Synbiotics facts for kids

Synbiotics are mixtures of ingredients that combine probiotics and prebiotics. These two components work together as a team to help the body. The word "synbiotic" comes from the concept of synergism, which means that two things working together produce a better result than they would alone.

Scientists study synbiotics to see if they can improve health, especially in the digestive system. They are often found in dietary supplements or specific foods designed to support the "good bacteria" living in the gut.

Understanding Synbiotics

To understand synbiotics, it helps to know what the two main parts are:

• Probiotics: These are live microorganisms, often called "good bacteria." They are meant to live in the large intestine and help keep the gut healthy.
• Prebiotics: This is a type of food, usually a specific kind of fiber, that the human body cannot digest. However, the good bacteria love to eat it. It helps them grow and stay active.

How They Work Together

When probiotics and prebiotics are put together in a synbiotic product, they can work in two main ways:

• Complementary: Both the bacteria and the food are chosen because they are good for health individually.
• Synergistic: The prebiotic food is chosen specifically because it feeds the specific probiotic bacteria included in the mix. This helps the bacteria survive and do their job better.

Researchers are also looking into "optibiotics." These are mixtures designed to be the most effective version of synbiotics, aiming to boost the growth and health benefits of the probiotics even more.

History and Definition

The idea of synbiotics was created to describe mixtures that help helpful bacteria survive in the gastrointestinal tract. The goal is to improve the health of the person (the host) by helping these good microbes grow.

In 2020, scientists updated the definition. They now describe a synbiotic as "a mixture comprising live microorganisms and substrate(s) selectively utilised by host microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host." This new definition is a bit more flexible. It allows scientists to study new combinations beyond just the traditional ones, helping them understand how different foods and microbes interact inside the body.

Examples of Synbiotics

There are many different combinations used to create synbiotics. Some common examples include:

• Bifidobacteria mixed with Fructooligosaccharides (often called FOS).
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG mixed with inulins.
• Bifidobacteria or lactobacilli mixed with galactooligosaccharides (GOS).
• Combinations involving Polyphenols.

Health Research

Scientists are constantly studying how synbiotics affect health. For example, researchers have looked at whether giving synbiotics to infants can help with serious stomach problems. While some mixtures have been tested with pasteurized breast milk, doctors and scientists are still gathering evidence to see exactly how effective these treatments are.

The United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization suggests that a product should only be called a "synbiotic" if there is proof that the ingredients work better together than they do apart.