What are synbiotics? 

By Definition: SYNBIOTICS “Are a mixture, comprising of live microorganisms and substrate(s) selectively utilised by host microorganisms, that confers a health benefit on the host (that’s you)”.(1)

• Synbiotics provide a unique way to promote the health of the gutbiome and increase microbiome diversity.
• Synbiotics are formed when multi strain probiotics and a carefully selected prebiotic substrate work together in a unique and synergistic way to deliver healthy bacteria growth to the gut and help increase overall gut diversity.

Given the effects of prebiotics and probiotics in the gut microbiome, yielding a healthier microbiome and immuno-modulatory properties, and the synergism between these agents, the use of synbiotics to treat many disorders is in this context, strongly supports as a powerful strategy for manipulating the microbial composition and immune responses of the host. Substantial literature is accumulating on prebiotics and probiotics used in combination for the management of several chronic diseases states and this literature is growing. (2)

(1) Swanson, K.S., Gibson, G.R., Hutkins, R. et al. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) consensus statement on the definition and scope of synbiotics. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 17, 687–701 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-020-0344-2

(2) Vieira A, Teixeira M, Martins F, (2013) The Role of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Inducing Gut Immunity. Frontiers in Immunology Volume 4

What is a probiotic? 

The scientific definition of a probiotic is a live microorganism that can offer health benefits to the host (that’s you) when taken in adequate amounts.(1) Beneficial microbes can be found in fermented foods such as yoghurt, kifir, sauerkraut and kimchi.(2)  By supplementing with probiotics, you can choose the type and strength of probiotic specific to your health needs.  For a supplement to be called a ‘probiotic’ in Australia, it should contain live bacteria. (3)

(1) Sanders ME. How do we know when something called “probiotic” is really a probiotic? A guideline for consumers and health care professionals. Functional Food Reviews. 2009;1(1):3-12.

(2) Marco ML, Heeney D, Binda S, Cifelli CJ, Cotter PD, Foligné B, Gänzle M, Kort R, Pasin G, Pihlanto
A, Smid EJ. Health benefits of fermented foods: microbiota and beyond. Current opinion in biotechnology. 2017 Apr 1;44:94-102.

(3) Australian Government Department of Health. Therapeutic Goods Association.  Australian Regulatory Guidelines for Advertising Therapeutic Goods (ARGATG). Advertising Interface Products. Australain Government. [Updated October 2020, Cited 17/3/22].https://www.tga.gov.au/book-page/advertising-interface-products

What is a prebiotic and what are the benefits of the prebiotic in Gutbiome’s Advanced Synbiotic formula? 

By Definition: PREBIOTICS are described as “a selectively fermented ingredient that results in specific changes in the composition and/or activity of the gastrointestinal microbiota, thus conferring benefit(s) upon host health” (1)

Our Gutbiome Advanced Synbiotic formula contains a very unique precision prebiotic made from golden kiwi fruit that feeds the indigenous healthy bacteria in our gut whilst not feeding the bad bacteria (a significant difference compared to other prebiotics like inulin).  Our prebiotic has won best prebiotic of the year with Nutraingredients for three consecutive years for it’s very unique ability to feed a very important bacteria in our gut called Faecalibacterium Prausnitzii (F. prau).

Why is this so important?

Because F.prau is the most abundant healthy bacteria in the human body (amounting to up to 15% compared to other bacteria) and is seen in high abundance in healthy individuals with a strong immune system so we really want to make sure these microorganisms are flourishing! In contrast, this bacteria is seen to be depleted in immune compromised individuals with gut dysbiosis (unbalanced gut flora).  F. prau can not be replicated as a supplement because it will not survive outside the human body, however our unique award winning prebiotic ingredient Livaux derived naturally from golden kiwi fruit has been scientifically proven to increases it’s growth, without feeding other harmful bacteria.

 Davani-Davari D, Negahdaripour M, Karimzadeh I, Seifan M, Mohkam M, Masoumi SJ, Berenjian A, Ghasemi Y. Prebiotics: Definition, Types, Sources, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications. Foods. 2019 Mar 9;8(3):92. doi: 10.3390/foods8030092. PMID: 30857316; PMCID: PMC6463098.

2What is a multi strain formula and are they better than single strains? 

