There are many studies not only about Microbiome but about gut health and the Brain-Gut Axis. About Prebiotics, Probiotics. Postbiotics and now Synbiotics.
Lets take a look at what these are, how they affect us and why they are important to us.
| Microbiome | Refers to the group of microbes, or 1,000 bacterial species, that live in your body. This bacteria helps with digestion, destroys harmful bacteria and helps control your immune system. |
| Prebiotics | Are nutrients mainly fibers and natural sugars that stimulate the good bacteria in the gut. Prebiotics help beneficial bacteria grow in the gut. This allows your gut bacteria to produce nutrients for your colon cells, which leads to a healthier digestive system. However, Prebiotics should not be confused with Probiotics. |
| Probiotics | Are live microorganisms that are intended to have health benefits when consumed or applied to the body. They can be found in yogurt and other fermented foods, dietary supplements, and beauty products. These are the healthy bacteria that live inside your gut and support your health. Many people think of bacteria as harmful however many are actually helpful. Prebiotics and probiotics have gained a lot of attention for improving gut health. There is another group called Postbiotics which are another group of beneficial compounds that can improve your health. |
| Postbiotics | Are the bioactive compounds the probiotic bacteria produce when they consume prebiotics. Although these compounds are considered the waste products of probiotic bacterial, they offer various health benefits to your body, including the gut and your immune system. Now with new technology we have Synbiotics. A combination of pre, pro and post biotics. |
| Synbiotics | Are a mixture of live microorganisms and substrate selectively utilized by host microorganisms, that confer a health benefit on the host. What this means is this can benefit the health of your body by supporting digestive health, enhancing immune function, improving mental health, boosting weight loss, promoting heart health and decreasing inflammation. |
We now realise that gut health is important from a very early age and even some of the largest infant formula manufacturers are now starting to include a synbiotic ingredient in their formulation.
