Glossary Archives - Page 2 of 2

1 11, 2019

S as Synbiotics

Laura_Exden2021-09-16T10:02:32+02:0001 November 2019|Glossary|Comments Off on S as Synbiotics

Synbiotics means the alliance of probiotics and prebiotics. Synbiotics could be defined as : “could beneficially affect the host by improving survival and implantation of live microbial dietary supplements in the gastrointestinal flora, by selectively stimulating the growth or activating the catabolism of one or a limited number of health-promoting bacteria in the intestinal tract, and by improving the gastrointestinal tract's microbial balance” (Roberfroid, 2000). In other words, prebiotics will serve as fuel for probiotics in the product. They facilitate the growth of bacteria and allow them a better implantation in our intestines. The intake of probiotics will help to rebalance [...]

31 05, 2019

P as Prebiotics

Laura_Exden2021-08-20T11:30:12+02:0031 May 2019|Glossary, P|Comments Off on P as Prebiotics

Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers from our diet. Their goal is to selectively stimulate the beneficial bacteria of our intestinal microbiota. Prebiotics are mainly short chains carbohydrates (i.e. sugars). After consumption, prebiotics cross the digestive tract without being digested until the colon. They are used as a substrate by the “good” bacteria, which ferment and turn them into short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, acetate, lactate or propionate. Inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are the most represented prebiotics in quantity in our diet. They are found in certain fruits and vegetables (bananas, endive, chicory…), and some cereals (wheat, rye…). However, there are other [...]

22 02, 2019

F as Fecal microbiota transplantation

Laura_Exden2021-04-23T11:39:51+02:0022 February 2019|F, Glossary|Comments Off on F as Fecal microbiota transplantation

Fecal microbiota transplantation, fecal transplantation or fecal bacteriotherapy… different names that mean one thing: the stool transfer from one individual to another. Often badly perceived, they can save lives. We all know health scandals where food has been contaminated with fecal bacteria. However, some fecal bacteria can help treat people. More concretely, fecal transplantation is the stool administration process of a healthy individual to the digestive tract of a person who suffer from a pathology related to an alteration of the intestinal microbiota (dysbiosis). The therapeutic goal is to recolonize the intestinal microbiota of the patient by introducing healthy bacteria and [...]

14 12, 2018

Z as Zonulin

Laura_Exden2021-04-23T11:44:16+02:0014 December 2018|Glossary, Z|Comments Off on Z as Zonulin

The intestinal mucosa serves as a barrier thanks to tight junctions that allow selective passage of molecules. However, some factors can affect its integrity and modify its tightness. Indeed, enterocytes will secrete zonulin, a protein responsible for the tight junctions separation. Some factors favor the increased secretion of zonulin such as endocrine disruptors, pesticides, stress, intensive sport, gastric insufficiency, diet… Thus, more enterocytes release zonulin, more tight junctions open and more intestinal permeability is important. This phenomenon is called intestinal hyperpermeability or leaky gut syndrome. The intestine is altered, allowing the passage of undesirable substances which, in normal conditions, should not. [...]

2 11, 2018

C as CFU

Laura_Exden2021-04-23T11:52:03+02:0002 November 2018|C, Glossary|Comments Off on C as CFU

When you buy food supplements with probiotics, you can see “CFU” for the probiotic quantity written on the label. What does this acronym mean ? CFU for Colony Forming Unit is the unit for counting the number of live bacteria, each giving rise to a colony in the tested sample. This is the value derived from the viability analysis (microbiology test). Therefore, it gives the quantity of viable probiotics contained in the product. . LC Reference Picture: Freepik

29 06, 2018

M as Microbiota

Laura_Exden2021-04-23T12:00:09+02:0029 June 2018|Glossary, M|Comments Off on M as Microbiota

What are the main roles of the intestinal microbiota ? The intestinal microbiota, formerly called intestinal flora, is an important organ of our body that participates in our health and well-being. It consists of a complex and diverse ecosystem of microorganisms that reside on the surface of the intestinal mucosa : mainly bacteria, but also yeasts and viruses. The intestinal microbiota is specific to each individual : it can be considered as our identity card. In fact, one-third of the bacteria are common with others while the remaining two-thirds are unique. Each individual is housed about 100,000 billion bacteria, which is ten times the [...]

6 04, 2018

B as bacteria

Florence Charpentier2021-04-23T12:04:28+02:0006 April 2018|B, Glossary|Comments Off on B as bacteria

Our body is not just human cells, it also contains bacteria ! Furthermore in very large amount. Indeed, there are more than 100 000 billion bacteria in the human body...

23 02, 2018

P as Probiotics

Florence Charpentier2021-04-23T12:18:12+02:0023 February 2018|Glossary, P|Comments Off on P as Probiotics

According to World Health Organization (WHO), probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts,

1 12, 2017

D as Dysbiosis

Exden2021-04-23T12:23:47+02:0001 December 2017|D, Glossary|Comments Off on D as Dysbiosis

Gut microbiota is an ecosystem in equilibrium that self-regulates permanently. The balance between the different flora of the intestine can break under the threat of aggression. This microbiota imbalance is introduced by the term dysbiosis, as opposed to normobiose. Dysbiosis causes are various and varied. It can be due to bacterial, viral or parasitic infections ; a sudden change of environment and/or diet ; immunodeficiency ; or even some drugs like antibiotics. The result of this intestinal disturbance ranges from simple deregulation to digestive pathology, but also extra-digestive (e.g. allergy, obesity, diabetes). It usually causes intestinal hyperpermeability or leaky gut syndrome. Thus, many intestinal [...]