Modulating the Microbiome for Health

With recent advances in the understanding of the human microbiome, the natural products sector is seeing rapid innovation in effective, nonpharmaceutical solutions for digestive and overall well-being. By modulating microbial communities with specifically engineered pre- and probiotics, life sciences companies are harnessing the power of this “forgotten organ” to affect a broad range of physical outcomes.

Maintaining general digestive health is, of course, crucial to the body’s function, enabling the conversion of food into the energy and nutrients needed for everyday life as well as avoiding gastric illnesses. However, while the public is widely aware of the importance of maintaining gut health through a balanced diet and regular exercise, increasingly busy lifestyles often lead good intentions to fall by the wayside.

Products designed to complement digestive health goals are therefore hugely popular with today’s informed yet time-poor consumer, offering convenient, hassle-free support. One of the most exciting areas of development is microbiome modulation, combining science with nutrition to deliver viable nutraceutical alternatives.

Expanding beyond the traditional supplement market, the sector now presents a wide variety of microbiome-focused functional foods that help people take control of their health management from the inside, out.

This is an excerpt from the article, “Modulating the Microbiome to Transform Digestive Health.” To read the complete article, download INSIDER’s Digestive Health Digital Magazine.

Stephen O’Hara, CEO of OptiBiotix, is a scientist with more than 50 publications, 60 patents and chapters in a number of books. Having worked in the health care and biotechnological industries for more than 30 years, he has a wealth of experience through previous directorship roles with major public and private companies, including the NHS and 3M. He founded life sciences company OptiBiotix in 2012 to develop compounds which modulate the human microbiome and deliver revolutionary health solutions.