Biobanks of human excrement, can you believe it? The idea may sound crazy, but it's not...
Imagine a huge library with shelves full of... faecal samples. Does that sound far-fetched?
In any case, it doesn't shock microbiologists, who are becoming increasingly dedicated to the large-scale archiving of our excrement in gigantic biobanks.
The proof is in the growing number of projects around the world aimed at collecting our faeces.
Back in 2008, the Human Microbiome Project (HMP), initiated by the US National Institutes of Health, collected biological samples from over 200 volunteers.
Eleven years later, the Million Microbiome of Humans Project (MMHP) is following in its footsteps, with a highly ambitious objective: to collect 1 million human microbial samples, including faecal matter, from various countries and continents, with a view to building the world's largest database.
Similar national-level initiatives have been developed, including American Gut (United States, 2012), Chinese Gut (China, 2017) and, more recently, French Gut (France, 2022).
But why is there such a buzz about our excrement?
Because through this initiative, researchers hope to collect, analyze and preserve the billions of intestinal microorganisms that colonise the human tract.
In detail, there are several scientific reasons for this:
The range of pro- and postbiotics is expanding every year to target ever more specific problems.
In the field of vision, for example, the inactivated form of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei has been much in the news. Research suggests that it could modulate the inflammatory reactions induced by visual fatigue through stimulation of the eye's immune cells (the Vision PostBiotic supplement is based on the proprietary postbiotic strain Lacticaseibacillus paracasei KW3110, supported by in vitro and in vivo scientific studies) (5).
Another prominent issue in 'biotics' is the fight against the antibiotic-resistant Helicobacter pylori bacterium, responsible for almost 80% of peptic ulcers. Researchers have succeeded in isolating an inactivated strain of Lactobacillus reuteri called DMS 17648, capable of co-aggregating with the pathogen to facilitate its expulsion via the digestive tract (see H. Pylori Fight, or its advanced version H. Pylori Fight Advanced Formula) (6).
The field of slimming is also benefiting from these prodigious advances. Several studies conducted on obese subjects have reported the potential benefits of Lactobacillus gasseri supplementation in reducing weight, waist and hip circumference, and visceral fat mass (7-8). Certain plant bacteria, such as Lactobacillus fermentum strains K7-Lb1, K8-Lb1 and K11-Lb3, have also shown promising effects on regulating body weight in individuals with excess fat around the abdomen (our L. Gasseri & SlimBiotics® synergy combines precisely these 4 probiotics in a single formula) (9).
In the pioneering sector of longevity, it's impossible not to mention urolithin A. This metabolite, synthesised by intestinal bacteria after ingesting foods rich in ellagitannins and ellagic acid, such as red fruits, is thought to help optimize cellular energy production by supporting mitochondrial recycling (mitophagy) (10). It has been the subject of numerous studies into skin aging, joint degeneration and muscle recovery (made from pomegranate extract, Urolithin A has been tested to guarantee superior purity) (11-13).
Finally, it should be pointed out that to maintain a good overall intestinal balance, it is still particularly beneficial to turn to a multi-strain probiotic that will provide a wide range of 'friendly' bacteria (by combining 20 scientifically recognized strains, Full Spectrum Probiotic adapts remarkably effectively to the inter-individual variability of microbiota) (14).
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