Hello and Welcome to the Microbiome Maverick Podcast, the only place where microbiome science meets real-world applications. I am your host Dr. Amine Zorgani, a microbiome expert on a mission to prevent the human microbiome from extinction!
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Gianfranco, Chief Scientific Officer at BioGaia, for my podcast "The Microbiome Mavericks." He shared great insights that can help us better understand probiotics.
Gianfranco explained how he became fascinated with gut microbiome interactions with human health, which led him into the probiotics industry in 2005. His goal is to study how certain bacteria can positively influence health.
A probiotic must be a specifically identified strain, clinically proven to provide a health benefit to the host. For example, L. reuteri DSM 17938 has significant clinical evidence supporting its ability to reduce colic in infants. Probiotics "speak different languages" with our immune systems, so strain specificity really matters.
You will also learn that the most important factor in a probiotic form (capsule, tablet, drops) is maintaining the clinically proven effective concentration. The delivery matrix depends on what's convenient for the age and needs of the consumer.
The research Gianfranco shared on next-generation probiotic F. prausnitzii was fascinating. This strain is missing in certain diseases but helps produce beneficial metabolites. His team found a way to train it to resist oxygen, allowing it to be delivered in supplement form to people missing these microbes. Exciting stuff!
Enjoy the episode, and please follow and share! Happy to hear your thoughts and stay positive!
You can find more about BioGaia AB here: https://www.biogaia.com/
You can find more about The Microbiome Mavericks here: www.microbiomemavericks.com
If you are interested in speaking, partnering, or sponsoring the show you can reach out directly to dr.amine@microbiomemavericks.com