The intestines of an adult host a large number of different bacterial species. These are mainly present in the lower part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and form a symbiotic relationship with their human home. Several current studies describe the way the gut microbiota communicates with the skin as one of the main regulators of the gut-skin axis. The main focus of this research is to explore its potential influence on skin differentiation and cellular hornification, the modulation of the cutaneous immune response in various diseases and how this communication can be utilised to control various skin conditions.

The influence of partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) fiber on the intestinal microbiota was analyzed in the latest issue of the magazine AgroFOOD Industry Hi Tech, vol. 32(1). Dr. Stefan Siebrecht (Managing Director) and Laura Ingenlath (Quality Manager) from Taiyo GmbH, discuss the findings of two recent studies to assess the role and effects of partially hydrolzyed guar gum (PHGG) as a prebiotic dietary fiber.

Gut bacteria and fertility. That there might be a connection between the gut microbiome and women’s fertility was recently analysed in a preliminary study. In the pilot study, Japanese researchers analysed the gut microbiomes of 18 fertile and 18 infertile women. They found that the infertile women had different gut microbiome compositions compared with fertile women, indicating the gut microbiome may play a role in fertility.