Author: O. V. Shvets, Synbiotic effects for correction of the intestinal microbiota composition and functions, Ukraine
The dynamic interaction between bowel microbiota with nervous and immune system and its effects on the key functions of digestive organs considerably depend on the external factors, including nutrition. Ration of most of the urban population is characterized by low level of dietary fibers due to limited intake of plant foods. The lack of dietary fibers leads to the changes in microbiota composition, decreased number of commensal bacteria, degradation of mucus layer and impaired barrier function. The regular consumption of high fibers foods and probiotic foods provides the optimal level of production of postbiotics (organic acids, short chain fatty acids, peptidoglycans, teichoic acids, flavonoids etc.) with numerous beneficial effects. Short chain fatty acids render an extremely wide range of effects, in particular, they increase calcium absorption, contribute to the decrease of appetite and stabilization of blood cholesterol levels; they serve as a source of nutrition for the colonocytes’ epithelium and provide immunomodulating, anti‑inflammatory and desensibilization effects. The aggregate actions from regular probiotics’ and prebiotics’ intake include the creating of conditions for the increase of the number of bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and other commensals with simultaneous inhibition of pathogens’ colonization in the large bowel. Moreover, the prebiotic molecule inulin prevents disruption of the intestinal barrier due to intake of xenobiotics’ nanoparticles, in particular, titanium dioxide. The intake of dietary supplements, that include both prebiotics and probiotics (synbiotics), allow restoring the impaired intestinal barrier function, preventing antibiotic‑associated diarrhea and side effects of antihelicobacter therapy, it facilitates the normalization of bowel functions and relief of functional symptoms.
Keywords: microbiota, nutrition, dietary supplement, inulin, fibers, synbiotics