Gut Health

The microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms, including bacteria, that are present in different areas of our body, such as our gut. Our gut is home to the largest collection of immune cells in the body so the gut microbiome is important for our immune system.

No, the microbiome composition differs from person to person. Your microbiome is unique to you. In fact, your microbiome is influenced by diet, stress, overall health, genetics, and the environment.

Diet exerts a major influence upon the gut microbiome. A significant part of the European population eats a so-called “western diet”, which refers to a high intake of saturated fats and sugar accompanied by a low intake of fiber. This represents a growing health problem, as it increases the risk of metabolic diseases, including diabetes and obesity. An unhealthy lifestyle accompanied by the western diet can not only increase the risk of certain diseases but may also negatively impact the gut microbiome.

Yes! In fact, most of our immune cells live in the gut and are constantly looking for any “foreign substances”. The interaction between our microbiome and the immune cells in the gut is crucial for the immune system to function properly.

An unhealthy microbiome, known as dysbiosis, may develop because of several factors such as stress, poor diet, antibiotic use and diseases. Dysbiosis is thought to contribute to various diseases including: 

  • Extra weight and obesity
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Depression
  • Allergies
  • Gut disorders e.g., irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), etc

The composition of a “healthy” gut microbiome has not yet been uncovered. However, it is known that microorganisms (microscopic sized organisms e.g. bacteria) are important to human health. The role that microorganisms play in maintaining our health remains to be fully determined. 

Researchers have noted patterns in the composition of microorganisms in people with different diseases compared to healthy controls. However, it should be noted that a causal relationship has not been confirmed. An unbalanced microbiome (referred to as ‘dysbiosis’), has been identified in several conditions, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 1 diabetes, asthma, and allergies, etc.

Our modern-day diet may not provide us with 100% of the necessary micronutrients needed to have a healthy microbiome in some cases. In Europe, studies suggest there is substantial variability in micronutrient intake, particularly in the consumption of vitamins D and E, iron, iodine, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and zinc. This varies between the sexes, amongst different population groups, and countries. For example, vitamin D levels were found to be below the recommended concentrations in 40-45% of the general German population. The risk of low intake varies according to age. Additionally, individuals who are sick or recovering from an illness may have increased needs for certain micronutrients that are difficult to meet through their regular diet.

Probiotics, prebiotics, 
or synbiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide a health benefit to your body when they are taken in adequate amounts. They can support your health in various ways, such as contributing digestive function, maintaining the body’s natural immune defenses, keeping harmful microorganisms at bay, producing vitamins, and helping nutrient absorption, etc. Additionally, some probiotics may help reduce certain conditions, like antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and digestive problems.

Prebiotics are substances that are used by our body’s microorganisms, providing a health benefit. They stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut and support digestive function.

Synbiotics contain both probiotics and prebiotics to provide a benefit to your overall health and wellbeing.

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are all different substances. A probiotic is a live microbe, and a prebiotic is a type of “food” (or substrate) for live microbes that are “good”, or beneficial, for our health. It is impossible to say which one is better, as probiotics and prebiotics can complement each other. Therefore, the synbiotic is attractive, as it combines the advantages of both probiotics and prebiotics.

Yes, consumption of prebiotics has been shown to increase your body’s “good”, or beneficial, bacteria.

In general, the human digestion system can not digest prebiotics. This allows prebiotics to move through the gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, they are able to enter the large intestine unchanged, where they are broken down by their own intestinal microorganisms within the microbiome and selectively fermented to form certain secondary by-products.

The main effect of prebiotics is to selectively stimulate the growth of specific bacteria, called Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, in the gut and therefore increase the body's natural resistance to invading disease-causing organisms.

Probiotics (probiotic live microorganisms) have numerous advantageous functions within the human body. Their main advantage is the effect on developing the microbiota within the gastrointestinal tract, which are necessary for the normal functioning of various human processes. However, they also have the following beneficial effects:

  • Contribution to restore the natural microbiota post antibiotic therapy
  • Counteracting the activity of disease-causing bacteria introduced in to our body from contaminated food and other environmental factors
  • Probiotics are natural producers of B group vitamins
  • Increase the efficiency of the immune system, enhance the absorption of vitamins and mineral compounds, stimulate the generation of organic acids and amino acid
  • Maybe able to produce enzymes and co-enzymes (proteins that speed up chemical reactions)

Yes, probiotics may help boost mood and cognitive function. Research shows that the gut and brain are connected, a partnership called the “gut-brain axis”. The ways that the human microbiota (and probiotics) and the human nervous system may interact together are complex and not fully understood.

The first point of contact between the gut microbiota and our body’s nervous system is likely via the enteric nervous system (ENS), sometimes called the “second brain”, which governs the function of our gastrointestinal tract. Through the ENS, the gut microbiota and the brain communicate bidirectionally through two different ‘neural’ and ‘humoral’ pathways.

The gut produces many of the same chemical messengers as the brain does, such as serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid, all of which play a key role in regulating mood. Some research has found that probiotics may help boost mood and cognitive function and lower stress and anxiety.

Antibiotics work by blocking vital processes within bacterial cells, hence killing the bacteria, or stopping them from spreading. Probiotic microorganisms are also susceptible to the negative effects of antibiotics. Therefore, if you want to take antibiotics and probiotics, make sure you take them at least 2 hours apart. Supplementing with probiotics during and after the antibiotic treatment period will support and maintain a healthy and balanced gut microbiome.

Different types of bacteria normally live in harmonious balance within our microbiome. However, when this balance is disrupted, supplementing with probiotics helps to recolonize the digestive tract with "good” bacteria, allowing us to maintain our overall health and wellbeing.

Our microbiome can become unbalanced due to a lack of sleep, antibiotics, stress, travel, poor diet or diseases. Along with a healthy lifestyle, consisting of a balanced diet and exercise, probiotics can support the gut with the “good” bacteria it needs to maintain our microbiome.

It is easy to assume that probiotics should only be taken when you’re feeling out of sorts, e.g., when you’re overly stressed or feeling run down. However, daily prebiotic supplementation can be beneficial to support your long-term overall health.

When first using probiotics, some people may experience meteorism (flatulence). Changes in the gut microbiota can result in bacteria producing more gas than usual, which can lead to flatulence. However, these effects usually clear up within a few days.

If your question has not been answered here, please contact our Customer Service Centre.