Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2017 Sep 15;9(9):1021.
doi: 10.3390/nu9091021.

Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics on Human Health

Paulina Markowiak  1 , Katarzyna Śliżewska  2
Affiliations
Review

Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Synbiotics on Human Health

Paulina Markowiak et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

The human gastrointestinal tract is colonised by a complex ecosystem of microorganisms. Intestinal bacteria are not only commensal, but they also undergo a synbiotic co-evolution along with their host. Beneficial intestinal bacteria have numerous and important functions, e.g., they produce various nutrients for their host, prevent infections caused by intestinal pathogens, and modulate a normal immunological response. Therefore, modification of the intestinal microbiota in order to achieve, restore, and maintain favourable balance in the ecosystem, and the activity of microorganisms present in the gastrointestinal tract is necessary for the improved health condition of the host. The introduction of probiotics, prebiotics, or synbiotics into human diet is favourable for the intestinal microbiota. They may be consumed in the form of raw vegetables and fruit, fermented pickles, or dairy products. Another source may be pharmaceutical formulas and functional food. This paper provides a review of available information and summarises the current knowledge on the effects of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics on human health. The mechanism of beneficial action of those substances is discussed, and verified study results proving their efficacy in human nutrition are presented.

Keywords: gut microbiota; human health; prebiotics; probiotic bacteria; synbiotics.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mechanisms of action of synbiotics and their effects.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Requirements for potential prebiotics [132,138].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Vergin F. Anti-und Probiotica. Hipokrates. 1954;25:116–119. - PubMed
    1. Lilly D.M., Stillwell R.H. Probiotics: Growth promoting factors produced by microorganisms. Science. 1965;147:747–748. doi: 10.1126/science.147.3659.747. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Fuller R. Probiotics in man and animals. J. Appl. Microbiol. 1989;66:365–378. - PubMed
    1. Guarner F., Schaafsma G.J. Probiotics. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 1998;39:237–238. doi: 10.1016/S0168-1605(97)00136-0. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Guidelines for the Evaluation of Probiotics in Food. FAO; London, ON, Canada: Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Working Group on Drafting Guidelines for the Evaluation of Probiotics in Food. 30 April–1 May 2002.