Microbiota

Hello,

"Supplements, although they have the ability to ensure their intake through the acidic environment of the stomach, contain high concentrations of monocultures, resulting in an imbalance in the diversity of the gut biome."
I am interested in whether some manufacturers take this into account and strive for lower concentrations and greater diversity? Or is this a problem with all probiotics in capsules in general? And at the same time, based on this logic, should one opt for probiotics in capsules only after antibiotic treatment and in case of digestive issues and not just casually? Additionally, I often encounter the use of probiotics for eczema; however, from what you're writing, I'm not sure if that's a good idea if eczema is mainly a question of microbiome disruption?

The development of supplements is continuously progressing, and probiotic manufacturers are certainly keeping pace. Nowadays, it is standard to target a broader spectrum of strains/genera/species, but even that is not "perfect," because:

1. From the perspective of diversity, values of 5-10 represented strains with which manufacturers work today solve nothing,
2. This trend does not correspond to the individual metabolic needs of a person.

However, if we were to work with an averaged individual from Western society, whose gut microbiota diversity is not entirely exemplary, it still makes sense to use probiotics in supplementation, as it will always benefit a healthy individual. In trying to support the resolution of certain health issues, you risk using a type of microorganism that may not meet the needs of the situation and could worsen the condition.

Companies are gradually emerging that offer personalized probiotics alongside gut microbiota analysis—here I am convinced that this is the direction of the future, and it makes sense to continuously monitor this area.

Hello,

What should be done if the intestine is significantly damaged by long-term antibiotic use, leading to disrupted microbiota and hormonal balance? Is there a remedy, dietary supplement, or food that works quickly to allow us to reach a level where we can consume fermented foods?

Are bone broths something that can be consumed daily?

How can we ensure that hormones aren't being reabsorbed in the intestine?

These situations require a conceptual approach. When the balance of any system in the body is pushed outside its optimal functioning zone, and potential causes are known, it is necessary to decide whether to use:
A) A "shortcut" in the form of an appropriate medication (which ultimately does not cure but merely suppresses the symptoms),
B) With a good dose of patience, remove the causes, adjust your lifestyle (diet, exercise, stress correction...), and wait for the organism to adapt to the new situation.

In general, shortcuts do not work in solving health imbalances; on the other hand, the process can be made more efficient by individualizing the approach, including using appropriate supplements. In the situation you describe, some probiotics are used today (their selection is either based on a properly established diagnosis or results from the analysis of the gut microbiota). Fermented foods are included with great caution, most often based on the body's reactions to the gradual changes you implement in your diet.

Bone broths appear to be one of the most advantageous foods in these situations, and it makes sense to work with them systematically, even on a daily basis.

The intestinal mucosa has a relatively good regenerative ability, but it needs the right conditions and enough time, often involving months of "experimenting" with dietary adjustments. If you are "lucky" and scarring of the tissue does not occur, there is a chance for the complete restoration of mucosal continuity and a return to the original balance, which will also reflect in hormonal regulation.

Hello,

I have a question regarding the nutrition of the microbiota after taking antibiotics. If I understand correctly, antibiotics eliminate almost all the bacteria inhabiting our gut, which in turn reduces our immune defense, making us more susceptible to diseases. What should we primarily focus on to restore this natural microflora? Is it necessary to use prebiotics in the form of dietary supplements, or are dietary prebiotics sufficient?

Thank you for your response.

Antibiotics do not completely destroy all microorganisms; today, most used are those that target specific groups, making them "safer" in this respect. However, the fact remains that their use is not beneficial for the diversity and stability of the gut probiotic microbiota. It is therefore advantageous to increase the intake of prebiotics and probiotics after a course of antibiotics, preferably through diet. Supplements have their place here, with prebiotics appearing to be more advantageous (or significant?). When choosing probiotics, select those that combine as many strains as possible.

Good day,
could you please explain the difference between the microbiome and the microbiota?
Thank you.

The microbiome refers to the genome of all microorganisms, i.e., the collection of genes of all microbes that inhabit our body. Microbiota is the ensemble of all microorganisms (this is a new term that has replaced the previous "microflora"). Although they have different meanings, they are very often used interchangeably (you will commonly encounter situations in the literature where the author uses the term "microbiome" to mean "microbiota").