You're probably wondering now – what's that supposed to be? Don't worry, we'll explain it to you right here.
This is a form of probiotic. Here, different genera, species, or strains of bacteria are combined, ideally allowing them to exert their effects most efficiently, as the specific properties of the bacteria cooperate with each other, creating synergies.
Many factors play a role in the effectiveness of probiotics. Firstly, the potency of the preparation – measured in CFUs, or colony-forming units – has a strong influence on its effect. Secondly, the composition of the different bacterial strains is crucial for success. This is because the composition of probiotics is system-specific. Each probiotic bacterium fulfills its own function, which is why a combination of many different strains can be more effective. The health-promoting effect benefits not only from the diversity of the composition but also from synergistic effects that can occur between the individual cultures.
Modern probiotic preparations utilize this concept to achieve increased effectiveness. By carefully considering how the different probiotic bacterial strains interact during the product formulation, they can complement each other and enhance the desired effect.
The following synergistic effects are particularly pronounced:
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The successful colonization:
The beneficial bacteria in your gut thrive best when different strains are ingested simultaneously. As mentioned earlier, their individual characteristics directly influence other types of bacteria in the gut – this can lead to synergistic effects! Furthermore, the formation of a probiotic niche can greatly benefit the colonization of the gut. This occurs, for example, through the creation of an optimal pH level or an anaerobic environment, as these conditions are particularly conducive to the beneficial bacteria. - A health-promoting effect:
The probiotic effect And thus, the health-promoting effects on the gut and the entire body are enhanced by the combination of different strain-specific properties. Here, too, the effect of probiotics is improved when different probiotic niches are colonized, the bacterial strains work together, and the bacterial diversity—and therefore the diversity of properties—is greater. The interactions triggered by different bacterial strains also lead to increased activity in the gut and consequently to a greater exchange of nutrients in the body.
Source:
- https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ebooks/pdf/10.1055/b-0034-29498.pdf#
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/245881512_Probiotische_Evolution_Vom_einfachen_Mikroorganismenstamm_zum_Multi-Spezies-Konzept
