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right combination. First, one should determine the specific properties that a prebiotic
will require to be beneficial to the probiotic, then select the prebiotic accordingly.
Therefore, an appropriate probiotic and prebiotic should be selected while composing a synbiotic formula; then the prebiotic used should have an enhancing role on
the probiotic microorganisms; and the prebiotic should particularly augment the
growth of microorganisms in probiotics.
10.4.2 Mechanism of Action
Synbiotics act in two ways: (1) by augmenting the ability of probiotics; and (2) by
providing defined benefits for health. When a prebiotic is added to a probiotic, it
stimulates the probiotics and results in the regulation of the metabolic activity in the
intestine. This is manifested by an intact intestinal biostructure, proliferation of the
beneficial microbiota, and the inability of the potential pathogens to grow in the
gastrointestinal tract. Synbiotics also cause the lowering of the amount of undesirable metabolites, as well as the inactivation of nitrosamines and cancerogenic substances. Synbiotics also significantly cause levels of short-chain fatty acids, ketones,
carbon disulphides, and methyl acetates to drop which is good for one’s health.
These products act against the decay processes in the intestine and prevent constipation and diarrhoea.
10.4.3 Therapeutic Actions
Synbiotics have many beneficial effects for humans such as acting as antimicrobials
in pyogenic inflammation and anticancerous, anti-allergenic, antidiarrhoeal activities. They can also be used for prevention of osteoporosis and reduction of fat in
serum and sugar in blood; for improving immunomodulative ability like immune
system regulation and brain functions; reduce nosocomial infections after a postoperative procedure; and improve hepatic function in patients suffering from cirrhosis. Scientific researches have already documented these actions. One study
explained that when there is translocation of the products of metabolism (eg. lipopolysaccharides or LPSs, ethanol and SFCAs), these products enter the liver and
cause the synthesis and storage of hepatic triacylglycerols (IHTG) that worsens
steatosis (fatty liver). When the proponents of the study gave a synbiotic containing
five probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus,
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum) plus
an inulin as a prebiotic, this resulted to a significant lowering of IHTG (intrahepatic
triacylglycerol) within 6 months among adult subjects having non-alcoholic steatohepatisis or NASH. Another study found that giving of a synbiotic product with
probiotics (Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum,
10 Prebiotics, Probiotics, Synbiotics and Its Importance in the Management of Diseases
right combination. First, one should determine the specific properties that a prebiotic
will require to be beneficial to the probiotic, then select the prebiotic accordingly.
Therefore, an appropriate probiotic and prebiotic should be selected while composing a synbiotic formula; then the prebiotic used should have an enhancing role on
the probiotic microorganisms; and the prebiotic should particularly augment the
growth of microorganisms in probiotics.
10.4.2 Mechanism of Action
Synbiotics act in two ways: (1) by augmenting the ability of probiotics; and (2) by
providing defined benefits for health. When a prebiotic is added to a probiotic, it
stimulates the probiotics and results in the regulation of the metabolic activity in the
intestine. This is manifested by an intact intestinal biostructure, proliferation of the
beneficial microbiota, and the inability of the potential pathogens to grow in the
gastrointestinal tract. Synbiotics also cause the lowering of the amount of undesirable metabolites, as well as the inactivation of nitrosamines and cancerogenic substances. Synbiotics also significantly cause levels of short-chain fatty acids, ketones,
carbon disulphides, and methyl acetates to drop which is good for one’s health.
These products act against the decay processes in the intestine and prevent constipation and diarrhoea.
10.4.3 Therapeutic Actions
Synbiotics have many beneficial effects for humans such as acting as antimicrobials
in pyogenic inflammation and anticancerous, anti-allergenic, antidiarrhoeal activities. They can also be used for prevention of osteoporosis and reduction of fat in
serum and sugar in blood; for improving immunomodulative ability like immune
system regulation and brain functions; reduce nosocomial infections after a postoperative procedure; and improve hepatic function in patients suffering from cirrhosis. Scientific researches have already documented these actions. One study
explained that when there is translocation of the products of metabolism (eg. lipopolysaccharides or LPSs, ethanol and SFCAs), these products enter the liver and
cause the synthesis and storage of hepatic triacylglycerols (IHTG) that worsens
steatosis (fatty liver). When the proponents of the study gave a synbiotic containing
five probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus,
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum) plus
an inulin as a prebiotic, this resulted to a significant lowering of IHTG (intrahepatic
triacylglycerol) within 6 months among adult subjects having non-alcoholic steatohepatisis or NASH. Another study found that giving of a synbiotic product with
probiotics (Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum,
10 Prebiotics, Probiotics, Synbiotics and Its Importance in the Management of Diseases