How to Select a Probiotic

The Food and Drug Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) have defined probiotics as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host”.

Although there are numerous probiotics which are commercially available; however, not all bacterial strains can be considered probiotics.

Probiotics should in fact have some fundamental characteristics :

• Specifically named with reference to its Genus, Species and Strain specificity so that its identity is clearly elucidated
– E.g. Lactobacillus fermentum PCC® (Genus: Lactobacillus, Species: fermentum, Strain: PCC®)
• Of human origin – for it to impart benefits to humans
• Non-pathogenic in nature
• Resistant to destruction by technical processing and by bile and gastric acids
• Able to adhere to intestinal mucosa and colonize it
• Able to produce antimicrobial substances, modulate immune response and influence human metabolic activities.

Having been extensively studied in various clinical trials, NuvaPro™ meets all of FAO/WHO’s probiotic selection criterias.

Role of Probiotics