Nutrition Quiz: Prebiotics and Probiotics

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Questions and Answers

What are prebiotics primarily composed of?

Fats

Vitamins

Carbohydrates (correct)

Proteins

Which of the following is a characteristic of prebiotics?

They are completely absorbed in the upper GIT

They are digested by colonic microorganisms

They selectively stimulate growth of probiotics (correct)

They promote the growth of harmful bacteria

Which of the following compounds are common prebiotics used in human nutrition?

Cholesterol and amino acids

Fructooligosaccharides and galactooligosaccharides (correct)

Starch and cellulose

Glucose and fructose

What health benefit is associated with the intake of prebiotics?

Reduction of blood LDL levels Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT a required criterion for something to be classified as a prebiotic?

Stimulation of harmful bacteria production Signup and view all the answers

Which short-chain fatty acid is mentioned as being produced due to prebiotic consumption?

Propionic acid Signup and view all the answers

What is a major source of prebiotics in the diet?

Fruits and vegetables Signup and view all the answers

Which probiotic strains are particularly increased by the consumption of fermentable dietary fibers?

Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus Signup and view all the answers

What are probiotics primarily used for in human nutrition?

To restore or establish a balanced microbiota Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of action for probiotics?

Direct replication of dietary proteins Signup and view all the answers

Which genera primarily contain human probiotic microorganisms?

Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of probiotics on ulcerative colitis?

They have shown to lead to remission. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following therapeutic strategies can modulate gut microbiota?

Probiotics and synbiotics Signup and view all the answers

What impact do probiotics have on lactose intolerance?

They increase lactose digestion and tolerance. Signup and view all the answers

What type of effect have probiotics shown on colorectal carcinoma in animal studies?

They may reduce the risk. Signup and view all the answers

What determines whether gut microbiota modulation is necessary?

Individual predisposition to disease and specific health risks Signup and view all the answers

What type of diarrhoea has Saccharomyces boulardii been shown to effectively treat?

Antibiotic-associated diarrhoea Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following probiotic strains has been specifically noted to be effective against Clostridium difficile disease?

Saccharomyces boulardii Signup and view all the answers

Probiotic administration has resulted in which of the following improvements in obese patients?

Improvement in lipid profile Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyric acid on gene expression?

They modulate histone acetylation, increasing gene availability for transcription. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a notable beneficial effect of synbiotics?

Increased counts of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera in the gut. Signup and view all the answers

What condition showed a significant reduction with probiotics in children specifically suffering from cystic fibrosis?

Pulmonary exacerbations Signup and view all the answers

How do prebiotics affect probiotic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract?

They help probiotics become more tolerant to environmental challenges. Signup and view all the answers

Probiotics have been shown to reduce the prevalence of which skin condition in infants when administered to pregnant women?

Eczema Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following metabolites have shown anti-inflammatory effects?

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following effects of probiotic administration has been documented in the therapy of intestinal infections?

Cure and reduced frequency of acute diarrhoea Signup and view all the answers

Regular use of probiotics has been linked to a reduction in which type of infections?

Respiratory tract infections Signup and view all the answers

What role do metabolites from gut microbiota play in human health?

They regulate the development and progression of multiple diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of combining prebiotics and probiotics?

To enhance the survival of probiotic microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of metabolic disorders, probiotics have been linked to improvements in which of the following markers?

Improved lipid profile Signup and view all the answers

What immune function is associated with the use of prebiotics?

Increased secretion of immunoglobulin A (IgA). Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the key therapeutic strategies for local inflammation?

Incorporation of gut microbiota-associated metabolites. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Prebiotics, Probiotics and Gut Microbiome Modulation

Prebiotics and probiotics are used to modulate the gut microbiome.
Not all dietary benefits are accurate or universal.
Modulation is possible through dietary approaches and/or therapeutic interventions.

