Ideal Synbiotics: Pharmacokinetic, Pharmacodynamic, and Safety Assessment

Functional foods are becoming increasingly popular as people become more interested in maintaining their health and preventing diseases. Synbiotics are a type of functional food that combines probiotics (beneficial bacteria) with prebiotics (nondigestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria). This combination can help improve the balance of bacteria in the gut, which can positively impact overall health. Other functional foods, such as those that are high in antioxidants or fiber, can also provide health benefits when consumed as part of a healthy diet. Synbiotics in one’s diet are beneficial for the gut microbiome. These substances can be found in a range of foods, such as raw vegetables and fruit, fermented pickles, and dairy products, as well as in pharmaceutical formulas and functional foods. This chapter summarizes the current understanding of how probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics can impact human health based on available information.