PreBiotic-Bio
60 capsules
Actions
- Promotes normal intestinal flora
- Increases production of SCFAs (propionate, acetate)
- Modulates the metabolome in the gastrointestinal tract and liver
- Supports the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract
- Improves intestinal barrier function
- Carminative
- Nervous system relaxant/ Anxiolytic
- Antispasmodic
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Immunomodulatory
- Antimicrobial
- Antiviral
Indications
- Dysbiosis
- Bloating and distention
- Dyspepsia
- Diarrhoea
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Leaky gut/ intestinal permeability
- Obesity
- Elevated triglycerides
Ingredients
Porphyra umbilicalis (Agar) - whole plant
Melissa officinalis - whole plant
Phyllanthus emblica - fruit
Other Ingredients: Vegetable cellulose (hypromellose); Vegetable Stearic Acid; Microcrystalline Cellulose and Vegetable Magnesium Stearate.
Does not contain: Wheat, gluten, soy, milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts
Caution: None Noted
Dosage
1-2 capsules 2-3 times a day
PreBiotic-Bio Formulation Research
The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) [i] proposed the following update of the prebiotic definition: “a substrate selectively utilised by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit.” This new definition expands the concept of prebiotic to polyunsaturated fatty acids, phytochemicals, and phenolics. The criteria to define prebiotic properties were: i) the impact on gut microbiota, ii) generation of SCFAs, and iii) improvement in lipid and/or glucose metabolism. Since in current medical practice prebiotics are proposed to patients experiencing gut discomfort, Brochot et al., (2019) chose ob/ob mice, a known model of metabolic diseases and gut microbiota dysbiosis.[ii]
Recent studies have suggested that plant extracts rich in polyphenols might modulate a dysbiotic gut microbiota in various animal models including mice fed on a fat‐rich diet.[iii] [iv] Based on this evidence, Brochot et al., conducted a proof‐of‐concept study in ob/ob mice, a well‐known model of gut microbiota dysbiosis (increased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio) and metabolic disease to evaluate the ability of Porphyra umbilicalis (PU) and Melissa officinalis (MO) extracts to induce changes in a dysbiotic gut microbiota and also to determine whether these changes may be associated with some ameliorations in both lipid and glucose metabolism.[v] It is noteworthy that in clinical practice prebiotics are proposed to patients suffering from gastrointestinal problems possibly due to a gut microbiota dysbiosis. Thus, a good indicator for treatment by a particular prebiotic is its capacity to change an already dysbiotic gut microbiota.
Porphyra umbilicalis is a potential functional food with a high content of dietary fibres, minerals, and trace elements as well as proteins and lipids that can exert multiple biological activities and has a high antioxidant capacity.[vi] Melissa officinalis is known to have multiple pharmacological effects including anxiolytic, antiviral, and antispasmodic activities, as well as to have an impact on mood, memory, and cognition.[vii]
Also studied was an extract of Emblica officinalis Gaertn (also known as amla or Phyllanthus emblica Linn). The fruit of E. officinalisGaertn is a rich source of vitamin C and tannins and has a strong antioxidant activity.[viii] [ix] It has also been shown to improve glucose and lipid metabolism in both normal subjects and type 2 diabetic patients.[x]
Discussion
The modifications in the gut microbiota induced by PreBiotic-Bio formula were associated with a significant shift of the overall metabolome of the caecum content. In particular, mice treated with PU and those treated with MO displayed higher caecal levels of propionate than control mice. It is also noteworthy that PU induced a substantial reduction in plasma triacylglycerols (TG), which could be mechanistically linked to the observed increase in propionate, as previously reported.[xi] The increase in propionate and reduction in TG were associated with a change in hepatic gene expression but not with a modulation of glucose metabolism.
Conclusion
Modifications of the gut microbiota induced by PreBiotic-Bio formula were associated with a significant shift of the overall metabolome of the caecum content.