Prebiotics News and Research

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Restoring healthy balance in gut bacteria may reduce ASD symptoms

Experts have called for large-scale studies into altering the make-up of bacteria in the gut, after a review showed that this might reduce the symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

19 Jun 2017

Prebiotics may be new weapon in the fight against childhood obesity

There may soon be a new tool in the fight against childhood obesity. Prebiotics reduce body fat in children who are overweight or obese by altering their gut microbiota, according to new research published in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.

7 Jun 2017

Study uses prebiotic fiber to improve intestinal bacteria profile of children

A couple of teaspoons of a fiber supplement, taken daily, has produced some exciting results that will help children with overweight or obesity maintain a healthier weight and prevent many diseases caused by obesity.

7 Jun 2017

Scientists develop new processing method to extract valuable biomolecules from wheat bran

It's usually used as livestock feed, but wheat bran's value in human nutrition and medicine may soon reach its full potential with a new sustainable processing method developed by Swedish researchers.

3 May 2017

Oral gut microbe treatment improves fatty liver in mice

Oral administration of a commensal gut microbe, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, improves fatty liver in mice. F. prausnitzii is considered one of the most important bacterial indicators of a healthy gut.

5 Apr 2017

Dietary prebiotics can improve sleep after stress exposure, study suggests

In recent years, reams of research papers have shed light on the health benefits of probiotics, the "good bacteria" found in fermented foods and dietary supplements.

24 Feb 2017

Regular intake of prebiotics may promote recovery of normal sleep patterns after stress

What are some ways you cope with stresses in your life? Do you do yoga? Meditate? Exercise? Perhaps you should add taking prebiotics to that list.

10 Feb 2017

New review examines use of probiotics or prebiotics for prevention of atopic dermatitis

Evidence supporting a key role for an altered gut microbiome in the development of atopic dermatitis would suggest that the use of probiotics or prebiotics to correct microbial imbalances in the gut could help prevent or treat AD.

31 Jan 2017

Review highlights link between intestinal microbiota and colorectal cancer development

Recent evidence from animal models suggests a role for specific types of intestinal bacteria in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC).

9 Dec 2016

Researchers shed light on how success of gut microbiome treatments may depend on genetics

Our gut microbiomes--the bacteria that live in our digestive tract--play major roles in our health. Scientists around the world are studying therapies that manipulate the microbiome, including probiotics (such as live bacterial cultures in yogurt), prebiotics (edible fibers meant to promote beneficial bacteria), antibiotics and transplants of microbes from healthy people.

7 Nov 2016

Alternative therapies appear to be effective in ameliorating IBS symptoms

A new review looks at the evidence behind the effectiveness of complementary or alternative therapies-including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fiber, and herbal medicinal products-for the treatment of bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional constipation, and ulcerative colitis.

3 Oct 2016

Ancient remedy to treat severe diarrhea becomes effective therapy for multiple recurrent CDI

Modern medicine is taking a new look at an ancient remedy for severe diarrhea as a novel approach to treat a serious gastrointestinal infection.

22 Sep 2016

Maternal HIV infection could alter gut microbiome of HIV-exposed, uninfected infants

A study led by researchers at The Saban Research Institute of Children's Hospital Los Angeles suggests that maternal HIV infection influences the microbiome of their HIV-uninfected infants.

28 Jul 2016

Enzyme from fermented Japanese vegetable boosts colon health in rats

An enzyme produced by fermenting a vegetable common in Japanese cuisine may be responsible for increasing the amount of at least one beneficial bacterium associated with healthy colons in a study using rats.

4 Jul 2016

Scientists detect biological markers of chronic fatigue syndrome in gut bacteria

Physicians have been mystified by chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition where normal exertion leads to debilitating fatigue that isn't alleviated by rest. There are no known triggers, and diagnosis requires lengthy tests administered by an expert.

28 Jun 2016

High fibre diet can help reduce food allergies

Eating a diet rich in fibre can actually shape the immune system to reduce allergies to substances such as peanuts, new research shows.

21 Jun 2016

Researchers unravel species-function relationships in gut microbial genomes

Despite recent progress, the organization and ecological properties of the intestinal microbial ecosystem remain under investigated. Using a manually curated metabolic module framework for (meta-)genomic data analysis, Sara Vieira-Silva, Gwen Falony and colleagues from the Jeroen Raes lab studied species-function relationships in gut microbial genomes and microbiomes.

14 Jun 2016

ITJ researchers develop new hydrating beverage for athletes

Jiquiquilpan's Institute of Technology in Mexico developed a hydrating beverage for athletes that is based on agave's fructans, that not only supplies the adequate water levels to the organisms, but also offers other benefits such as dietetic fiber.

5 May 2016

Modulation of estrobolome may help lower breast cancer risk

Investigating disparities in the composition of the estrobolome, the gut bacterial genes capable of metabolizing estrogens in both healthy individuals and in women diagnosed with estrogen-driven breast cancer may lead to the development of microbiome-based biomarkers that could help mitigate the risk of certain cancers, according to a review paper published April 22 in the JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

25 Apr 2016

Sugar compounds provide nutrient support for growth of infant gut microbes

UC Davis researchers have shown that an enzyme produced by beneficial microbes in babies' intestines is able to harvest specific sugar compounds from human breast-milk and cow's milk. The discovery identifies those sugars -- rather than associated protein compounds -- as the key to nourishing those important, health-promoting microbes.

18 Apr 2016