What is a probiotic?
Probiotics are
defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as "live microorganisms
which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the
host".
Probiotics have
been shown to work by the following mechanisms:
• Competition for nutrients
Within the gut, beneficial as well as pathogenic microorganisms will be utilising the same types of nutrients. This results in a general competition between microorganisms for these nutrients. When a probiotic is administered there is an overall reduction in nutrients available for pathogenic bacteria and consequently this minimises the levels of pathogenic microorganisms.
Within the gut, beneficial as well as pathogenic microorganisms will be utilising the same types of nutrients. This results in a general competition between microorganisms for these nutrients. When a probiotic is administered there is an overall reduction in nutrients available for pathogenic bacteria and consequently this minimises the levels of pathogenic microorganisms.
• Competition for adhesion sites
Probiotics can attach to the gut wall and form colonies at various sites throughout the gut. This prevents pathogenic bacteria from gaining a foothold, resulting in their expulsion from the body.
Probiotics can attach to the gut wall and form colonies at various sites throughout the gut. This prevents pathogenic bacteria from gaining a foothold, resulting in their expulsion from the body.
• Improvement in digestion
Probiotics have been shown to increase the efficiency of digestion.
Probiotics have been shown to increase the efficiency of digestion.
• Lactic acid production
Probiotics produce lactic acid which acts to reduce the gut pH, inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria, which prefer a more alkaline environment.
Probiotics produce lactic acid which acts to reduce the gut pH, inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria, which prefer a more alkaline environment.
• Effect on immunity
Probiotics have been shown to increase the levels of cell-signalling chemicals and the effectiveness of infection-fighting cells (white blood cells).
Probiotics have been shown to increase the levels of cell-signalling chemicals and the effectiveness of infection-fighting cells (white blood cells).
Safety - the microorganism chosen must be
non-pathogenic and non-toxic. Within the EU all probiotics must be registered
for use in an individual animal species. For example, Saccharomyces cerevisiae
(NCYC Sc47) 4b1702 is registered for use in horses.
Viability - the microorganisms within a probiotic product
should remain viable during their storage. The probiotics should also be able
to pass safely through the stomach so that they can colonise the gut. A good
freeze-drying process will enable the product to be stored at room temperature
throughout the duration of its shelf life. Microencapsulation will afford
protection throughout the low acidity of the stomach.
Sufficient numbers - the concentration of a probiotic
must be such that inclusion rates provide a beneficial effect.
Quality assurance - when manufacturing probiotic
products, high quality standards and processes are imperative. This ensures
that the product meets label specifications and is also effective and safe to
use.
There are no side
effects associated with the use of probiotics. All EU-registered probiotics
have to pass stringent safety trials before being approved for use in each
species. It is not possible to give too great a quantity of probiotics as any
excess will simply pass out in the faeces.
Yes, evidence shows
that taking a probiotic at the same time as an antibiotic can reduce the
incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. For the best results, give the
probiotic at the opposite end of the day to the antibiotic. Where this is not
possible, give the probiotic at least three hours after the antibiotic. The
probiotic will not affect the efficacy of the antibiotic.
Anthelmintic
products (wormers) are used regularly to keep a horse worm-free. Wormers can
disrupt the microflora causing a temporary dysbiosis. A short course of
probiotics before, during and after the worming regime can restore this
imbalance.
A prebiotic is a
non-digestible carbohydrate (complex sugar) which acts as a food source for
beneficial bacteria in the microflora and therefore stimulates their growth.
Preplex® prebiotic is exclusive to Protexin and consists of fructooligosaccharide
(FOS) and gum acacia (a source of arabinogalactan). This dual source prebiotic
is of benefit across a larger area of the gut compared to a single source
prebiotic.
We would recommend
that Protexin products are stored in dry, clean conditions,
out of direct sunlight and kept sealed once the original container has been
opened in order to exclude moisture and thermal decomposition. The shelf life
of Protexin products, if stored at room temperature, is 24 months.
All Protexin probiotics are microencapsulated
which affords their protection through the low acidity of the stomach and
enables them to reach the small intestine where they can find sites to grow.
Microencapsulation
is the process whereby the probiotics are enclosed by a protective coating,
during the manufacturing process. This allows the yeast to remain dormant until
they are ingested.
The microflora
consists of various bacteria, protozoa and yeasts. These are distributed
throughout the length of the gut and coexist in a symbiotic (mutual)
relationship in the healthy animal.
Dysbiosis is the
condition of having a microbial imbalance on or within the body.
The main causes of
dysbiosis include:
• Antibiotic
treatment
• Intestinal pathogens
• Worming
• Poor nutrition
• Stress (e.g. travel and shows)
• Life-stage (e.g. weaning and old age)
• Intestinal pathogens
• Worming
• Poor nutrition
• Stress (e.g. travel and shows)
• Life-stage (e.g. weaning and old age)
The most common
symptoms associated with dysbiosis are diarrhoea, colic and altered appetite.
