prebiotics are known as nondigestible food ingredients | | | | Americans are constantly recognising that their |
| that can beneficially influence the host byselectively | | | | low-fibre diet could be the main cause for the growing |
| stimulating the growth or /and activity of a certain | | | | occurrence of obesity, diabetes mellitus, and coronary |
| number of bacteria in the colon. In fact, they are the | | | | vascular diseases. |
| food for the friendly bacteria. They may be added to | | | | While there is a greater awareness that gut health |
| the diet to provide the situation for effective bacteria | | | | translates to overall health, most Americans are |
| to grow and survive in the digestive mechanism. | | | | unaware of the potential benefits offered by prebiotics. |