Therapeutic Strategies

Therapeutic strategies for gut microbiota modulation include:
- Prebiotics
- Probiotics
- Synbiotics
- FMT
- Phage
- miRNA

Probiotic Considerations

Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer health benefits.
Probiotics are used to restore/establish a balanced microbiota.
Pathogens are beneficial microorganisms.
Major probiotic genera include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Bacillus and Saccharomyces.

Probiotic Strain Selection Criteria

Safety:
- Human or animal origin
- History of safe use
- Precise identification (phenotype and genotype)
- Absence of genes for antibiotic resistance
- Absence of association with infectious disease
- No adverse effects
Functionality:
- Competitiveness with existing gut microbiota
- Ability to survive and remain active in the gut
- Resistance to stomach acids and enzymes
- Antagonistic activity towards pathogens
- Adherence to gut lining
Technological Usability:
- Easy production and high biomass
- Viability and stability during processing
- High storage tolerance
- Maintaining sensory quality (for food products)
- Genetic stability
- Resistance to bacteriophages

Probiotic Microorganisms Used in Human Nutrition

A list of specific probiotic microorganisms is provided, including various Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species, along with other lactic acid and other microorganisms.

Mechanisms of Beneficial Effects

Antagonism through antimicrobial substances
Competition with pathogens for nutrients
Immunomodulation of the host
Positive effects on metabolism
Inhibition of bacterial toxin production

Probiotics and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Probiotics can lead to remission in ulcerative colitis.
Probiotics have no demonstrable positive effect on Crohn's disease.
Probiotics improve lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.

Probiotics and Cancer

Animal studies suggest probiotics may reduce colorectal cancer risk.
The same effect hasn't been confirmed in clinical trials yet.
Probiotics can alleviate gastrointestinal disorders seen in cancer patients.

Probiotics and Diarrhea & Infections

Saccharomyces boulardii is effective in treating acute diarrhea.
Probiotics are effective in treating several diarrheal types and infections.

Probiotics and Extraintestinal Infections

Regular probiotic use can reduce vaginitis.
Probiotics reduce respiratory tract infections and pulmonary exacerbations in cystic fibrosis.
Probiotics reduce nosocomial infections.

Probiotics and Metabolic Disorders

Probiotic administration can reduce BMI, arterial blood pressure, CRP values, and improve lipid profiles and insulin sensitivity in obese individuals.
Probiotics reduce blood glucose, HbA1C, LDL, and total cholesterol in type 2 diabetes.

Probiotics and Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)

Probiotic administration to pregnant women and their infants reduces eczema prevalence in infants.
Probiotics improve AD severity by altering IFN-γ and IL-10 ratios.

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are non-digestible food components that selectively nourish beneficial colonic microorganisms.
Prebiotic selection criteria include resistance to digestion, fermentation by gut microbiota, and benefits for host health.

Prebiotic Examples

Common prebiotics include fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), inulin, xylooligosaccharides (XOS), lactitol, lactosucrose, lactulose, and soy oligosaccharides, transgalactooligosaccharides.

Synbiotics

Synbiotics combine prebiotics and probiotics to enhance probiotic survival and proliferation in the GI tract.
Synbiotics are indicated to improve tolerance to various environmental conditions.

Synbiotic Examples

Synbiotics comprise different types of probiotics and prebiotics (e.g., Lactobacillus species plus inulin or fructooligosaccharides).

Beneficial Effects of Synbiotics

Increased Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium counts.
Improved hepatic function (especially in cirrhosis).
Enhanced immunomodulation.
Reduced incidence of nosocomial infections.

Gut Microbiota Metabolites

Gut microbiota-associated metabolites are key regulators of diseases and therapeutic targets.
Examples of such metabolites are SCFAs, which can have anti-inflammatory, mood-boosting, and neuroprotective effects.

Other Novel Approaches

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an extracellular matrix component influencing inflammation.
Nanomaterials are emerging as potential tools for targeting microorganisms and their metabolites in the gut for various applications.

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Description

Test your knowledge on prebiotics and probiotics in human nutrition. This quiz covers their composition, health benefits, sources, and effects. Challenge yourself to see how well you understand these essential components of gut health!