HealthNew framework established for defining prebiotics

New framework established for defining prebiotics

-

spot_img



The concept of prebiotics – defined as substrates that are selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit – was introduced in the scientific community nearly 30 years ago. Today, prebiotic substances have gained significant attention as potential ways to enhance health through the gut microbiota. But given the rapid recent expansion in high resolution microbiome research technologies, and scientists’ growing understanding of the ways dietary compounds and nutrients might impact the microbiome, confusion for scientists and consumers has emerged around which substances have genuine prebiotic effects.

Now a group of eight leading international scientists has developed a comprehensive framework that outlines the criteria for establishing prebiotic status, providing much-needed clarity in this evolving field. This new expert recommendation, published in Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology, addresses the key challenges related to scientific substantiation of prebiotics and offers practical guidelines for accurately identifying prebiotics and assessing their health effects. The publication resulted from collaborations coordinated through the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP).

The authors detail a clear scientific pathway for demonstrating prebiotic effects, emphasizing that prebiotics must meet several essential criteria. First and foremost, a prebiotic must be a well-characterized substance that provides a measurable health benefit. In addition, it must be selectively utilized by host microorganisms, show measurable effects on microbiome composition or function, have a plausible mechanism linking the microbiome changes to the observed health benefit, and be safe for its intended use. Importantly, at least one study in the target host is required to demonstrate both microbiome modulation and a health benefit concurrently.

Two of the most important challenges addressed within the paper are validation of selective utilisation within the complexity of the microbial ecosystem’s response to a prebiotic intervention, as well as methods for delineating the mediation of health benefits via microbiome-based mechanisms.

The authors say that over time they hope regulatory and commercial approaches to prebiotics will increasingly align with the scientific criteria they specified.

The criteria provide a foundation for understanding what prebiotics are and how to substantiate them, which is essential for the field going forward. Our hope is that scientists around the world take a unified approach to demonstrating the prebiotic status of an ingredient, which will promote clarity and support informed decision-making around prebiotic products.”


Prof. Robert Hutkins, lead author, University of Nebraska

Source:

Journal reference:

Hutkins, R., et al. (2024). Classifying compounds as prebiotics — scientific perspectives and recommendations. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. doi.org/10.1038/s41575-024-00981-6.



Source link

Latest news

The Beauty Slowdown Has Come for Indie Retailers

The woes of some of the beauty industry’s biggest names, like Ulta Beauty and Estée Lauder, have made...

Missouri votes to expand abortion rights as Florida rejects protections with five states to come | US elections 2024

Americans in 10 US states voted on Tuesday on whether to enshrine the right to abortion into their...

US election 2024 live: Trump wins red states Kentucky and Indiana as Harris picks up blue Vermont | US elections 2024

Trump wins red states Kentucky and Indiana; Harris picks up blue VermontThe Associated Press has called its first...
spot_img

What to Do If the Election Doesn’t Go as You Hoped, According to a Mental Health Expert

So, you’re experiencing election anxiety. Across the country, people on both sides of the aisle are feeling the...

18 Best Beauty Advent Calendars 2024, According to Editors

Raise your hand if the rollout of the best beauty advent calendars gets your heart racing every holiday...

Must read

The Beauty Slowdown Has Come for Indie Retailers

The woes of some of the beauty industry’s...
spot_img

You might also likeRELATED
Recommended to you