The food we eat is expected to be medicinal so that we don't have to go back to have the medicines; this is the current ideology we all share. Hark back to the past, Hippocrates said the same thing about food "let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food".Today the primary role of nutrition is in providing the body with the nutrients it needs for growth and development; several additional aspects, including maintaining health and preventing disease, are becoming increasingly important.

Russian scientist "Elie Metchnikoff" was the first to discover phagocytosis, which helped us identify the beneficial role of certain bacteria in our digestive system. This led to understanding the food and nutrients in improving health. A human's gastrointestinal tract contains many microorganisms, most of which are not commensal bacteria. Healthy gut bacteria have a major role in fighting pathogens and improving gut health by providing necessary nutrients. Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotic, are introduced into the human intestines to strengthen the gut microbiota. Live microorganisms benefit the host's health when administered in sufficient doses, which is the ICMR definition of probiotics.

The food we consume can impact the cellular process in our metabolic system. The probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics can be administered to our gut through our food, so this way, the food we have can help in better gut health. Let's dive deep into how microorganisms can improve our health.

Probiotics

Probiotics are non-pathogenic organisms known for their derived health benefits in the host. The most popular among them is the lactic acid bacteria. Certain commonly known probiotic bacterias are  Lactobacillus rhamnosus, bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus reuteri, and certain strains of  Escherichia coli. The probiotic bacteria in supplements help in training the immune system to identify pathogens and healthy bacteria. Another speciality of probiotics is in digesting certain fibre compounds that enhance health. Gut conditions destine the presence of probiotics in the gut. It's important to choose a probiotic supplement that contains strains that have been shown to survive in the gut. It is generally accepted to consume probiotics in coated capsules to protect cultures from passing through the intestines but not necessary  for strains that are resistant and can reach the gut without compromising activity

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are substrates that serve as food for the intestinal microflora and promote adequate growth for long-term survival in the gastrointestinal tract are considered prebiotics. An established definition of a prebiotic is "a substrate that is selectively used by the gut microbiota to provide health benefits". Some prebiotics that is naturally found in foods and can support the growth of good bacteria in the gut. Prebiotics constitutes a significant amount of produced oligosaccharides, and fructans (like inulin and oligofructose) are believed to be the most effective and commonly used in relation to many species of probiotics. Fibre and prebiotics are sometimes needed to be differentiated since the fibre in the prebiotics is used for gut health improvement. Especially people who take part in less physical activities are advised to include prebiotics and probiotics in their food.

Synbiotics

The term synbiotics is less popular in comparison with probiotics or prebiotics. The symbiotic is simply a combination of both probiotics and prebiotics. Synbiotics are not only healthy foods, but they also stimulate the growth of special bacterial strains in the gastrointestinal tract. The synergetic effect contributed by prebiotics and probiotics can be found in the symbiotic, which helps in both large and small intestines.

Conclusion

Probiotic organisms are essential for balancing the human gut microbiome. Many scientific reports confirm a positive effect on the owner's health. The high therapeutic potential is due to probiotic microbes such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance syndrome. Prebiotics can enhance the action of probiotics in the small and large intestines. Synbiotics can help provide both of these uses and can be more effective, being a combination of both prebiotics and probiotics.

 To know more about the prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotic products and the development of functional foods comprising the probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotics, see the microbiome product development by the Food research lab.