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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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As Probiotics Expand, Confusion Sets In

Many questions linger about 'friendly' bacteria

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(Newser) – Probiotics are branching out of the dairy aisle and into all types of food—from pizza to cereal—as marketers try to sell the health benefits. Seems like good news. The so-called friendly bacteria is supposed to help with digestion and boost the immune system, among other things. The problem is that scientists say the jury's still out on such claims, raising the danger that consumers will end up hoodwinked and confused, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Doctors believe probiotics are generally safe, but the word is widely misused in the food industry. The European Union has recently started regulating the health claims, and Dannon is now fighting a lawsuit that it misled consumers with its Activia and DanActive products. Generally, probiotics are food or beverages that include live organisms, but the FDA points out that there's no standard definition. In other words, buyer beware.

Attune Foods, maker of the world's first probiotic chocolate bar, is introducing its latest creations: Coffee Bean, Raspberry and Almond chocolate bars packed with probiotics.
Attune Foods, maker of the world's first probiotic chocolate bar, is introducing its latest creations: Coffee Bean, Raspberry and Almond chocolate bars packed with probiotics.   (Photo: Business Wire)
A box of the Kashi Company's new Vive probiotic digestive wellness cereal is seen on a grocery shelf in Chicago.
A box of the Kashi Company's new Vive probiotic digestive wellness cereal is seen on a grocery shelf in Chicago.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
GoodBelly, a new nutritious and delicious fruit drink featuring powerful probiotics and antioxidant-rich fruit, is now in stores. Food makers are expanding probiotics products.
GoodBelly, a new nutritious and delicious fruit drink featuring powerful probiotics and antioxidant-rich fruit, is now in stores. Food makers are expanding probiotics products.   (PRNewsFoto/GOODBELLY)
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4 comments
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Toon
Jun 18, 09 7:08 PM CDT
Here's the deal - if you have been taking antibiotics or have had a bout of stomach flu then eat some live culture yogurt to insure your gut has the right kind of bacteria in it. If you are healthy you don't need to worry about it. Reply
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flame821
Jun 18, 09 8:00 PM CDT
I somewhat disagree with you. Considering the modern diet; heavy on junk food and over processed foods. I would think live culture yogurt 2-3 times a week for everyone over the age of 5 would be a good idea. But after antibiotic or stomach virus? ABSOLUTELY, you need to give the good flora a change to recover too.
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riffran
Jun 18, 09 11:24 PM CDT
Your both on the right track, it is very important to maintain a good balance of benificial bacteria in the gi system, everthing from enhancing the intrinsic factor in the stomach (vitamin D source) to keeping other organisms from overgrowth, such as yeast..(thats one reason why females in particular can develop a bad yeast infection after a round of strong antibiotics, but can occur in males also)....but as they say everything in moderation, and there is no one panacea. The good thing is that there are many natural sources of the bacteria in question, in daily foods...buttermilk is a good one, and the whole "pro-biotic" concept per se is just a popular trend, and has been known for a while...it is just being advertised better as a new product...and as for the junk food....garbage in ...garbage out...lol Reply
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taiwokay
Jun 19, 09 2:10 AM CDT
caveat emtor! that's the word let the buyers beware! Reply
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