TY - JOUR
T1 - Prebiotics and synbiotics
T2 - Dietary strategies for improving gut health
AU - Krumbeck, Janina A.
AU - Maldonado-Gomez, Maria X.
AU - Ramer-Tait, Amanda E.
AU - Hutkins, Robert W.
PY - 2016/3/1
Y1 - 2016/3/1
N2 - Purpose of review A wide range of dietary carbohydrates, including prebiotic food ingredients, fermentable fibers, and milk oligosaccharides, are able to produce significant changes in the intestinal microbiota. These shifts in the microbial community are often characterized by increased levels of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. More recent studies have revealed that species of Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia, and other less well studied members may also be enriched. We review the implications of these recent studies on future design of prebiotics and synbiotics to promote gastrointestinal health. Recent findings Investigations assessing the clinical outcomes associated with dietary modification of the gut microbiota have shown systemic as well as specific health benefits. Both prebiotic oligosaccharides comprised of a linear arrangement of simple sugars, as well as fiber-rich foods containing complex carbohydrates, have been used in these trials. However, individual variability and nonresponding study participants can make the outcome of dietary interventions less predictable. In contrast, synergistic synbiotics containing prebiotics that specifically stimulate a cognate probiotic provide additional options for personalized gut therapies. Summary This review describes recent research on how prebiotics and fermentable fibers can influence the gut microbiota and result in improvements to human health.
AB - Purpose of review A wide range of dietary carbohydrates, including prebiotic food ingredients, fermentable fibers, and milk oligosaccharides, are able to produce significant changes in the intestinal microbiota. These shifts in the microbial community are often characterized by increased levels of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. More recent studies have revealed that species of Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia, and other less well studied members may also be enriched. We review the implications of these recent studies on future design of prebiotics and synbiotics to promote gastrointestinal health. Recent findings Investigations assessing the clinical outcomes associated with dietary modification of the gut microbiota have shown systemic as well as specific health benefits. Both prebiotic oligosaccharides comprised of a linear arrangement of simple sugars, as well as fiber-rich foods containing complex carbohydrates, have been used in these trials. However, individual variability and nonresponding study participants can make the outcome of dietary interventions less predictable. In contrast, synergistic synbiotics containing prebiotics that specifically stimulate a cognate probiotic provide additional options for personalized gut therapies. Summary This review describes recent research on how prebiotics and fermentable fibers can influence the gut microbiota and result in improvements to human health.
KW - fiber
KW - gut microbiota
KW - oligosaccharides
KW - prebiotics
KW - probiotics
KW - synbiotics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84956929903&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000249
DO - 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000249
M3 - Review article
C2 - 26825589
AN - SCOPUS:84956929903
VL - 32
SP - 110
EP - 119
JO - Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
JF - Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
SN - 0267-1379
IS - 2
ER -