Microorganisms and probiotics

The probiotic approach and the history of the microorganism

Man's relationship with microorganisms is ancient. Health effects from live bacteria in

food are already described in the Old Testament and fermented milk was given to children and during

convalescence in ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.

In 76 BC, the Roman historian Plinius recommended the intake of fermented milk products

for gastrointestinal infections. The probiotic approach was later founded by Eli Metchnikoff at the

Pasteur Institute in Paris in 1908.

What are probiotics?

The word probiotics was coined as early as 1965, but originally comes from the Greek and

means "for life". The World Health Organization WHO has later defined the word and its

meaning as; "Live microorganisms which, when administered in sufficient quantity, provide

valuable health benefits".

Probiotics hosts several types of microorganisms:

Lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacteria) - a type of probiotic with the ability to i.a. by

fermentation convert sugars into lactic acid.

Bifidobacteria - a type of probiotic with particular high ability to e.g. produce organic acids, so-called SCFA (short chain fatty acids), which help to strengthen the barrier of the intestinal mucosa.

Criteria for probiotics

For a bacterial strain or a yeast to qualify itself as a probiotic, it needs to meet

set criteria:

  • Must be characterized.
  • Be safe for the user.
  • Be alive when ingested and remain alive in the intestine.
  • Clear storage conditions.
  • Have proven health effects.

Bacteria thrive in different places in the gut

Different factors influence where in the gut probiotic strains choose to establish themselves, such as pH

value (acidic or alkaline), oxygen levels and the type of bacteria in the intestinal flora. Some areas,

as the small intestine has more oxygen and a lower pH value, while other areas have little or

no oxygen, for example certain areas of the large intestine, making these areas suitable for the

bacteria strains that do not need oxygen to survive.

Supports the gut's microbial balance

Probiotic bacteria have the ability to support the gut in several different ways. They produce

organic acids and stimulate mucus formation, making the environment unfavorable for

disease-causing bacteria, as well as aid our digestion and support our

< p id="">immune system.

Not allowed

In Sweden, it is not allowed to name bacteria and yeast as probiotics, regardless of whether they< /p>

meets the established criteria or not. Instead, all the bacteria and

yeasts that have health effects are called Lactic Acid Bacteria or Lactic Acid Yeast. The name

is not really correct, as not all bacterial genera produce exactly lactic acid.

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S.Boulardii - The probiotic yeast that saves the holidays

The year is 1923. The French microbiologist Henri Boulard is traveling through Southeast Asia and finds himself in the middle of a cholera epidemic. He discovers that the locals make tea from the peel of lychee and mangosteen fruit to relieve the acute diarrhea caused by cholera, which makes him curious.

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The importance of eating lactic acid bacteria

Poor diet and a lifestyle with high stress expose the intestinal flora to great challenges. It is known today that the species richness and amount of bacteria in the intestinal flora is affected by how we live and what we eat, and that the greater the species richness of the intestinal flora, the better resistance we have to disease and imbalance.

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The small child's important intestinal flora

The intestinal flora is established and gradually develops in different stages during these 1,000 days. Diversity and composition of the intestinal flora is affected by several factors.

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Microorganisms and probiotics

The word probiotics was coined as early as 1965, but originally comes from the Greek and means "for life". The World Health Organization WHO has later defined the word and its meaning...

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Assured survival and patented protection technologies

The properties and activity of lactic acid bacteria depend on their viability in the gastrointestinal tract of the host where they primarily act.

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The travel company that can save the holiday.

When you travel, there is a risk that your stomach will be upset and the holiday will have to be spent on the toilet. But with the right preparations, the risk can be reduced, or completely eliminated

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Upset stomach

Disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract - or "uneasy stomach" - are unfortunately a widespread problem today.

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About the intestine and the microflora

The intestine is the boundary between the outside and the inside of the body and also the body's most important area for contact and exchange.

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About lactic acid bacteria

Microorganisms are found everywhere on earth and in both humans and animals. In all the water, in the air we breathe and in the food we eat.

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Balloon stomach, bloated and gassy - most common stomach problems in Swedish women.

Balloon stomach, bloated and gassy are by far the most common stomach problems in Swedish women.

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Characterization shows the special properties of the bacterial strains.

There are many different strains of, for example, Lactobacillus acidophilus, but they do not all have the same properties, but affect their environment in different ways

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Our manufacturers

In 1934, Institut Rosell was founded by the microbiologist Dr. José Maria Rosell and Dr. Edouard Brochu and today stands as pioneers for the development of probiotics in the world.

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The stomach barometer tells how Swedish stomachs feel.

70% state that they have had various types of stomach problems in the last 12 months.