Bacteria: Single-celled microorganisms. Some bacteria are “harmful” and can cause disease, while other “friendly” bacteria play an important role in maintaining a healthy body.
Bifidobacterium: A genus of “friendly” bacteria that lives in our large intestine and helps to beneficially modulate the Immune system. Commonly used genus for probiotic applications.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Two types of disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both are a chronic inflammation of the intestine. Ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon, while Crohn’s can be anywhere between the stomach and anus. Not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A collection of symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort with no clear cause. Not a disease, but a syndrome. Not to be confused with inflammatory bowel disease.
Lactobacillus: Bacterial genus, commonly used for probiotic applications. Species used include Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. reuteri, L. rhamnosus, a.o.
Microflora: Correct term is microbiota, the entire population of microorganisms present in a given environment, e.g. the intestine.
Prebiotic: Food ingredients that specifically stimulate the proliferation and/or activity of beneficial bacteria within the intestinal microbiota.
Probiotic: From the Greek words “for life.” “Friendly bacteria,” defined as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.” Used in foods or neutraceuticals to benefit consumers’ health. The most commonly used probiotics are bacteria from the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Sources: Stonyfield Yogurt,
