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  • The human microbiome
  • Probiotics
  • Life stages
  • Chr. Hansen
Welcome to our world of probiotics Explore probiotics and the human microbiome in 2 minutes
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The human microbiome is the collection of microorganisms living in us and on us
What are probiotics? Learn more about what probiotics are and how they work
What are probiotics
Probiotic bacteria are part of the human microbiome They may be beneficial to our health

Your microbiome and your health are intimately connected
Explore how
Our microbiome evolves over the course of our lifetime and affects our health

The microbiome is affected by our everyday world

Check out the effect of …

Early colonization Diet Antibiotics Stress
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Early colonization

During natural birth, breastfeeding and general nursing of the infant, bacteria are transferred from the mother to the infant. This helps establishing the early microbiome in the infant. If this transfer of bacteria is disrupted e.g. by caesarean birth, or early cessation of breastfeeding, the colonization pattern may change. Studies have shown that the microbiome may influence the infant&rsquo;s immune, metabolic and neurological programming. A disturbed colonization may have effects on the general health of the infant from birth through adulthood.<br />

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Diet

Diet plays a significant role in shaping the microbiome and dietary changes can induce large bacterial shifts in short time. The relative content and source of proteins, carbohydrates and fat in the diet all influences the composition and functioning of the microbiota. The microbiome may affect host immune and metabolic parameters, with potential implications for human health.<br />

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Antibiotics

Antibiotic use may cause severe disturbances to the gut microbiome. The immediate effect is a reduction in bacterial richness and total biomass including beneficial bacteria such as <em>lactobacilli </em>and <em>bifidobacteria</em>. The return to baseline levels may be slow and repeated antibiotic courses aggravate this. When the normal microbiome is disturbed, antibiotic-resistant and pathogenic species may proliferate causing inflammation, barrier disruption and intestinal damage.

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Stress

Stress has been shown to influence the gut microbiome via the gut-brain axis. Among other modifications, acute and long-term stress reduces the abundance of health beneficial <em>Lactobacillus </em>and <em>Bifidobacterium</em>. Such microbiome shifts may result in inflammation, increased gut permeability, immunomodulation, and intestinal damage.<br />

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Life stages infants

Babies & Young children

The shaping of our microbiome starts at birth when the baby can be seeded with bacteria from the mother and the surrounding environment. During the first months of life, bifidobacteria tend to dominate the microbiota, but many fluctuations are seen. The microbiome has been shown in some studies to be closely linked to the infant’s immune, metabolic, and neurological programming, which may affect the health and well-being of the child, from birth to adulthood.

Respiratory health infants Cesarean Colic Pregnancy Diarrhea Probiotics definition
Life stages adult

Adult

In adults, the microbiome is fully established and is usually characterized by a great richness and diversity of bacteria. Each individual has their own microbiota profile. The adult microbiome has been linked closely with many aspects of an individual’s health, including maintaining normal function of both the gastrointestinal and immune systems. The adult microbiome is relatively stable, but is sensitive to lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, or antibiotic use, to name just a few.

Immune support adults Probiotics definition Myths Quality
Life stages pregnant

Pregnant

During pregnancy, progesterone levels increase dramatically and this hormone reduces gut bacterial diversity and actually stimulates bifidobacteria and other types of bacteria. Bacteria from the mother help seed the infant microbiome during vaginal birth and breastfeeding.

Quality Myths Probiotics definition Immune support adults
Life stages elderly

Elderly

The gut microbiota of elderly subjects is characterized by a reduced bacterial diversity, shifts in the dominant species, and a decline in beneficial microorganisms such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. These changes are the result of a gradual process associated with changes in the gut, as well as dietary patterns.

Probiotics definition Myths Quality Immune support adults
Life stages

The shaping of our microbiome starts at birth when the baby can be seeded with bacteria from the mother and the surrounding environment. During the first months of life, bifidobacteria tend to dominate the microbiota, but many fluctuations are seen. The microbiome has been shown in some studies to be closely linked to the infant’s immune, metabolic, and neurological programming, which may affect the health and well-being of the child, from birth to adulthood.

Respiratory health infants Cesarean Colic Pregnancy Diarrhea Probiotics definition

In adults, the microbiome is fully established and is usually characterized by a great richness and diversity of bacteria. Each individual has their own microbiota profile. The adult microbiome has been linked closely with many aspects of an individual’s health, including maintaining normal function of both the gastrointestinal and immune systems. The adult microbiome is relatively stable, but is sensitive to lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, or antibiotic use, to name just a few.

Immune support adults Probiotics definition Myths Quality

During pregnancy, progesterone levels increase dramatically and this hormone reduces gut bacterial diversity and actually stimulates bifidobacteria and other types of bacteria. Bacteria from the mother help seed the infant microbiome during vaginal birth and breastfeeding.

Quality Myths Probiotics definition Immune support adults

The gut microbiota of elderly subjects is characterized by a reduced bacterial diversity, shifts in the dominant species, and a decline in beneficial microorganisms such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. These changes are the result of a gradual process associated with changes in the gut, as well as dietary patterns.

Probiotics definition Myths Quality Immune support adults