The gut microbiome is commonly referred to as the cornerstone of health because it significantly influences many aspects of human health. A very powerful way to support overall health is to focus on maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
Probiotics and prebiotics are excellent options for microbiome support, offering potential benefits for gut health and overall well-being. This article will cover what probiotics and prebiotics are, what the gut microbiome is and how it influences gut health, how prebiotics and probiotics work together to support health, how to test gut health, and how to use prebiotics and probiotics to support gut health.
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What are Probiotics?
Probiotics are living microorganisms that may benefit human health when adequate amounts are taken. These beneficial bacteria and yeast are present in your body naturally as part of your gut microbiome, which is the trillions of microorganisms that naturally live in your gut. Your microbiome also contains harmful microbes, so supporting the populations of good bacteria in the gut with probiotic supplements can help maintain a balance of microorganisms.
There are many different types of probiotic strains that may provide health benefits. The most commonly utilized species of bacteria are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Specific strains of Bifidobacterium widely used for their potential benefits include B. animalis, B. breve, and B. longum. Specific strains of Lactobacillus commonly used for their potential benefits include L. acidophilus, L. plantarum, and L. rhamnosus. Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) is a specific strain of beneficial yeast with potential health benefits.
Probiotics may support gut health in many ways. Probiotics can help maintain the balance of the gut microbiota by supporting colonization of the intestines with strains of good bacteria and yeast, potentially reducing strains of pathogenic bacteria, and supporting stability in the balance of microorganisms. Probiotics may help keep strains of pathogenic bacteria in check by competing for adhering sites on the epithelial surface of the intestines and by competing for nutrients.
Probiotics may support the function of the intestinal barrier. The gut barrier functions as a crucial line of defense to help keep the intestinal environment in a state of homeostasis or balance. Probiotics may modulate the intestinal epithelial cells and the tight junctions between these cells to help maintain the integrity of the gut barrier. Studies show probiotics may help regulate and restore the mucus layer of the gut barrier to support healthy function.
The ability to modulate the immune system is another potential function of probiotics. The intestinal epithelial mucosa contains immune cells and substances that may support the immune function of the gut barrier. Among these substances includes an immunoglobulin called Secretory IgA (SIgA), which aids in the immune defense mechanism of the gut. Probiotics may support the production of SIgA, potentially improving mucosal and systemic immunity. Probiotics may also influence immune cells and cytokines to support immune function.
Another way probiotics may help manage pathogenic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract is by releasing bioactive compounds, also called postbiotics. Postbiotics include bacterial metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), functional proteins, microbial cell fractions, and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS). These substances may help manage inflammation and support gastrointestinal health.
What are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are substances consumed by host microbiota that may produce a health benefit. In other words, prebiotics are essentially food for probiotic microorganisms and may have a positive impact on health.
To be classified as a prebiotic, a nutrient must be resistant to digestion and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract; able to withstand the acidic pH of the stomach; able to be fermented by the gut microbiota; and able to impact the growth and function of the gut microbiota to potentially impact health positively.
There are various types of prebiotics, which include fibrous carbohydrates, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inulin, resistant starch, galactooligosaccharides (GOS), pectin, fructans, lactulose, polydextrose, arabino-oligosaccharides, beta-glucans, xylooligosaccharides, guar gum, and polyphenols.
Prebiotics may support gut health in several ways. They may promote the growth and function of probiotic microorganisms in the gut. These substances are fermented by bacteria in the gut to produce SCFAs, which are essential for overall gut health. They may help regulate the pH in the gut, increase mineral absorption, support glucose and protein metabolism, have anti-inflammatory effects, and improve microbial diversity.
The Gut Microbiome and Gut Health
The trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms in our gastrointestinal system are collectively known as the gut microbiome, also called the gut microbiota or gut flora. A healthy gut microbiome is crucial for supporting human health.
The gut microbiome may impact gastrointestinal health in many ways. It may help modulate the function and integrity of the gut barrier, produce various nutrients, protect against pathogens, and regulate inflammation.
Research is continually showing new ways in which the gut microbiome is involved in many aspects of human health. In addition to gut health, the microbiome influences metabolic pathways, cardiovascular health, inflammatory markers, hormone regulation, nervous system activity, neurotransmitter production, and immune function.
Imbalances in the gut microbiome, referred to as dysbiosis, may contribute to a decline in gut health and many chronic health conditions. Dysbiosis is characterized by an overgrowth of harmful microorganisms, reduced numbers of beneficial microorganisms, and decreased types or species of beneficial microorganisms (known as microbiome diversity).
Dysbiosis may cause an increase in permeability of the gut lining (also called 'leaky gut'), gut inflammation, and increased susceptibility to gut infections. Dysbiosis may increase the risk for gut-related conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and food allergies or sensitivities, as well as gut-related symptoms like diarrhea, constipation, acid reflux, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.
