1. What are probiotics? 2. What is the Gut Microflora 3. What is the basic concept of probiotics and how do they work? 4. Why take probiotics? 5. How can Protexin help to prevent the effects of stress? 6. What benefits are achieved by using Protexin? 7. When is the right time to use Protexin? 8. How long do I take Protexin before I notice a difference? 9. Do any of the Protexin formulations contain wheat, dairy or animal based ingredients? Is Protexin suitable for use by vegetarians and vegans? 10. Can I take Protexin if I have other illnesses? 11. Is Protexin safe to take during pregnancy? 12. Can probiotics improve digestion and help eliminate Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)? 13. Can I use Protexin when I am taking an antibiotic? Will Protexin interfere with the effectiveness of any other drugs or homeopathic remedies I might be taking? 14. Does Protexin need to be refrigerated? 15. What makes a good probiotic? 16. Is it possible to overdose on probiotics? 17. How do 'live' yoghurts compare to probiotics? |
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What are probiotics?
Dr Roy Fuller defined a probiotic as 'a live microbial feed supplement which beneficially affects the host animal by improving its intestinal microbial balance'. This definition emphasises the importance of live cells as essential components of probiotics.
The word probiosis originated from Greek: pro (for) and biosis (life), and is therefore opposite in meaning to antibiosis, promoting the proliferation of bacterial species within the gastrointestinal tract. Probiosis is defined as 'the property of the normal adult flora to resist the overgrowth of component strains and the establishment of foreign strains' and is reinforced or re-established by probiotics. The concept of probiotics applied to preventative medicine is claimed to have originated from Eli Metchnikoff. He postulated that the longevity observed in the Balkan people was due to the regular consumption of soured milk containing Lactobacillus bulgaricus. |
