[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fxLN3MUwXCdr5RPjwZYIDpOj8CHyjOmngWTgoKXPtZbg":3,"$fgn4fiy3qR2vNvY3rte6NjSBW70xw-64p0Za4cvPAq54":32,"$f3Ft0rKFJHppdzE-vuveecxx1BUcg9iOlMLtyzf_MJDg":100},[4,8,12,16,20,24,28],{"title":5,"slug":6,"path":7},"About Microbeonline.com","about-microbeonline-com","\u002Fabout-microbeonline-com\u002F",{"title":9,"slug":10,"path":11},"About Me","about-me","\u002Fabout-microbeonline-com\u002Fabout-me\u002F",{"title":13,"slug":14,"path":15},"Advertise with Us","advertise-us","\u002Fadvertise-us\u002F",{"title":17,"slug":18,"path":19},"Privacy Policy","privacy-policy","\u002Fprivacy-policy\u002F",{"title":21,"slug":22,"path":23},"Abbreviations","abbreviations","\u002Fabbreviations\u002F",{"title":25,"slug":26,"path":27},"Microbes","microbes","\u002Fmicrobes\u002F",{"title":29,"slug":30,"path":31},"Books","recommended-books","\u002Frecommended-books\u002F",{"type":33,"data":34},"blog",{"slug":35,"title":36,"description":36,"seoTitle":37,"seoDescription":37,"author":38,"createdDate":39,"lastUpdatedDate":40,"draft":41,"category":42,"image":37,"body":43,"faq":44,"tags":45,"related":47},"probiotics-prebiotics","Probiotics, Prebiotics and Health Benefits",null,"Acharya Tankeshwar","2021-06-29","2026-07-05",false,"general-microbiology","World Health Organization (WHO) defines “probiotics” as “**live microorganisms** that, when administered in **adequate amounts**, confer a perceived **health benefit** on the host”.\n\nThese intentionally ingested microorganisms consist **mainly of bacteria but also include yeasts.** Products containing dead microorganisms and those made by microorganisms are, by definition, not probiotics.\n\nProbiotics (Greek *pro*, for, and *bios*, life) confer various benefits especially to individuals who experience major changes in their normal microflora due to disease, surgery, or other medical treatments, or whose normal microflora changes for other reasons, such as poor diet. Oral administration of probiotic organisms reestablish the natural balance of gastrointestinal flora and return the host to normal health and nutrition.\n\nProbiotic microorganisms are host-specific; thus a strain selected as a probiotic in one animal may not be suitable in another species. Probiotics are subcategorized into probiotic drugs, probiotic foods (e.g., foods, food ingredients, and dietary supplements), direct-fed microbials (probiotics for animal use), and designer probiotics (genetically modified probiotics).\n\n## Prebiotics\n\nProbiotics should **not be confused with prebiotics** which are food ingredients, typically complex carbohydrates (mostly consisting of nonstarch polysaccharides and oligosaccharides) that escape digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract and are available for microorganisms living in the colon.\n\n![Prebiotics, Probiotics and Synbiotics](https:\u002F\u002Fassets.microbeonline.com\u002Fblogs\u002FPrebiotics-Probiotics-Synbiotics.jpg)Figure: Prebiotics, Probiotics and Synbiotics\n\nMost prebiotics are used as food ingredients in chocolates, biscuits, cereals, spreads, and dairy products. Commonly known prebiotics are:\n\n1. Oligofructose\n2. Inulin\n3. Galacto-oligosaccharides\n4. Lactulose\n5. Breast milk oligosaccharides\n\nThe prebiotic **oligofructose** is found naturally in many foods,  such as wheat, onions,  bananas, honey, garlic, and leeks. Oligofructose can also be isolated from chicory root or synthesized enzymatically from sucrose.\n\n**Inulin** is a prebiotic fiber that occurs naturally in asparagus, garlic, onions, wheat, garlic, leeks, chicory, oats, soybeans, and Jerusalem artichokes.\n\n**Galacto-oligosaccharides** which are mainly used in infant milk formula are made up of plant sugars linked in chains. They are found naturally in dairy products, beans, and certain root vegetables.\n\n**Lactulose** is a man-made sugar that contains two naturally occurring sugars, galactose, and fructose. Lactulose is produced industrially by isomerization of lactose via a 1,2-enediol intermediate.