Availability of Prebiotic and Probiotic Foods at Household and Commercial Level: Constraints Ahead for Health

Prebiotics are a very special form of dietary fibre while probiotics are living bacteria intended to benefit colon health. Regular intakes of probiotics and prebiotics have an enhanced effect on immune infections, colonic integrity, decreased incidence of intestinal infections, improved digestion, elimination and much more. Research has shown that both probiotics and prebiotics may be useful in achieving these positive effects depending upon the selection of proper product, strain and dosing guidelines of commercial and household products rich in both. Foods like idlis, dosas, lassi etc are some of the lactobacillus fermented cereals and legumes that are commonly consumed at household level while products like yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, sour cream, milk and soy products like tofu, soy milk, beer etc. prepared at commercial levels are probiotic rich foods. The two most common subtypes of prebiotics are the closely related inulins and fructo- oligosaccharides, or FOS and galacto oligosaccharides (GOS) which are synthesized from lactose. Prebiotic rich foods at household level include oats, barley, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower etc. While commercial products like fermented dairy products breakfast cereals, sauces, soups, sports drinks, snack bars etc. contains GOS. The role of probiotics has been found to work efficiently inGIT conditions. , while other health problem such as gingivitis, periodontitis and also reduce the side effects associated with treatment for helicobacterpylori infection, while the prebiotics having an optimal gut microflora increase resistance to pathogenic bacteria, lower blood ammonia increase stimulation of the immune response and reduce the risk of cancer