Multi-strain probiotics are composed of more than one species or strains of bacteria (combining a mixture of beneficial probiotic strains) and sometimes, including some fungal species with benefits to human health. The mechanisms by which multi-strain probiotics exert their effects include cell to cell communications, interactions with the host tissues, and modulation of the immune system. Multi-strain probiotics applications include alleviation of disease conditions, inhibition of pathogens, and restoration of the gastrointestinal microbiome. (1)

A scientific research paper compared the results of studies that looked at the effects of supplements containing multiple strains. The paper found that multiple mixtures of probiotic strains had beneficial effects on multiple health conditions, while boosting overall gut and immune function.  This paper concluded that, multi-strain probiotics appear to show greater efficacy than single strains, including strains that are components of the mixtures themselves. (2)

(1) Kwoji ID, Aiyegoro OA, Okpeku M, Adeleke MA. Multi-Strain Probiotics: Synergy among Isolates Enhances Biological Activities. Biology (Basel). 2021 Apr 13;10(4):322. doi: 10.3390/biology10040322. PMID: 33924344; PMCID: PMC8070017.

(2) Chapman CM, Gibson GR, Rowland I. Health benefits of probiotics: are mixtures more effective than single strains? Eur J Nutr. 2011 Feb;50(1):1-17. doi: 10.1007/s00394-010-0166-z. Epub 2011 Jan 13. PMID: 21229254

Our products can be stored at room temperature, up to 25°C. It can also be stored in the refrigerator if there may be a chance that the product will not be used up within the recommended 30 days. We recommend refrigeration after opening to maintain freshness.

We understand that premium quality synbiotics may be a new concept to some people and in order for these live microrganisms to exert their power of influence over your gutbiome, they must be able to reach it in good viable shape, and for this reason we want to share with you, the best care approach to enable your microorganisms to thrive and remain in good condition once purchased and after opening.

Our synbiotics are stored under controlled temperatures at below 25 degrees C for guaranteed shelf life and viability.  Whilst they do not require refrigeration and can withstand minimal impact during brief transit when temperatures are slightly warmer, the live microorganisms are delicate when exposed to moisture and heat and require appropriate care after opening and whilst using them.  They are living micro creatures after-all and will thrive best in the right living/storage conditions as do most living things.  Our general customer care guidelines for our synbiotics follow:

HEAT: Heat can reduce potency

• Our product is shelf stable when stored below 25 Degrees C.
• Avoid heat above 25 Degrees C and do not add your synbiotic to hot porridge or hot drinks as this will kill the beneficial bacteria.
• Exposure to extended heat over time during storage will commence the reduction of viable CFU count and affect their therapeutic potential.
• Short trips during transit (postal journeys) will have little to no impact on the product but we recommend customers select express options in periods where shipping companies experience delays due to floods or other circumstances.

Moisture: Our powder formula is sensitive to moisture, therefore if not handled properly, it can cause the product to clump, harden and deactivate the strains – Dispose the product if this occurs.

• Only use the spoon provided and avoid moisture from other wet spoons or scoops held with wet fingers.
• Do not leave the lid off the container when sitting on the kitchen bench to avoid moisture that may cause the powder to harden in the jar.
• Keep the screw lid tightened at all times.
• Moisture will activate probiotics.  We don’t want the probiotics to be activated until they reach the mouth where moisture will activate them to become live bacteria in the body.

Care Suggestions

• We recommend storing in the refrigerator after opening to maintain freshness. Whilst Gutbiome is stable under 25 Degrees C, we recommend refrigerating them once you receive them as you can not always control the temperature and they do maintain their freshness better in the fridge after opening.
• Do not use if your product has expired or been exposed to moisture or heat causing product clumping or hardening.
• Formulation methods have been carefully evaluated to account for the number of colony forming units required to maintain label CFU count for shelf stability and efficacy.

Best consume within 30 days after opening.

Most supplements are measured in milligrams. Probiotics, on the other hand, are measured by the Colony Forming Unit count (CFU). This refers to the amount of viable, live bacteria that are capable of dividing and forming colonies. CFU counts are generally stated in millions & billions and the right CFU strength will indicate the strain’s ability (according to scientific research) to cause a beneficial effect.  Scientific studies are only relevant to the strains used as per the strength of the CFU indicated in the clinical studies.

Please refer to the expiry date stamped on each individual product. Most products have a shelf life of up to 2 years.

Our products are formulated, blended, packaged and quality tested in Australia. Gutbiome Pty Ltd is an Australian owned company.

Yes, all our products are locally tested at different time points throughout the 24 month shelf life for each batch and in accordance with the guidelines of the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Does Gutbiome Advanced Synbiotic contain dairy ingredients or derivatives?

Our Gutbiome Advanced formula has no added dairy ingredients and is considered suitable for people with dairy intolerance.  On a technical level, some probiotic strains in our Advanced Synbiotic formula are cultured on a base medium substrate derived from dairy, however the proteins in question derived from these dairy substrates are virtually expended during the fermentation process before they are packaged or encapsulated.  Therefore there may still be a small chance that the final product will contain a minuscule amount of residual dairy that is not significant enough to cause concern for people who are dairy intolerant.  However, importantly we do not encourage individuals who have a severe dairy allergy to supplement our Gutbiome Advanced Synbiotic formula.