In a nutshell, a healthy gut microbiome may help maintain overall health, and imbalances in the gut microbiome may lead to gut health issues and a breakdown of overall health and well-being.
Synergistic Effects of Probiotics and Prebiotics
When prebiotics and probiotics are combined, they may have a synergistic effect to support health and are referred to as synbiotics.
The combined benefits of synbiotics may include enhancing the viability of probiotics by supporting the survival and implantation of beneficial bacteria in the gut. They may stimulate the growth of beneficial microbes, helping to regulate the balance of microorganisms in the microbiota. They may also increase the production of beneficial metabolites, such as SCFAs, to support overall gut health.
Using a Comprehensive Stool Test to Test for Gut Health and Bacteria
Comprehensive stool tests provide in-depth insight into the health and function of the gastrointestinal system and gut microbiome.
These tests evaluate markers of digestion and absorption to provide insight into how well you are digesting and absorbing your food. They test inflammation and immune function markers to determine whether inflammatory processes or immune activation are factors in your current health condition. When a protein called zonulin is added to a stool test, it can indicate whether an increase in intestinal permeability is present, also known as "leaky gut."
A comprehensive stool analysis also assesses the health of your microbiome by testing for the abundance of beneficial and pathogenic microorganisms and the diversity of microorganisms that are present.
Stool tests may help individualize approaches by determining what aspect of gut health is experiencing a breakdown, which allows practitioners to target the problematic factors. The information provided in these tests can help practitioners decide which supportive agents may be most helpful. For example, if your stool test indicates low levels of SIgA, your provider may suggest saccharomyces boulardii as your probiotic due to its potential to support SIgA production.
Certain stool tests, such as the Genova Diagnostics GI Effects Comprehensive Profile, can help further individualize approaches with microbial sensitivity testing, which tests any pathogens present in the sample against various pharmacological and natural agents to determine which compounds may be most effective in managing the pathogen.
Application of Probiotics and Prebiotics for Gut Health
Prebiotics and probiotics can be utilized in various ways to support your gut health. You can focus on dietary sources of prebiotics and probiotics to support your microbiome, or you can take them in supplement form.
Food Sources of Probiotics
To get more probiotics in your diet, consider foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi, tempeh, vinegar, and other fermented vegetables, fish, and legumes.
Food Sources of Prebiotics
Foods that contain prebiotic substances include tomatoes, asparagus, garlic, onions, artichokes, chicory, leafy green veggies, berries, legumes, oats, cooked and cooled rice and potatoes, green bananas, plantains, cashews, quinoa, seeds, tea, and cocoa.
Probiotic and Prebiotic Supplements
Probiotic and prebiotic supplements can complement a gut-healthy diet, but choosing the right supplement is essential.
When it comes to prebiotics, the most common are fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and trans-galactic-oligosaccharides (TOS). Inulin is another common prebiotic used in food and supplement forms.
The effectiveness of a probiotic may depend on the strains that it contains. Probiotics with Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus species of bacteria may support the immune system, improve digestive function, help maintain a balance of microorganisms, and assist in breaking down lactose (the sugar that's found in milk). Let's break it down and talk about three specific strains of probiotics and their potential benefits.
Bifidobacterium longum
B. longum is one of the most abundant strains of probiotics in the gut. It may help protect and support the gut barrier function, reduce inflammation, support immune balance, have antioxidant activity, help break down carbohydrates, and restore balance to the microbiota.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
LGG, as it is often abbreviated, is one of the most widely studied probiotic strains. It is known for potentially inhibiting pathogenic strains of bacteria, supporting the immune system, and improving the integrity of the gut lining. It's often used to support symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. It's commonly used to help manage symptoms of gut infections, support periodontal health, and improve the gut microbiome in people with ulcerative colitis.
Saccharomyces boulardii
S. boulardii is a strain of yeast with several potential health benefits. As we touched on earlier, it may support the production of SIgA to aid immune defense. It also has the benefit of being resistant to most antibiotics, making it an excellent choice for anyone who takes antibiotics, as it may help manage diarrhea that often results from these medications. It can also help reduce or manage diarrhea associated with other gut concerns.
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Summary
Probiotics and prebiotics are supportive tools that may help modulate the gut microbiome to positively impact gut health and whole-body well-being. Comprehensive stool testing can help your integrative medicine practitioner identify what aspect of your gut health and microbiome may need support and provide targeted recommendations.
Probiotics and prebiotics are present in various foods and can also be taken in supplement form to potentially influence your gut microbiome and health. If you're wondering whether probiotics or prebiotics can help you, talk to your integrative medicine practitioner today!
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