\n\n## Health Benefits of Prebiotics\n\nThe use of both prebiotics and\u002For probiotics is intended to influence the gut environment for the benefit of human health and their beneficial effects extend beyond the gut. Fermentation of oligofructose  in  the  colon  results  in  a  large  number  of  physiologic  effects, including:\n\n- Increasing the number of bifidobacteria in the colon\n- Increasing calcium absorption\n- Increasing fecal weight\n- Shortening gastrointestinal transit time\n- Possibly lowering blood lipid levels\n\n![Possible health benefits of prebiotics - Possible health benefits of prebiotics (imagesource)](https:\u002F\u002Fassets.microbeonline.com\u002Fblogs\u002Fpossible-health-benefit-of-prebiotics.png)Figure: Possible health benefits of prebiotics (imagesource)\n\nPrebiotics s**electively stimulate the growth of selective bacterial genera** such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the colon. The increase in colonic bifidobacteria benefits human health by producing digestive enzymes, vitamins, reducing blood ammonia levels, and inhibiting potential pathogens. Lactulose is a  synthetic disaccharide used as a  drug for the treatment of constipation and hepatic encephalopathy.\n\nCommercial products containing both **prebiotic sugars** and **probiotic organisms** are often called “**synbiotics**.” Synbiotics are appropriate combinations of prebiotics and probiotics and exert both a prebiotic and probiotic effect.\n\n![Probiotic vs antibiotics](https:\u002F\u002Fassets.microbeonline.com\u002Fblogs\u002Fprobiotics-vs-antibiotics.jpg)Figure: Probiotic vs antibiotics\n\n## Probiotics vs. Antibiotics\n\nThe term “probiotic” literally means “for life” **and**“ antibiotic” **literally means**“ opposing life”; are two opposing categories of supplements or drugs. **Antibiotics** (Greek *anti*, against, and *bios*, life) are used to prevent and treat infections caused by pathogenic bacteria whereas **probiotics** (Greek pro, for, and bios, life) are used to replenish good bacteria.\n\nFor example, during the course of antibiotics treatment, good bacteria of the gut are also wiped out, taking probiotics helps to restore the gut microbiome, thus restoring the healthy state of the gut.\n\n![Action of Probiotics and antibiotics - Action of antibiotics and probiotics (imagesource)](https:\u002F\u002Fassets.microbeonline.com\u002Fblogs\u002Fprobitoics-antibiotics-infographic.jpg)Figure: Action of antibiotics and probiotics (imagesource)\n\n## Probiotic Microorganisms\n\nA probiotic should contain a number of viable cells greater than 106 to 108  per dose to be efficacious. Seven microorganisms most often used in probiotic products are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, and **Bacillus.**\n\nThese beneficial microorganisms are **naturally present in fermented foods** (such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, etc), may be added to other food products, and also available as dietary supplements or as drugs. Probiotic microorganisms from commercial providers come in a variety of forms, including powders, pills, liquid suspensions, and food products.\n\n[Microorganisms selected for probiotic use](\u002Fmicroorganisms-probiotic\u002F) should exhibit the following characteristics:\n\n1. Adhere to the intestinal mucosa of the host\n2. Be easily cultured\n3. Be nontoxic and nonpathogenic to the host\n4. Exert a beneficial effect on the host\n5. Produce useful enzymes or physiological end products that the host can use\n6. Remain viable for a long time\n7. Withstand HCl in the host’s stomach and bile salts in the small intestine\n\n## Health Benefits of Probiotics\n\nNumerous clinical trials have proven the health benefits of probiotics but the exact mechanisms of the health benefits are not fully understood. Gut health is the most important target for probiotics. Prevention and treatment of different forms of diarrhea is one of the most successful and best-documented health benefits of probiotics.\n\n![ - Health benefits of probiotics (Image source)](https:\u002F\u002Fassets.microbeonline.com\u002Fblogs\u002Fprobiotic-health-benefits.png)Figure: Health benefits of probiotics (Image source)\n\nAlterations in the composition of the intestinal microbiome have been associated with infections in the gastrointestinal tract, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Growing evidence indicates that probiotics may be effective in the treatment of specific clinical IBD and IBS conditions but large trials are necessary before doctors can prescribe particular probiotics confidently on a routine basis as therapeutic agents.