*Potential Health
Benefits of Synbiotics
|
Potential Benefit |
Possible Mode of Action |
|
Antimicrobial |
·
Prevent attachment of pathogenic
bacteria to intestinal wall ·
Stimulate antigen specific and
nonspecific immune responses |
|
Anticancer |
·
Inhibit growth of cancer cells ·
Inactivate carcinogens ·
Enhancement of calcium and magnesium
absorption may assist in controlling rate of cell turnover (proliferation) |
|
Prevention and
treatment of diarrhea |
·
Crowd out diarrhea-causing pathogens ·
Strengthen intestinal wall |
|
Allergy relief |
·
Reinforce the barrier function of
intestinal wall; possibly blocking absorption of some antigens |
|
Osteoporosis
prevention |
·
Enhance absorption of calcium and
magnesium |
|
Reduction of blood
lipids and blood glucose |
·
Mechanism not well understood;
triglyceride, total and LDL cholesterol lowering effect |
|
Regulate/enhance
immune function |
·
Increase levels of circulating
immunoglobulin A (IgA) |
Reference: #39
The
chart below lists some US foods and supplements containing prebiotics and
synbiotics.
Type of Product
|
Product Name
|
Company |
Description
|
|
Prebiotic |
InufloraÔ |
Naturally Vitamins |
Tablet or powder form |
|
Prebiotic |
Inu-Lean |
Naturally Vitamins |
Chocolate mint wafers (Inulin and 500mg calcium) |
|
Prebiotic |
ProSure |
Abbott Laboratories |
Nutrition and energy beverage (2.4g FOS/8 oz) |
|
Synbiotic |
Assorted yogurts |
Stonyfield |
Flavored yogurts containing multiple
live active cultures and inulin |
|
Synbiotic |
Synbiotic Sachets |
UAS Laboratories |
Supplement with probiotic cultures
and FOS |
|
Synbiotic |
Kefir |
Lifeway Foods |
Fermented diary drink with probiotics
and inulin |
Reference (38, 40)