Synbiotics

A synbiotic is defined by international consensus as a mixture of live microorganisms and substrate(s) selectively used by host microorganisms, together conferring a health benefit — in short, probiotics and their food supplied together.

It matters because the consensus draws a distinction worth knowing when reading a label: a complementary synbiotic pairs a component that qualifies as a probiotic with one that qualifies as a prebiotic, while a synergistic synbiotic is designed so the substrate specifically feeds the microbe supplied with it.

In practice, 'synbiotic' on a label is a formulation description, not a guarantee of benefit; as with probiotics, what matters is whether that specific combination has been studied for the outcome you care about.

Sources

• Swanson KS, et al. ISAPP consensus statement on the definition and scope of synbiotics. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020;17:687-701; PMC7581511