Intestinal Influencers
The gut is the body’s second most important control center, after the brain. Alongside nerve and immune cells, it’s home to more than a thousand different species of bacteria. It’s all due to the community—the microbiome. Probiotics and synbiotics can positively influence the microbiome in many different ways
InfographicMAXIMILIAN NERTINGER
PROBIOTICS
How probiotic organisms support the body’s own bacteria
Production of antimicrobial substances
These kill pathogenic bacteria or prevent them from multiplying
Competition for binding sites
Probiotics occupy sites and thus block pathogenic bacteria from binding
Improving the barrier
The spaces between the cells are more tightly sealed
Enzyme production
Enzymes help to break up nutrients. Intermediate products can be utilized by other intestinal bacteria
Production of lactic acid (lactate)
The lactate inhibits the growth of pathogens
Crossfeeding
Microbiota take up lactate and convert it into butyric acid (butyrate)
THE IMMUNE RESPONSE OF THE INTESTINE
How the intestinal barrier recognizes dangerous intruders and renders them harmless
Dendritic cells and other phagocytes
ingest foreign microorganisms and present the microorganism’s antigens on their cell surfaces. They activate and control the responses of the immune system
Plasma cells
are B-lymphocytes and produce large quantities of antibodies (immunoglobulin A), which fight off foreign microorganisms
M cells
are specialized epithelial cells that enable the recognition of antigens from the intestine. The antigens are passed on to immune cells, which then move into the lymphatic tissue of the intestine and initiate immune reactions
Goblet cells
secrete mucus (mucins) that protects the intestinal absorptive cells against mechanical irritation and contact with intestinal bacteria
Paneth cells
These gland cells produce peptides for suppressing pathogenic microorganisms
SYNBIOTICS
How combinations of probiotics with additional ingredients can boost the production of certain substances by bacteria
Butyrate production
Bacillus subtilis and the dipeptide alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln) work together to increase the production of butyrate, which is an important source of energy for intestinal cells
Resolvin production
Bacillus megaterium converts high doses of omega-3 fatty acids into resolvins that can inhibit inflammation
The microbiome
Health begins in the gut
In good company: The microbiome consists of countless bacteria that are crucial for our health.
Pharma Polymers
Transport without Side Effects
Drug delivery—on the art of transporting active pharmaceutical ingredients to specific targets in the human body.
Healthy nutrition
Custom-made meals
Everyone’s different: In an interview, Professor Christian Sina calls for personalized nutrition.
Nutrition
A Plentiful and Sustainable Diet
Nearly ten billion people will be living on the planet in 2050—but what will all these people eat?
