PROBIOTICS AND PREBIOTICS

Probiotic and prebiotic supplements may be used to restore the stability of the gut microbiome, especially in the elderly or after an antibiotic treatment, an infective bowel disease (gastroenterocolitis) or malnutrition. 

A probiotic is a supplement containing living bacteria, whereas a prebiotic is a supplement containing special olygosaccharides in the form of indigestible fibers (e.g. inulin) which works as nutritional substrate for bacteria. 

Therefore probiotics and prebiotics can be taken together, since the latter works as energy source for the first ones. Probiotics are for example the Bifidobacterium and the Lactobacillus, two bacteria of which presence is typically reduced in the gut of the elderly. Probiotics available on the market may contain both the Bifidobacterium and the Lactobacillus or only one of the two.

THE GUT MICROBIOME

What drives the development on gut microbiome? Which factors mainly influence its composition?

The microbiome is properly defined by all the genomes of the microorganisms which are living within the human body and on its surface. However, the term microbiome is also used to identify all the microorganisms themselves. The gut microbiota (which includes the the microorganisms living in the bowel, in the mouth and other parts of the digestive tract), the bacteria of the skin and the bacteria of the respiratory airways are examples of microorganisms belonging to the human microbiome.

Although it has been estimated that everyone of us harbors about 170 different species, it is known that the human microbiome includes more than 1000 species. It is therefore important to know how the microbiome is composed and how its development of influenced.