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

Intestine
1

Production of antimicrobial ­substances

These kill pathogenic bacteria or prevent them from multiplying

2

Competition for binding sites

Probiotics occupy sites and thus block pathogenic bacteria from binding

3

Improving the barrier

The spaces between the cells are more tightly sealed

4

Enzyme production

Enzymes help to break up nutrients. Intermediate products can be utilized by other intestinal bacteria