Innovative probiotic PROVAG - food supplement
Differences Between Probiotics
In gynaecology, intravaginal and oral probiotics are used.
In the case of oral products, it was experimentally shown, that bacteria contained in these products come to the vagina from anus, similarly as for example pathogenic bacteria (very often independently from the used hygienic methods). Probiotics colonized in anus and vagina stop migration and colonization by pathogenic microorganisms which are responsible for urogenital tracts infections.
Not all probiotic products present on the market meet WHO/FAO criteria allowing them to use the term probiotic.
Main criteria are as follows (according to “Guidelines for the Evaluation of Probiotics in Food; 2002”):
- Resistance to gastric acidity
- Bile acid resistance
- Adherence to mucus and/or human epithelial cells and cell lines
- Antimicrobial activity against potentially pathogenic bacteria
- Ability to reduce pathogen to surfaces
- Bile salt hydrolase activity
- Resistance to spermicides (applicable to probiotics for vaginal use)
Inhibiting action towards pathogenic bacteria of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus strains) intended as probiotics with the gynaecological use is related to:
- production of acids decreasing pH of vaginal environment (lactic acid, acetic acid, formic acid)
- production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
- dipeptide/bakteriocines production – laktacine, acidoline, lactobine
- competence for receptor sites on the surface of host cells
- competence for nutritional components
- action modifying mucosal immune system, so-called immunomodulation
