Latest research on Gut Microbiome/Host Interactions Mediated by Metabolites

“The gut microbiota contributes to host physiology through the production of a myriad of metabolites. These metabolites exert their effects within the host as signalling molecules and substrates for metabolic reactions. Although the study of host–microbiota interactions remains challenging due to the high degree of crosstalk both within and between kingdoms, metabolite-focused research has identified multiple actionable microbial targets that are relevant for host health.

Metabolites, as the functional output of combined host and microorganism interactions, provide a snapshot in time of an extraordinarily complex multi-organism system. Although substantial work remains towards understanding host–microbiota interactions and the underlying mechanisms, we review the current state of knowledge for each of the major classes of microbial metabolites with emphasis on clinical and translational research implications.” (Krautkramer et. al., 2021)

What does that even mean?

It means several things;

• Our ability to describe what is in the gut is improving
• Our understanding of what is happening, ecologically, in the gut is improving
• Our understanding of the myriad interactions between organisms in the gut (including the host) is very incomplete
• We still have a long way to go before we can predict the effects of adding microbes or metabolites to the gut.

What we do know is that many people report improvements in gut comfort and function when they take LiveBrew, NZ’s only fresh, live and active probiotic.

Krautkramer, K.A., Fan, J. & Bäckhed, F. Gut microbial metabolites as multi-kingdom intermediates. Nat Rev Microbiol 19, 77–94 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-020-0438-4

CONCLUSION: So where does this leave someone who wants a really good probiotic?

Once you know the probiotic myths, it is much easier to identify the characteristics of a product with the capacity to produce beneficial effects:

1. A fresh, live product, i.e., not freeze-dried or chemically preserved.
2. The minimum number of live microbes must be guaranteed through the entire shelf life period.
3. A product containing multiple strains of microbes with proven probiotic characteristics
4. A product that contains beneficial metabolites (organic acids, etc.) produced by the probiotic microbes

Only LiveBrew meets all of the criteria set out above. LiveBrew is also the only fresh, live and active multi-strain probiotic product that does not require refrigeration prior to opening while guaranteeing a billion CFU/Lactobacilli in every dose throughout the entire 9-month shelf life.