ARTHUR C. OUWEHAND^1*, ASHTON HARPER², JESSICA A. TER HAAR³, ANTHONY THOMAS⁴, THOMAS TOMPKINS⁵
*Corresponding author
1. International Flavors and Fragrances, Kantvik, Finland
2. ADM Protexin Ltd., Somerset, United Kingdom; present address: Roche Diagnostics Ltd., Burgess Hill, United Kingdom
3. International Probiotic Association, Los Angeles, USA
4. Jarrow Formulas, Los Angeles, USA
5. Lallemand Health Solutions, Montreal, Canada

Abstract

By definition, probiotics are live microbes that, when administered in adequate amounts, provide a health benefit to the host. As we explain here, not all products that contain microbes are probiotic. While products that are probiotics will have to fulfil minimum requirements. For a consumer it is not straight forward to identify a good quality probiotic product. But here we will highlight points to look for on the product label that can help identify such products. We also discuss the potential benefits probiotics may have with areas such as e.g. reduced risk for antibiotics associated diarrhoea and respiratory tract infection as well areas with fair documentation, such as e.g. reducing risk for atopic dermatitis and bacterial vaginosis and areas that are emerging such as e.g. reducing risk for dental caries and urinary tract infection.

INTRODUCTION

There appears to be a never-ending flow of information about the human microbiota. Reports about new findings on the role of our, mainly intestinal, microbes in health and disease are published on an almost weekly basis in the mainstream media. Diet is obviously a major influence on the composition and activity of the intestinal microbiota. However, there are more specific ways to augment the microbiota; with probiotics (1) and prebiotics (2).

Here we will discuss the benefits of probiotics and the requirements for probiotics.

WHAT IS A PROBIOTIC; AND WHAT NOT?

Probiotics are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host” (1). While this definition appears clear at first glance, the term “probiotic(s)” is often misused, which has led to widespread confusion as to what is, and what is not, a probiotic. The word “live” indicates that a sufficient quantity (i.e., adequate dose) of the microbe(s) must remain viable in the product during the entirety of shelf life; viability is typically measured and reported as c ...