title: Probiotics and prebiotics in female health.
abstract: Functional foods such as probiotics, prebiotics and nutraceuticals are of extreme interest to researchers. There is growing evidence that these food ingredients may improve and in some cases treat certain conditions that are implicated in women's health. The use of probiotics (live, beneficial bacteria) in improving gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal tract conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, candidiasis and other female urogenital tract conditions are reviewed. Emphasis is also given to the importance of prebiotics (non-digestible food ingredients) in osteoporosis management and alleviation of menopausal symptoms and reducing the onset of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Microbiology Research Fellow, Food Microbial Sciences Unit, School of Food Biosciences, The University of Reading, Reading, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smejkal
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kolida
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bingham
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McCartney
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D008517:Phytotherapy; D019936:Probiotics