Dr Neena Sharma
Hippocrates quotes “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”, which we must understand in the world of rising diseases in our society. As Antony van Leeuwenhoek was first person to report the existence of microorganisms and their association with humans at the end of the 17th century. Later, Elie Metchnikoff believed that lactic acid producing bacteria in sour milk and yogurt could mitigate infectious process and can be harnessed to treat variety of diseases. After these discoveries, in early 1900s it was found that the “microbiota” is the collection of all microbes such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses that naturally live in human body.The major sites of human microbiota composition are oral cavity, respiratory tract, skin, gut, and vagina.
Many of the microbiome live in symbiotic relationship with human body benefitting from each other. Disturbance with these microbiome and dysbiosis, results in variety of chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, cancers, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, anxiety and depression.In this article,we have explained the functions of microbiome in human health and diseases. Additionally, we have highlighted the health benefits of prebiotics and probiotics.
“Healthy” gut microbiota
The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract contains huge microbial community which Is about ~100 trillion microorganisms. The gut microbiota has a multidirectional connection with other organs which play a pivotal role in neuroendocrinal, immunological and metabolic pathways.The important gut flora includes Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Saccharomycesboulardii.In a healthy gut, the microbiota provides stability, resilience, and symbiotic interaction with the host.
Probiotics
Probiotics are defined as live non-microorganisms which when administered in adequate amount confers health benefit in the host. Probiotics are beneficial for digestive health because of their role to maintain gut microbiome, mental health and immune function. Currently strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are available for human use to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) infections.
Benefits of Probiotics
- Improved digestive health – Aids in digestion, reducesgastrointestinal discomfort and constipation, functional abdominal pain, infant colic, antibiotic associated diarrhea and maintain remission in Inflammatory bowel disease such as rohn’s disease.
- Infectious diarrhoea – used in treatment of diarrhea caused by Rotavirus, C. difficle and Traveller’s diarrhoea.
- Helicobacter pylori infection and Peptic ulcer – Probiotic bacteria are antagonistic to H. pylori.Lactobacillus salivarius has been shown to inhibit the attachment of H. pylori in vitro.
- Mental health – Research have demonstrated the benefit of Probiotics for mental health, due to two-way communication between gut and brain known as Gut – Brain axis. The healthy gut causes improved mental health and wellness therefore gut is also called “second brain” as it produces neurotransmitters namely serotonin and dopamine reducing the symptoms of depression.
- Allergy – A randomized controlled study reported resolution of eczema in breast fed infants because of increased production ofanti-inflammatorymediators.
- Strengthens Immune system – Probiotics enhance immune response against the pathogens by increasing various chemical mediators of inflammation.
- General health – Probiotics decrease the need for the antibiotics and cause overall improved Health and wellness.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates mainly fibres which our body can’t process and promote the growth of Probiotics. Commonly known prebiotics are oligofructose,inulin, lactulose and breast milk oligosaccharides. These compounds nourish the gut microbiome, are essential for bacterial survivaland are neither digested nor assimilated by the body but are fermented by the colonic bacteria to produce short chain fatty acids (SCFA). SCFA play a role inelectrolyte absorption in colon, shorten gastrointestinal transit time, stimulate growth ofBifidobacteria,protect against colorectalcancer, andinfectiouscolitis. The extent of physiological effects varies due to factors including baseline gut microbiome and diet.
Benefits of Prebiotics
Improves digestive health by softening stools and reducing constipation, boosts the immune system by increasing production of white blood cells, reduces the risk of digestive diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer and helps in calcium absorption.
Sources of Probiotics
Synthetic Probiotic products may contain single strain or mixture of two or more strains of bacteria.Description of synthetic probiotic should include strain designation, viable count of strain at the end of shelf-life, storage conditions, recommended dose and physiological effects.Synbioticscombine both probiotics and prebiotics sold as food or supplements and combinations are Lactobacillus and Lactitol, Bifidobacteria and Fructooligosaccharides.
Sources of Prebiotics
Take Home Message
One should include fermented and high-fibre foods in the diet for overall health and well-being.In case of digestive problems, synthetic symbiotic combination of Probiotics and Prebiotics are advisable after medical consultation.
(The author is Associate Professor, Department of Physiology, AIIMS Jammu).