The immune system is extraordinarily complex and efficient, capable of distinguishing pathogenic microorganisms from those that reside normally in our intestines, better known as gut microbiota. Unlike pathogenic microbes, the microbiota microorganisms are not attacked by our immune system due to the complex, dynamic interaction between these special microorganisms and the human organism itself. It is now recognized that the human immune system is closely dependent on the instructions it continuously receives from its microbiota, which plays a key role in the development, training and functioning of our defenses. Furthermore, it has also been repeatedly reported that regular physical activity combined with a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables, dairy products, nuts and fish can keep our immune system functioning properly. In addition, the aging process is somehow linked to a reduction in the ability to have an adequate immune response when needed. Many studies have shown that a disruption in the balance of the gut microbiota (called dysbiosis) can lead to major alterations in the immune system, thus promoting autoimmune diseases, allergies and diminished pathogen defenses. This is why it is important to maintain a healthy microbiota through three possible strategies: use of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics. Postbiotics consist of substances that act indirectly on the tissues of the host organism and/or on other bacterial strains, thus helping to convey the positive effects of the probiotics. It is important to emphasize that postbiotics do not contain live microorganisms and therefore have beneficial effects similar to those of probiotics without the risk of adverse reactions as may occur when taking live microorganisms. Among the most widely used and investigated substances in the literature is a natural yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which goes through a process of fermentation and drying. In several in-vitro studies, this dried fermentate has been shown to activate natural killer cells and provide immune support against colds, flu and allergies. This can be partly explained by the documented rapid effects on immune status, which generally occur within 1-2 hours after consumption. Human studies show that these substances may play a part in reducing the severity of viral infections of the respiratory tract and shortening the duration of the infection. Strengthening the microbiota, therefore, results in improved immune system capabilities. Taking postbiotics, therefore, could help improve the body’s response to viral respiratory tract infections and probably also play a role in defending against SARS-CoV-2. This review shows that Saccharomyces cerevisiae is not only effective and simple, but also virtually free of side-effects, which is why it is recommended both for people with impaired immunity and for the healthy, as it helps to strengthen the entire immune system and maintain perfect health.
Il sistema immunitario è un apparato straordinariamente complesso ed efficace, in grado di distinguere i microrganismi patogeni da quelli che risiedono normalmente nel nostro intestino, meglio noti come microbiota intestinale. I microrganismi appartenenti al microbiota non vengono attaccati dal nostro sistema immunitario, al contrario di quanto avviene per i microbi patogeni, grazie alla complessa e dinamica interazione tra questi speciali microrganismi e l’essere umano. A oggi è ormai riconosciuto che il sistema immunitario dell’uomo dipende strettamente dalle istruzioni che riceve continuamente dal proprio microbiota, il quale svolge un ruolo chiave nello sviluppo, addestramento e funzionamento delle nostre difese. Inoltre, è stato più volte riportato che un’attività fisica regolare combinata con una dieta equilibrata ricca di frutta e verdura, latticini, frutta secca e pesce siano in grado di mantenere il nostro sistema immunitario sempre efficiente. In aggiunta, il processo di invecchiamento è in qualche modo collegato a una riduzione della capacità di avere una risposta immunitaria adeguata quando necessario. Molti studi hanno dimostrato che un’alterazione dell’equilibrio del microbiota intestinale (detta disbiosi) può determinare importanti alterazioni del sistema immunitario, favorendo dunque l’insorgenza di patologie autoimmuni, allergie e riduzione delle difese contro gli agenti patogeni. Per questo è importante mantenere un microbiota sano attraverso tre possibili strategie: utilizzo di prebiotici, probiotici e postbiotici. I postbiotici sono composti da sostanze che vanno ad agire in maniera indiretta sui tessuti dell’organismo ospite e/o su altri ceppi batterici contribuendo in questo modo a veicolare gli effetti positivi dei probiotici stessi. È importante sottolineare che i postbiotici