Fermentation

Internal medicine

Microbiome

Dysbiosis

Saccharomyces boulardii

Disease

Lactobacillus

Probiotic

Bifidobacterium

Malabsorption

Food science

Bacteria

Genetics

Bioinformatics

Medicine

Biology

Gastroenterology

Current Gastroenterology Reports

Probiotics are promising remedial treatments for symptoms of small intestine (SI) diseases and promoters of overall good health. Probiotics play an important role in supporting a healthy SI microbiome (eubiosis), and in preventing establishment of unhealthy microbiota. SI eubiosis promotes optimal nutrient uptake, and optimal nutritional status maintains a healthy SI, reducing the likelihood of SI diseases. It is important to understand the advantages and limitations of probiotic therapies.Microbial dysbiosis decreases the capacity of the small bowel to utilize and absorb dietary compounds. In some studies, probiotic supplements containing lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium have been demonstrated effective in supporting beneficial microbes in the SI while improving barrier integrity and reducing nutrient malabsorption and SI disease-related pathology. Strain-specific probiotic therapy may be a natural and effective approach to restoring SI barrier integrity and eubiosis, resulting in improved nutrient absorption and better health, including reducing the incidence of and severity of SI diseases.

Probiotics, Nutrition, and the Small Intestine