How to Select a Probiotic and the Future of the Microbiome with Raja Dhir
Jan 17, 2024
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Raja Dhir, co-founder and co-CEO of Seed Health, discusses the pivotal role of the gut microbiome in overall health. He shares insights on the necessity of personalized probiotics and the intricate balance of gut bacteria. Raja emphasizes the impact of diet on microbial health and addresses the effectiveness of various probiotic strains. He also dives into recent advancements in microbiome research and the future of personalized nutrition, showcasing the importance of tailored solutions for gut health. A fascinating exploration of science meeting wellness!
Understanding the microbiome's influence challenges traditional medical practices and opens up new possibilities for personalized medicine.
Assessing the purity, potency, and efficacy of probiotics is crucial for selecting the most effective ones.
Microbiome testing is still in its early stages and should be approached with caution, considering the individual's overall health and specific conditions.
Deep dives
Understanding the Gut Microbiome's Impact on Health
The gut microbiome has been connected to various organ systems and is crucial for overall health. Research has shown that gut microbes play a role in immune health, autoimmune diseases, allergies, neurodegenerative diseases, mood disorders, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and more. Understanding the microbiome's influence on health challenges traditional medical practices and opens up new possibilities for personalized medicine.
Probiotic Usage and Considerations
Probiotics are live organisms that confer health benefits to the host. There are targeted probiotics designed for specific indications, such as weight loss, mood improvement, or skin health. For a broader impact, a consortium of bacteria with multiple strains is recommended. It is crucial to assess the purity, potency, and efficacy of probiotics. Purity ensures that only the listed bacteria are present, without contaminants. Potency describes the number of viable bacteria that reach the colon alive, indicating the potential for metabolic activity. Efficacy examines the scientific evidence behind the strains and their specific effects on the body.
The Challenges of Microbiome Testing
Microbiome testing is still in its early stages and can be misleading or premature. Standardized sequencing methods are essential for accurate results. It is crucial to sequence the microbiome genes and analyze the metabolites produced by the bacteria. Currently, microbiome diagnostics are not recommended for general use and can lead to misleading outcomes. Taking into account the individual's overall health and specific conditions is crucial when considering microbiome testing.
The Role of Consortia and Probiotic Design
Consortia-based probiotics, consisting of diverse strains designed for specific effects, offer more comprehensive benefits. Rather than relying on single strains, a mixture of bacteria from similar species is preferred for broader spectrum effects. Considerations of purity, potency, and efficacy should guide probiotic selection. Transparent labeling and testing methods ensure that the probiotic contains the listed strains and can survive the digestive process to reach the colon. These measures offer more reliable results and maximize the potential benefits of probiotic supplementation.
The Benefits of Pomegranate Polyphenols
Pomegranate polyphenols, such as ellagic acid and punicalagins, have a significant impact on the gut microbiome. These polyphenols are not easily absorbed into the bloodstream, making them available to the gut microbiome. They are metabolized by bacteria into powerful secondary and tertiary metabolites, which have various health benefits. Research shows that pomegranate polyphenols have a prebiotic effect, enriching the gut microbiome and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. These metabolites are also responsible for regulating mitochondrial activity and can be measured in the blood and urine. Additionally, studies have found that pomegranate polyphenols can help restore the gut microbiome after a course of antibiotics and improve gut barrier health.
The Potential of Probiotics in Gut Health
Probiotics, like the multi-strain symbiotic DSO1, have shown promising results in improving various aspects of gut health. In a trial conducted with individuals suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the administration of DSO1 significantly reduced abdominal pain compared to a placebo. It is believed that DSO1 signals to the host immune system, leading to the downregulation of inflammatory cascades responsible for abdominal pain. DSO1 has also demonstrated benefits beyond the gut, including enhancing gut-skin access, lowering cholesterol reuptake, and potentially reducing trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels. The field of probiotics is rapidly evolving, and personalized approaches using bioinformatics, machine learning, and large data sets are paving the way for precision probiotics tailored to individual needs and health goals.
Raja Dhir is co-founder and co-CEO of Seed Health, a microbiome science company pioneering innovations in probiotics and living medicines to impact human and planetary health. With unique expertise in translating scientific research for product innovation, Raja guides the development of Seed Health’s platform to enable rapid, efficient advancement of microbial research from discovery to market. He also leads the company’s academic collaborations, working with institutions like MIT, Harvard University, Stanford University, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), and the National Institute of Health (NIH) to drive innovation across the fields of microbiology, genetics, immunology, and ecology. He co-chairs Seed’s Scientific Board –an interdisciplinary group of leading scientists, researchers, and clinicians–with Dr. Jacques Ravel.
Raja also oversees Seed's environmental endeavors under SeedLabs and directs LUCA Biologics, a venture targeting the vaginal microbiome for unmet needs in urogenital and reproductive health.
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In this episode we discuss (audio version / Apple Subscriber version):
The central role the gut plays in our overall health (4:50 / 3:04)
How the makeup of our gut microbiome comes to be (11:25 / 9:40)
Why fiber is critical to reaping the benefits of akkermansia (12:59 / 11:13)
The explosion of research on the gut microbiome (20:22 / 18:44)
Microbiome testing (29:09 / 25:15)
What are probiotics and should you take them? (33:41 / 29:47)
Selecting a probiotic (42:45 / 38:49)
Prebiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics (53:19 / 49:25)
How antibiotics affect the gut microbiome (58:38 / 54:44)
