10 Questions
What are two main groups of bacteria that dominate the gut microbiome?
Firmicutes and Proteobacteria
What are some sources of naturally occurring prebiotic fiber?
Whole grains
What are probiotics?
Live microorganisms that offer a health benefit
What role do short-chain fatty acids play?
Communicating with the brain
What is the general consensus about fiber intake?
Most people don't eat enough fiber
What is true about prebiotic and probiotic supplements?
They are tested for safety before being marketed
What is the main difference between prebiotics and probiotics?
Prebiotics are food components while probiotics are live microorganisms
What is true about high-fiber diets?
They promote the presence of bacteria with a higher capacity to ferment prebiotic fiber
What are some examples of prebiotic ingredients found in packaged foods?
Inulin and oligosaccharides
What is the purpose of the gut microbiome?
To provide a home to trillions of microbes
Study Notes
- The gut microbiome is home to trillions of microbes, collectively called the gut microbiome.
- The gut microbiome is dominated by two main groups of bacteria: Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, with much smaller numbers of Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Actinobacteria, and Fusobacteria.
- Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer a health benefit - for example, by helping to enhance or restore health to our gut microbiome.
- Prebiotics are food components used by host microbes, and therefore they offer a health benefit too.
- Vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes like peas and beans are among the best sources of naturally occurring prebiotic fiber.
- Ingredients in some packaged foods, like inulin and oligosaccharides, are also classified as prebiotics.
- In general, most people don’t eat enough fiber.
- Short-chain fatty acids play a role in many aspects of our health, including promoting calcium absorption, relieving constipation and diarrhea, and communicating with the brain.
- Plant-based or high-fiber diets are likely to promote the presence of bacteria with a higher capacity to ferment prebiotic fiber, which in turn may lead to increased short-chain fatty acid production.
- Prebiotic and probiotic supplements haven't been conclusively proven to have health benefits, but some have been associated with infections.
- Currently, probiotic supplements are only tested for safety before they are marketed, and some probiotic strains may be harmful for some patients.
Do you know what the gut microbiome is and what it does for your body? If you don't, this quiz is for you! You'll learn about the gut microbiome, what it consists of, and what role it plays in your overall health. You'll also learn about probiotics and prebiotics, and their potential health benefits.
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