Probiotics are now accepted for their conventional functions, such as improving digestion and absorption, moistening the bowel and relieving constipation, improving diarrhea, regulating immunity, protecting the intestinal mucosa, and fighting allergies. But how probiotics work, and which ones work better, has left consumers and practitioners confused.
Byford, through experiments and literature review, has learned some probiotic mechanisms of action, and will share them briefly here.
First, probiotics interact with food. Some probiotics improve the intestinal environment by converting sugars into organic acids and act as mediators for the absorption of volatile fatty acids; Other probiotics produce a range of enzymes that can digest hard-to-digest fiber and also improve digestion.
Second, interact with other microorganisms. Probiotics produce and secrete effective antimicrobial peptides that kill potential pathogens without harming other probiotics or symbiotic organisms.
Third, probiotics interact with their hosts. Probiotics can competitively exclude the binding of potential pathogenic microorganisms to the intestinal microvilli (nutrient absorption site). Probiotics enhance the absorption capacity of growing animals. They also actively support intestinal barrier function, especially the normal function of the apical tight junction. In addition, probiotics interact with specialized cells of an animal's immune system to improve their ability to deal with challenges.
Through the above mechanism, we know that it is not a single group of microbes that can keep the gut healthy, but the cooperation of various strains to achieve a good gut environment. In addition to human consumption of probiotics need to pay attention to the formula, animal probiotics also need to be combined to better effect, so as to improve nutrient absorption, maintain health, meat, eggs and milk production. Baiford has rich experience in formula design, welcome practitioners to consult.