Probiotics

Introduction

Probiotics is defined as "live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host."

Prebiotics - dietary ingredient that is used or fermented by microorganisms (gut flora or probiotic) to yield a beneficial result for human host. Examples include inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS).
Synbiotics - a mixture of prebiotic and probiotic.

Indications

Therapeutic use of probiotics may include:

Prevention and treatment of diarrhoea
Treatment of atopic dermatitis - inconsistent evidence
Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri supplement may reduce crying in infants with colics
Prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm, low-birth weight infants

NOTE: Most studies have been small and use highly variable probiotic preparations, and many have important methodologic limitations, making it difficult to make unequivocal conclusions regarding efficacy.