Pivoting the Science of Biotics for Clinical Applications

Advancements in microbiome research have highlighted the distinct yet interconnected roles of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics in promoting and maintaining overall health. While each biotic serves a specific function, they all contribute to gut health, immunity, and overall well-being through shared mechanisms including gut barrier reinforcement, pathogen exclusion, immunomodulation, metabolic activities, signaling pathways, and effects on other organs. These underscore the various clinical applications of biotics, not only in the gastrointestinal tract but also its systemic effects through interaction with different organ systems and its potential to improve health by shaping the gut microbiome and immunity. Recent studies explore the potential synergy between human milk oligosaccharides as prebiotics and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infanti as probiotics in supporting infant and gut health. The synergy offers protective effects that foster a microbiome that supports digestion and immune development.