\n\n**Proven potential benefits of probiotics include:**\n\n1. Anticarcinogenic activity\n2. Control of intestinal pathogens\n3. Improvement of lactose use in individuals who have lactose intolerance\n4. Reduction in the serum cholesterol concentration\n5. Reduction of the risk of antibiotic-induced diarrhea\n\n“#ad”\n\n## Review Best Commercial Probiotics Products\n\nIf you want to check commercial probiotic products, the amazon website can be a good platform. You can follow this link [Review Best Commercial Probiotics Products](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.com\u002Fgp\u002Fsearch?ie=UTF8&tag=microbeonl004-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=2d1b2852e3a11c2c8c41ea5eef6bae22&camp=1789&creative=9325&index=aps&keywords=probiotics) and view\u002Fpurchase various types of commercial probiotics based on your needs.\n\n**References and further readings**\n\n1. Aragon, G., Graham, D. B., Borum, M., & Doman, D. B. (2010). Probiotic Therapy for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. *Gastroenterology & Hepatology*, *6*(1), 39–44.\n2. Conly, J. M., & Johnston, L. B. (2004). Coming full circle: From antibiotics to probiotics and prebiotics. *The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology*, *15*(3), 161–163.\n3. Hemarajata, P., & Versalovic, J. (2013). Effects of probiotics on gut microbiota: Mechanisms of intestinal immunomodulation and neuromodulation. *Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology*, *6*(1), 39–51. \u003Chttps:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.1177\u002F1756283X12459294>\n4. *Office of Dietary Supplements—Probiotics*. Retrieved June 28, 2021, from \u003Chttps:\u002F\u002Fods.od.nih.gov\u002Ffactsheets\u002FProbiotics-HealthProfessional\u002F>\n5. *Probiotics: What You Need To Know*. NCCIH. Retrieved June 28, 2021, from \u003Chttps:\u002F\u002Fwww.nccih.nih.gov\u002Fhealth\u002Fprobiotics-what-you-need-to-know>\n6. Venugopalan, V., Shriner, K. A., & Wong-Beringer, A. *Regulatory Oversight and Safety of Probiotic Use—Volume 16, Number 11—November 2010—Emerging Infectious Diseases journal—CDC*. \u003Chttps:\u002F\u002Fdoi.org\u002F10.3201\u002Feid1611.100574>",[],[46],"food-microbiology",[48,55,62,70,76,82,88,94],{"slug":49,"title":50,"description":50,"seoTitle":37,"seoDescription":37,"author":51,"createdDate":52,"lastUpdatedDate":40,"draft":41,"category":42,"image":37,"faq":53,"tags":54},"food-preservation-method-canning","Canning: Types, Procedure, and Applications","Samikshya Acharya","2023-05-22",[],[46],{"slug":56,"title":57,"description":57,"seoTitle":37,"seoDescription":37,"author":58,"createdDate":59,"lastUpdatedDate":40,"draft":41,"category":42,"image":37,"faq":60,"tags":61},"food-spoilage-causes-and-prevention","Food Spoilage: Causes and Prevention","Alisha Tripathi","2023-03-15",[],[46],{"slug":63,"title":64,"description":64,"seoTitle":37,"seoDescription":37,"author":65,"createdDate":66,"lastUpdatedDate":40,"draft":41,"category":42,"image":37,"faq":67,"tags":68},"pasteurization-food-preservation-method","Pasteurization: Types and Advantages","Aastha Shrestha","2023-03-01",[],[69,46],"sterilization-disinfection",{"slug":71,"title":72,"description":72,"seoTitle":37,"seoDescription":37,"author":65,"createdDate":73,"lastUpdatedDate":40,"draft":41,"category":42,"image":37,"faq":74,"tags":75},"lactic-acid-fermentation","Lactic Acid Fermentation","2023-02-19",[],[46],{"slug":77,"title":78,"description":78,"seoTitle":37,"seoDescription":37,"author":65,"createdDate":79,"lastUpdatedDate":40,"draft":41,"category":42,"image":37,"faq":80,"tags":81},"microorganisms-found-in-food","Microorganisms Found in Food","2023-02-17",[],[46],{"slug":83,"title":84,"description":84,"seoTitle":37,"seoDescription":37,"author":65,"createdDate":85,"lastUpdatedDate":40,"draft":41,"category":42,"image":37,"faq":86,"tags":87},"food-preservation-methods","Food Preservation: Methods and Their