2134/10576
Michael Gleeson
Michael
Gleeson
J.C. Siegler
J.C.
Siegler
L.M. Burke
L.M.
Burke
S.J. Stear
S.J.
Stear
L.M. Castell
L.M.
Castell
A to Z of nutritional supplements: dietary supplements, sports nutrition foods and ergogenic aids for health and performance - part 31
Loughborough University
2012
untagged
Education
Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified
2012-10-05 11:03:00
Journal contribution
https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/A_to_Z_of_nutritional_supplements_dietary_supplements_sports_nutrition_foods_and_ergogenic_aids_for_health_and_performance_-_part_31/9626267
This issue deals with the increasingly interesting
topic of probiotics and also, slightly out of alphabetical
order, with pycnogenol, a product usually
associated with pine bark. Probiotics are food
supplements containing live microorganisms.
They modify intestinal microbiota in a way that
enables beneficial bacteria to increase. An additional
benefit is that probiotics in sufficient quantities
also tend to decrease those species of bacteria
which are considered harmful. It is suggested that
this situation produces many potential benefits for
the health and functioning of the digestive system,
and also has a beneficial effect on immune
function. In the short review below, the effects
of probiotics and their efficacy in reducing infection
incidence (or symptom severity/duration) in
athletes are summarised. Pycnogenol supplementation
has previously been considered to have a
range of beneficial effects, including antioxidant
and anti-inflammatory properties.