Prebiotics are defined as non-digestible food ingredients that encourage the growth and activity of favorable intestinal bacteria. They are both quickly gaining attention as functional foods. (2)

Probiotic supplements have become popular in the United States and Europe. They may help in treating Clostridium difficle (C. difficle) colitis, diarrhea, lactose intolerance, and urinary tract infections. In people living with HIV (PLWHIV) infection, secondary medical conditions such as hypercholesterolemia, diarrhea, and C. difficle colitis have shown improvement with probiotic supplementation. More than 400 different species of bacteria reside in the human gastrointestinal tract.  The most researched probiotics belong to either the Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium (B.) genera. (3)

Numerous commercially used probiotics species exist (Table 1 {page 3}- also visit <http://www.phototour.minneapolis.mn.us/candida/summary.html>). (4) These species are available in certain yogurts such as those manufactured by Stonyfield Farms and Dannon, fermented milk products such as sauerkraut and fortified fluid milk, and in supplement form. The mechanisms by which probiotics exert their effects are largely unknown, but may involve modifying gut pH, antagonizing pathogens through production of antimicrobial and antibacterial compounds, competing for pathogen binding and receptor sites as well as immunomodulatory cells, and producing lactase. (4) Nutrition professionals can provide a tremendous service by helping clients overcome negative perceptions of all bacteria. When appropriate, they can help their clients by developing individualized dietary plans to take advantage of the benefits probiotics may confer.