Journal of Probiotics & Health
Open Access

Probiotics, prebiotics, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals: The new frontier

4^th International Conference and Exhibition on Probiotics, Functional and Baby Foods

November 03-05, 2015 Valencia, Spain

Antonello Santini

University of Napoli Federico II, Italy

Posters-Accepted Abstracts: J Prob Health

Abstract :

Many food components have clearly established strong links with human health and it is learnt that their deficiencies can provoke diseases. The epidemiological evidences and modern research in nutrition during the last few decades elaborated the molecular level of interactions between specific food constituents with cells to control and prevent some diseases. It is nowadays acknowledged the critical role of the â�?�?forgotten organâ�?, the enteric micro-biota, in generating a variety of functions which sustain health. The beneficial interaction between the micro-biota and humans is the way how bacteria contained within the gut â�?�?talkâ�? to the immune system. Into this landscape probiotics, prebiotics and nutraceuticals play a major role. Several human diseases have benefited from the use of probiotics. Prebiotics promote the growth of â�?�?goodâ�? bacteria and variety of health benefits have been attributed to their use. Nutraceuticals, the â�?�?drugs for healthy peopleâ�? can prevent and in some cases cure some pathological conditions, e.g., the ones related to the metabolic syndrome. The bioactive constituents extracted and concentrated from many foods mainly of vegetal origin (phytocomplexes) have been identified and knowledge about their use in nutrition is expanding. They represent a frontier to be explored at the interface between nutrition and pharmaceutics and a new important tool to prevent the onset of heath condition and to limit the use of pharmaceuticals in a preventive pro active approach.

Biography :

Email: asantini@unina.it