Our bacteria are more personal than we thought, Stanford Medicine-led study shows
The International Society of Microbiota commented and provided scientific insights on the recent Stanford Medicine study which monitored 86 individuals for up to six years, examining the bacteria in their gut, mouth, nose, and skin to unravel the secrets of a healthy microbiome.
According to ISM, the study led by Stanford Medicine highlights the highly individualized nature of each person’s microbiome, suggesting that a one-size-fits-all approach to probiotic supplementation may not be the most effective strategy for everyone.
The key takeaways from the study that relate to the use of probiotics include:
- Individualized Microbiomes: Since each person’s microbiome is unique and influenced by factors such as genetics, diet, and the immune system, the response to the same probiotic strains may vary significantly from one individual to another.
- Stability and Health: The study suggests that the stability of an individual’s microbiome is linked to their health. Probiotic supplements could potentially disrupt this stability if they are not well matched to the individual’s existing microbial ecosystem.
- Interconnected Ecosystem: The microbiome’s interconnected nature across different body sites implies that altering the microbiome in one area (e.g., the gut) could have unexpected effects on other areas (e.g., the skin, mouth, or nose).
Given these considerations, while probiotics can be beneficial in some contexts, such as restoring gut flora balance after antibiotic use or aiding in certain gastrointestinal conditions, their use should ideally be personalized. This means:
- Personalized Probiotic Selection: Choosing probiotic strains based on an individual’s specific health needs, microbiome composition, and other personal factors may be more effective than a generalized approach.
- Consultation with Healthcare Providers: It’s important for individuals to consult healthcare providers before starting any probiotic regimen, especially those with underlying health conditions or those taking other medications.
- Further Research Needed: More research is necessary to understand how to best utilize probiotics for personalized health interventions. This includes identifying which strains are most beneficial for specific conditions and how to tailor probiotic therapies to an individual’s microbiome.
In summary, while supplementing with the same probiotics for everyone might offer some benefits, a more tailored approach, taking into account the unique composition of each person’s microbiome, could enhance the efficacy and safety of probiotics.
Photo Credits: Stanford Medicine
© News Copyright: International Society of Microbiota (ISM)
