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Glossary
Gut
Site of digestion, absorption, immune function, and elimination.
Microorganisms
Microscopic living organisms.
Bacteria
Single cell microscopic living organisms with 500–1000 different species
in the intestine alone.
Microflora
Bacteria and other microorganisms that inhabit an area, (e.g., the intestinal
tract).
Microbiota
A term used by researchers to replace microflora.
Probiotics
Live microorganisms which, when consumed in adequate amounts, confer a health
benefit on the host.
Prebiotics
Nondigestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and/or the
activity of beneficial bacteria in the colon and improve health.
Pathogenic bacteria
Disease causing bacteria which can cause both damage to the gut tissue and infections.
Oligosaccharide
Nondigestible fermentable carbohydrate.
Fructooligosaccharide (FOS)
A naturally occurring fructan sugar which acts like a fiber, passing undigested
to the large intestine where it is extensively fermented by colonic bacteria.
Galactooligosaccharide (GOS)
Non-digestible oligosaccharides produced by lactose fermentation.
Inulin
A natural prebiotic fiber used in commercial foods. It is a food source extracted
primarily from chicory root rather than a manufactured ingredient.
Functional food
Foods that have health benefits in addition to their nutritive value.
Synbiotic food
Both prebiotic and probiotic ingredients are used in the same food.
Bowel transit time
The amount of time it takes for ingested food to travel through your GI tract
and pass out as stool.
Lactose intolerance
The inability to digest lactose, the natural sugar of milk. Symptoms may include
bloating, gas, diarrhea, and discomfort.
Milk allergy
Hypersensitivity to milk protein.
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