THE ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANTS
IN PREVENTING AND REVERSING
THE AGING PROCESS
SYNERGISM BETWEEN
PROBIOTIC AND ANTIOXIDANTS

Maya Surjadjaja

Sub Department of Clinical Nutrition, Dr Mintoharjo Naval Hospital-Jakarta;
Gracia Patricia Clinic

Abstract
     The increasing interest in healthy lifestyle could not be separated from a healthy diet. Dietary strategy is effective in managing many chronic diseases such as cardio vascular, metabolic diseases and gastro intestinal symptoms. Nutrients including antioxidants are necessary for maintaining the gut health. Although humans are naturally equipped with the antioxidants defense and repair system these are unfortunately not effective enough  to eliminate the negative impacts of  Reactive Oxygen species (ROS) in the aging process.
     This healthy diet life style initiated the food and pharmaceutical industry to develop products that help our natural immune and anti oxidative defense system. According to a study conducted by Ito and Sawada from Japan, oral administration of bifidobacteria for 2 weeks  for example could significantly decreased the level of lipid peroxide in the colonic mucosa of iron overloaded mice. Lactic acid bacteria was proven to be anti oxidative and posses probiotic effects according to a research conducted by Side and Gilliland from Oklahoma State University. Consumption of foods containing lactic acid bacteria may contribute the health effects associated with dietary antioxidants. Multistrain bacteria (Bifidobacteria and Lactobacullus) in a probiotic supplement increase the antioxidative effect. Synbiotic which is as a combination of encapsulated probiotic within a prebiotic  (Fructo oligosaccharides) coating is another approach to enhance the delivery, to create an ecological balance between pro-health and anti-health organism and added up to a better antioksidants status.
     The health potentials from the clinical point of view includes  mildering of gastro intestinal infections, reduction of serum cholesterol, stimulation of immunity, anti carcinogenicity, management of allergic diseases and longevity.