Among nutraceutical suppliers, much attention is given to scientifically identifying, validating and consistently delivering the health benefits of botanical extracts and other bioactive compounds. These principals also are being applied to probiotics, defined by Guarner & Schaafsma1 as "living microorganisms, which upon ingestion in certain numbers, exert health benefits beyond inherent basic nutrition." Advances in genome research will lead to a future in which probiotics will consistently deliver desired health benefits.
In 1907, Nobel Laureate Eli Metchnikoff put forth the theory that intestinal colons contain putrefactive bacteria and that by consuming fermented milk, lives would be longer and more disease-free.