Gut Microbiome Quiz: Explore Prebiotics & Probiotics

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.

Description

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.