Wellness Foods + Supplements 1/2022

Microbiome
It is now a generally accepted consensus that changes in the composition
of our microbiome are associated with numerous diseases. This
means that altering and enriching the microbiome can be used to
maintain health and treat diseases. In particular, the gut microbiota
critically intervenes in metabolism, immune system maturation, and
the function of the central nervous system. This makes the microbiome
a critical organ that influences the entire body.
Gut Health 2.0 goes beyond digestion. Instead, it takes a holistic
approach to health. Current research topics such as gut-immunity
axis, gut-brain axis, gut-skin axis or gut-heart axis show the almost allencompassing
significance of the human gut microbiome for human
health. Axes represent the connections between the gut and individual
human organs.
An increasing number of studies demonstrate the incredible potential
of the microbiome for various bodily functions. For example, it is
now well established that a healthy microbiome is directly related to
the skin’s health. As a multifunctional organ, it requires many micronutrients
that are absorbed through the gut. Similarly, a dysfunctional
microbiome is often closely related to metabolic diseases such as
type 2 diabetes mellitus 2 .
The microbiome also regulates the fitness of the immune system 3 .
Healthy ageing and a longer life are also linked to the microbiome.
A recent study 4 carried out in the United States shows that a high
level of uniqueness and diversity of the microbiome is associated with
increased survival. The microbiome-gut-brain axis takes on particular
importance in studies. It is becoming clear that the composition and
metabolism of the microbiome not only exert an important influence
on mental disorders but also affect weight regulation.
GUT-BRAIN AXIS
GUT MICRO-
BIOTA
G U T - S K
HPA
GUT-
BRAIN-
SKIN
AXIS
I N
BRAIN-SKIN AXIS
A X I S
PSORIASIS
Even fitness and musculature are closely linked to the microbiome.
For example, Swedish researchers 5 from the Karolinska Institute in
Stockholm discovered in mice experiments that gut bacteria strongly
influence normal skeletal muscle function. In any case, a holistic
view of the body is essential for maintaining and improving health.
The latest scientific findings show that a
well-functioning, diverse microbiome has a
central role as a control instrument for many
aspects of the human body.
Prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics,
and postbiotics:
the supporters of the microbiome
When something is as essential as the microbiome,
we should do everything we can to
keep it in good shape. Fortunately, the
digestive system comprises several built-in
supporters for this:
Probiotics – the viable microorganisms that
multiply in the gut and, in sufficient quantities,
impart health benefits to the host.
Prebiotics – the non-digestible food components
that boost growth and activity of ba
cteria in the colon. They also block the
binding of harmful bacteria.
Synbiotics – a combination of probiotics and
prebiotics that synergistically combines the
benefits of both.
Postbiotics – byproducts of the fermentation
process. These are soluble factors secreted
by live bacteria or released after bacterial
lysis and provide physiological benefits to the
host. However, for many scientists, the definition
of postbiotics was not clear enough. In
2021, seeking clarity on what qualifies as a
postbiotic, a panel of experts at the International
Scientific Association of Probiotics and
Prebiotics (ISAPP) sought a new definition 6 .
They defined a postbiotic as a “preparation
of inanimate microorganisms and/or their
components that confers a health benefit on
the host”.
Prebiotics – much more than
a trendy product
The demand for advanced prebiotics that
have no side effects and are intended
to support specific areas in the body is
increasing permanently. Certain prebiotics
are particularly beneficial for the microbiome.
They target particular bacteria, which
produce a high amount of short-chain fatty
acids. SCFAs do not have to be modified
during digestion and absorbed directly by the
body. According to current research, shortchain
fatty acids serve as “food”, especially
16 No. 1 April/May 2022