Importance","2023-02-08",[],[46],{"slug":89,"title":90,"description":90,"seoTitle":37,"seoDescription":37,"author":65,"createdDate":91,"lastUpdatedDate":40,"draft":41,"category":42,"image":37,"faq":92,"tags":93},"fermented-foods-types-examples-and-health-benefits","Fermented Foods: Types, Examples, and Health Benefits","2022-12-19",[],[46],{"slug":95,"title":96,"description":96,"seoTitle":37,"seoDescription":37,"author":65,"createdDate":97,"lastUpdatedDate":40,"draft":41,"category":42,"image":37,"faq":98,"tags":99},"prebiotics-mechanisms-sources-and-examples","Prebiotics: Mechanisms, Sources, and Examples","2022-12-04",[],[46],[101,107,114,119,122,125,129,134,138,142],{"slug":102,"name":38,"description":103,"image":104,"body":105,"postCount":106},"acharya-tankeshwar","Editor-in-chief","https:\u002F\u002Fassets.microbeonline.com\u002Fauthors\u002Ftankeshwar-acharya-author-microbeonline.jpg","***Tankeshwar Acharya, MSc (Medical Microbiology)***\n\n*Tankeshwar Acharya is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS), Nepal, where he has been teaching and practicing clinical microbiology for over 14 years. He is the founder of Microbe Online, one of the leading free microbiology education resources on the web, covering bacteriology, mycology, parasitology, immunology, and clinical laboratory diagnostics written from direct experience in both the classroom and the diagnostic laboratory.*",433,{"slug":108,"name":109,"description":110,"image":111,"body":112,"postCount":113},"ashma-shrestha","Ashma Shrestha","SEO Copywriter and Science Communicator\nKathmandu, Nepal","https:\u002F\u002Fassets.microbeonline.com\u002Fauthors\u002Fashma-shrestha.png","Ashma Shrestha holds a Master of Science in Medical Microbiology from the Institute of Science and Technology (IOST), Tribhuvan University, Nepal, where she developed a strong foundation in virology, molecular biology, and diagnostic microbiology.\n\nShe now works as an SEO Copywriter at Resolution Digital, where she combines her scientific training with research-driven content strategy. She is certified in Google Analytics and Google Business Profile (GBP), and brings a data-informed approach to science communication writing content that is not only accurate but structured to reach and serve the students who need it most.\n\nAt microbeonline, Ashma contributes articles primarily in virology and molecular biology, areas she finds most compelling for their mechanistic depth and their growing clinical relevance. Her writing reflects the same standard the site is built on: factual rigor, clear explanation of the *why* behind microbiology concepts, and content that helps students move from memorization to genuine understanding.\n\nShe is passionate about making complex microbiological concepts accessible without sacrificing accuracy; a skill that sits at the intersection of her scientific training and her professional work in content and SEO.",81,{"slug":115,"name":116,"description":117,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":118},"sushmita-baniya","Sushmita Baniya","Author \u002F Contributor",32,{"slug":120,"name":51,"description":117,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":121},"samikshya-acharya",20,{"slug":123,"name":58,"description":117,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":124},"alisha-tripathi",6,{"slug":126,"name":65,"description":127,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":128},"aastha-shrestha"," Author \u002F Contributor",9,{"slug":130,"name":131,"description":132,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":133},"guest-author","Guest Author","Guest Author \u002F Contributor",2,{"slug":135,"name":136,"description":117,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":137},"srijana-khanal","Srijana Khanal",18,{"slug":139,"name":140,"description":132,"image":37,"body":37,"postCount":141},"dr-poonam-acharya","Dr. Poonam Acharya",1,{"slug":143,"name":144,"description":117,"image":37,"body":145,"postCount":146},"nisha-rijal","Nisha Rijal","**Nisha Rijal** is a microbiologist and quality assurance specialist. She served for nearly 12 years as a microbiologist at the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Nepal's national reference laboratory, and continues to work as a consultant microbiologist in international public health organization. ",51]