[thedoc (OP)]

Monika asked the Naked Scientists:
   
I was wondering if you could explain pre- and probiotics. What exactly are they and how do they work? Do we actually know how they work or just *that* they work but not what the mechanisms are? There is a lot of stuff floating around the internet on that subject, but considering some sources completely contradict each other,

I'm not sure the info out there is all that accurate.

And on a more day-to-day level, what should one look for in a probiotic supplement? Do supplements actually work? It used to be that "number of live cultures" was the selling point, now it appears they have moved to methods of getting the supplement to where it's supposed to work by means of freeze drying cultures and using specially coated capsules. Do cultures actually survive the trip to the gut?

Thanks for clearing things up!
What do you think?

[chris]

This article on probiotics includes an explanation of what pre-biotics are too; it's a good read. Please take a look and then come back to me if you have follow up questions.