This event took place on 29 November 2012. Registration is closed.

Probiotics and prebiotics in practice

A practical guide to usability in specific cases

When: Thursday, 29 November 2012, 3:00 PM
Where: Classroom of the Pediatric Clinic Ljubljana, Bohoričeva 20

The main goal of our Institute is education and raising awareness. Interestingly, despite numerous scientific findings about the crucial role of microorganisms that live in our bodies, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, and despite the evidence of practical possibilities probiotics and prebiotics represent in the consolidation of health, disease prevention and treatment, there is a lot of doubt and mistrust among the lay public as well as among the experts in various fields - medical, pharmaceutical, food…Why? Probably there is more than one reason.

Firstly, together with the increasing knowledge of the possibilities that are available from different ways of influencing on the composition and activity of microorganisms in our body, interest in their commercial exploitation is increasing as well. In addition to serious scholars and pro-development business, which came on the market with superb probiotic and prebiotic products, the number of those who have tried to get earnings in the easy way and without any serious scientific basis grew even faster. Consequently, shelves of the stores and pharmacies became loaded with a multitude of products, ranging from those based on many years of scientific development and have clearly been scientifically proven effective, to those who do not have scientific basis and cast a bad light on the others.

Secondly, if the market is a mess, you can only get it fixed by good regulation and continuous quality control. But attempts to try this were also done with unfortunate hand. For several years now, conflicts among many experts in the field of probiotics and intestinal microbiota on the one hand and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the other hand exist behind the scenes, on how to effectively guarantee quality of products. Unfortunately, with too many shots in the blank. Instead of allowing clear recognition and quality control by the regulative, they are currently doing the opposite. Inquisition is at work. Top manufacturers in fear of formal sanctions are withdrawing from world-class development programs to production of unsophisticated and from the standpoint of health insignificant products.

Thirdly, both lay and professional audiences are very modest in knowledge of basic principles, and above all about clear and practical information regarding the usefulness of probiotics and prebiotics.

Therefore, we decided to start with the most extensive awareness-raising campaign and education in the Slovenian area about the actual and evidence-based usability of probiotic and prebiotic products, with which we intend to, reach all publics and provide the following key messages:

Prebiotics and probiotics are scientifically proven to be effective.
The effects are specific, related to the specific type of prebiotic oligosaccharides or probiotic bacterial strains.
There is no universal prebiotic or probiotic, for every indication a proper probiotic or prebiotic should be chosen based on scientifically proven effectiveness for this specific indication.

We realize that users need practical, concrete information. That is the reason why our year’s symposium is called „Probiotics and prebiotics in practice - a practical guide to usability in specific cases”. Apart from a short editorial about the basic knowledge of microbiota, topped with „cracklings” of some of the most interesting and the most recent findings from the mouth of our continuous co-worker, associate professor Irena Rogelj, and an exceptional display of what and why complicate things in the field of regulation of probiotics, presented by one of the most famous experts in this field in the world, professor Mary Eleen Sanders from the USA; all this year's lectures will be provided by clinicians, experts in various fields. Their aim will be to present the role of the microbiota in the development of individual pathology, to show how firmly the efficacy of probiotics and prebiotics is established in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, and finally, to suggest which specific prebiotic or probiotic to choose in individual cases. Thus, from practice to practice.

Who is the symposium intended for? For physicians, pharmacists, pharmaceutical technicians, dieticians, and nurses. In one word – to all of you who, as professionals, often encounter the following dilemmas: Can I advise my patients or clients who are facing specific problems on products containing probiotics and prebiotics? If so, which, and in what circumstances?

PROGRAM OF THE MEETING

Prof. Irena Rogelj, BSc: The intestinal microbiota - new insights

Prof. Mary Ellen Sanders (USA), PhD: Probiotics, health claims and EFSA

Prof. Rok Orel, MD, PhD: Probiotics and prebiotics in human milk and milk formulas

Assist. Jernej Brecelj, MD, MSc: The intestinal microbiota and metabolism

Prof. Rok Orel, MD, PhD: The problem of poor nutrition in children, the benefits of nutritional formulas with pre-and probiotics

Anja Radšel: Probiotics, prevention and treatment of acute gastroenteritis and travellers’ diarrhoea

Assist. Matjaz Homan, MD, PhD.: Prevention of diarrhoea associated to antibiotic treatment with probiotics

Prof. Rok Orel, MD, PhD: Can probiotics influence the general immunity of the organism?

Jeverica Anja Koren, MD: Prevention and treatment of allergic diseases by probiotics and prebiotics

Assist. Darja Urlep, MD, MSc: The role of gut microbiota in chronic inflammatory bowel disease and the possibility of its changing by enteral nutrition, pro and prebiotics

Prof. Rok Orel, MD, PhD: Functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal microbiota

The meeting will be concluded with a dinner and social event in the restaurant „Štorklja”, in close vicinity of the Pediatric Clinic.

During the meeting there will be an exhibition of Slovene manufacturers and representatives of foreign manufacturers of probiotics and prebiotics in the lobby of the Pediatric Clinic.

How to apply? By contacting Mrs. Mojca Lah (mojca.lah@entrapharm.com or +386 41 449 666).

There is no registration fee. The number of places is limited, so hurry up with your registration!

Sincerely,

prof. Rok Orel, M.D. Ph.D.

Director

Institute for probiotics and functional foods, Ltd