Alberto Cresci

Probiotics and Prebiotics for Human Health: Innovations and New Trends: Design of New Functional Foods and Medical Devices with Pro- and Prebiotics to Improve Intestinal and Vaginal Health Alberto Cresci

Consumers are more aware and concerned about their lifestyle increasing the demand for foods that promote health and wellness, such as functional products containing probiotics and prebiotics, which have beneficial effects. Within the studies from this book the patented probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501® and Lactobacillus paracasei IMC 502® and their combination, SYNBIO®, have proved that are optimal to be included in different dairy, non-dairy foods and beverages, and also used as dietary supplements. As the intestinal microbiota, also vaginal microbiota can change composition rapidly, for reasons that are not fully clear. SYNBIO® probiotic combination was used for the formulation of two new probiotic medical devices with positive effects on the vaginal health. An advantage for women is that they can self-administer the probiotics. Many more studies are needed to optimize the defensive properties of the vaginal microbiota, but the potential remains that the health of many women can be improved by probiotic intervention.