non contengono microrganismi vivi e hanno dunque effetti benefici sovrapponibili a quelli dei probiotici senza tuttavia avere il rischio di reazioni avverse come può accadere in caso di assunzione di microrganismi vivi. Tra le sostanze maggiormente utilizzate e studiate in letteratura troviamo un lievito naturale, il Saccharomyces cerevisiae, che passa attraverso un processo di fermentazione ed essiccazione. In diversi studi in vitro è stato dimostrato che questo fermentato essiccato attiva le cellule natural killer e fornisce supporto immunitario contro raffreddore, influenza e allergie. Ciò può essere in parte spiegato dai rapidi effetti documentati sullo stato immunitario, che generalmente avvengono entro 1-2 ore dopo il consumo. Gli studi effettuati sull’uomo, invece, evidenziano come queste sostanze possano avere un ruolo nel ridurre la severità delle infezioni virali del tratto respiratorio e nell’abbreviare la durata dell’infezione stessa. Rinforzare il microbiota, dunque, si traduce in un miglioramento delle capacità del sistema immunitario. Assumere post-biotici, quindi, potrebbe contribuire a migliorare la risposta del nostro organismo a infezioni virali del tratto respiratorio e probabilmente potrebbe avere un ruolo anche nella difesa da SARS-CoV-2. Questa revisione evidenzia quindi che l’assunzione di Saccharomyces cerevisiae oltre che efficace e semplice è priva virtualmente di effetti collaterali, per questo viene consigliata sia nei soggetti con alterazioni delle difese immunitarie, che in soggetti sani, dal momento che contribuisce a rinforzare l’intero sistema immunitario e a mantenere un perfetto stato di salute.
A step forward in the defense against infections: from gut microbiome to postbiotics
Parisi A;
2021-01-01
Abstract
The immune system is extraordinarily complex and efficient, capable of distinguishing pathogenic microorganisms from those that reside normally in our intestines, better known as gut microbiota. Unlike pathogenic microbes, the microbiota microorganisms are not attacked by our immune system due to the complex, dynamic interaction between these special microorganisms and the human organism itself. It is now recognized that the human immune system is closely dependent on the instructions it continuously receives from its microbiota, which plays a key role in the development, training and functioning of our defenses. Furthermore, it has also been repeatedly reported that regular physical activity combined with a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables, dairy products, nuts and fish can keep our immune system functioning properly. In addition, the aging process is somehow linked to a reduction in the ability to have an adequate immune response when needed. Many studies have shown that a disruption in the balance of the gut microbiota (called dysbiosis) can lead to major alterations in the immune system, thus promoting autoimmune diseases, allergies and diminished pathogen defenses. This is why it is important to maintain a healthy microbiota through three possible strategies: use of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics. Postbiotics consist of substances that act indirectly on the tissues of the host organism and/or on other bacterial strains, thus helping to convey the positive effects of the probiotics. It is important to emphasize that postbiotics do not contain live microorganisms and therefore have beneficial effects similar to those of probiotics without the risk of adverse reactions as may occur when taking live microorganisms. Among the most widely used and investigated substances in the literature is a natural yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which goes through a process of fermentation and drying. In several in-vitro studies, this dried fermentate has been shown to activate natural killer cells and provide immune support against colds, flu and allergies. This can be partly explained by the documented rapid effects on immune status, which generally occur within 1-2 hours after consumption. Human studies show that these substances may play a part in reducing the severity of viral infections of the respiratory tract and shortening the duration of the infection. Strengthening the microbiota, therefore, results in improved immune system capabilities. Taking postbiotics, therefore, could help improve the body’s response to viral respiratory tract infections and probably also play a role in defending against SARS-CoV-2. This review shows that Saccharomyces cerevisiae is not only effective and simple, but also virtually free of side-effects, which is why it is recommended both for people with impaired immunity and for the healthy, as it helps to strengthen the entire immune system and maintain perfect health.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.