In nutraceutical science, the term synbiotics refers to the combination of probiotics and prebiotics. This mixture allows the development of integrated products that deliver the benefits of probiotic bacteria while ensuring their survival in the gut by providing an optimal substrate.
The World Health Organization and FAO defined probiotics as “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”.
Later, in 2013, the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) reaffirmed this definition. In 2016, ISAPP further defined synbiotics as “a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit”.
Synbiotics combine the effects of probiotics and prebiotics, making it essential to understand each component.
Probiotics are commonly found in dietary supplements and functional foods. Their effects depend on the strain and condition treated.
Evidence-supported benefits include:
Common prebiotics include inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS), and galactooligosaccharides (GOS).
Their effects include:
Additional benefits:
About 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, making microbiota essential for immune regulation.
Synbiotics act by:
These mechanisms support both local and systemic immunity.
Gut microbiota development is influenced by:
Antibiotics can disrupt microbial balance, affecting both harmful and beneficial bacteria.
Synbiotics are typically formulated as functional foods or dietary supplements combining prebiotics and probiotics tailored to specific conditions.
Effectiveness depends on:
Poor results are often due to incorrect strain selection, lack of evidence, or insufficient dosage.
Synbiotics represent an advanced approach in nutraceuticals by combining probiotics and prebiotics into a single formulation.
Their success relies on scientific formulation, appropriate strain selection, and proper dosing, ensuring real benefits in disease prevention and management.
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