Strengthening the immune system

"Synbiotics serve to promote the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria in the intestine and strengthen the immune system."

Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology "Probiotic/Synbiotic Treatment and Postoperative Complications in Colorectal Cancer Patients ...", December 2020, in cooperation with the German Cancer Research Center/Deutsche Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ).

Added value of synbiotics

The results of the systematic review showed that administration of probiotics/synbiotics to colorectal cancer patients before, during, and after surgery was associated with lower incidence of infection, lower incidence of diarrhea, faster return to normal bowel function, shorter postoperative antibiotic use, lower incidence of septicemia or generalized organism infection, and shorter length of hospital stay. The results support the hypothesis that short-term perioperative administration of probiotics/synbiotics, which are easy to administer, have few side effects, and are inexpensive compared with alternatives, may help reduce gastrointestinal symptoms and postoperative complications in colorectal cancer patients.

Prevention and effect on pathogens

"Fiber-induced microbial changes [...] have a significant impact on the immune system and thus on the prevention and treatment of disease."

British Journal of Pharmacology, “Microbiota-dependent and -independent effects of dietary fibre on human health“, March 2020, in cooperation with Dermatological Allergology, Allergie-Centrum-Charité, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Charité -Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin

Importance of dietary fiber for health

Dietary fiber promotes beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Bifidobacteria and lactobacilli have been shown to compete directly with pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria, but can also stimulate the intestinal barrier and immune and brain function. These dietary fibers not only stimulate beneficial bacteria, but also directly affect pathogens by: a) inhibiting their growth, b) reversing their damaging effect on healthy cells, c) inhibiting pathogen-induced toxin production. A significant portion of these potential health benefits are related to the production of microbial metabolites from dietary fiber, including SCFAs (short chain fatty acids).

Irritable bowel syndrome

"Significant reduction in IBS symptoms with probiotics."

The American Journal of Gastroenterology, "American College of Gastroenterology Monograph on the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Chronic ldiopathic Constipation": August 2014, in cooperation with Houston Methodist Hospital and Weil/ Cornell Medical College, Houston/Texas, USA

„Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Certain probiotics have been shown to relieve symptoms of IBS and improve quality of life in IBS patients.“

A guideline and meta-analysis involving children and adults with IBS found that probiotics significantly improved IBS symptoms such as bloating and flatulence.

Regeneration after antibiotic treatment

"The duration of taking antibiotics can be shortened. The intestinal flora attacked by antibiotics can regenerate more quickly."

Nature Microbiology, "Probiotics impact the antibiotic resistance gene reservoir along the human GI tract in a person-specific and antibiotic-dependent manner", August 2021, in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Deutschen Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg und der Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41564-021-00920-0

Probiotics and their influence on upper respiratory tract infections

"Probiotics have been shown to have a beneficial effect on reducing the severity and duration of upper respiratory tract infections, particularly respiratory syncytial virus (RS virus), COVID-19, and influenza (flu)."

Shi, H.Y., Zhu, X., Li, W.L. et al. Modulation of gut microbiota protects against viral respiratory tract infections: a systematic review of animal and clinical studies. Eur J Nutr 60, 4151–4174 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-021-02519-x

Nature Portfolio Journal, “Gut microbiome dysbiosis during COVID-19 is associated with increased risk for … microbial translocation“, July 2021, Yale University and New York University Grossman School of Medicine. ttps://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-726620/v1

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the face of biology, social interaction, and public health worldwide. It has had devastating effects on millions of people worldwide. New evidence suggests a link between infection and the status of the gut microbiome. This is one of several factors that may contribute to the severity of infection. Given that the gut is strongly linked to immunity, inflammatory status, and the ability to fight pathogens, it is worth considering dietary intervention in the gut microbiota as a means of potentially influencing viral outcomes. In this context, probiotics and prebiotics have been used to mitigate similar respiratory infections.

For the promotion of psychological well-being

"A microbiome-based, holistic approach that includes careful assessment of the microbiome and potential modification through diet, probiotics, and lifestyle changes can counteract depression."

Frontiers in Nutrition, “A Microbiome-Driven Approach to Combating Depression During the COVID-19 Pandemic“, August 2021, in Cooperation with University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.672390

Psyche and resilience

"Feel good" even in the pandemic: In times of COVID-19, many people complain of a poor state of mind. Specially tailored probiotic mixtures support mental well-being by supporting the normal functioning of the brain and psyche, thereby increasing resilience. The mechanism of action is based on targeting the gut-brain axis.

Allergies and skin diseases

"Microbiome as a therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases such as allergies and skin diseases."

Frontiers in Immunology, "Microbiome and Allergic Diseases", July 2018, in cooperation with Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2018.01584

Allergic diseases such as respiratory, skin and food allergies have dramatically increased in prevalence over the last decades. Recent research confirms a central role of the microbiome, which is strongly influenced by multiple environmental and nutritional factors.

Bacterial dysbiosis is associated with chronic inflammatory diseases of the skin such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Thus, the microbiome is an important therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as allergies.
Despite some limitations, interventions with probiotics, prebiotics and/or synbiotics seem promising for the development of preventive therapy by restoring altered microbiome function or as an adjunct in specific immunotherapy.

Anibiotic-associated diarrhea

"Probiotics reduce risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea."

Goldenberg JZ, Yap C, Lytvyn L, Lo CKF, Beardsley J, Mertz D, Johnston BC, "Probiotics for the prevention of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in adults and children.", December 2017, in collaboration with Bastyr University Research Institute, Kenmore, USA.

"Clinical trials with various probiotic preparations suggest a beneficial effect of certain probiotics in reducing new onset as well as disease severity of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea and AAD."

Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD): Although antibiotics are essential for the treatment of bacterial infections, they can also disrupt the beneficial bacterial community in the gastrointestinal tract. By disrupting the gut microbiota, the occurrence of secondary infections caused by opportunistic pathogens such as Clostridium difficile is a feared complication in hospitalized older adults.