The Intestinal flora as the key to health? Many people have probably already heard about the microbiome belongs. The billions of bacteria, fungi and viruses that live in our intestines, among other things, and without whose help we would not be able to absorb some nutrients. These small organisms keep harmful invaders away from us and support our immune system with a number of molecules, such as butyrate.
In the best case scenario, we live in a symbiosis with the intestinal bacteria - this is a situation in which both sides benefit from each other. Research is increasingly showing that the intestinal flora is involved in the development of some diseases outside the intestine. Our metabolism is largely determined by the colonization in our intestines. Even though much about it is not yet fully understood, the number of studies is growing almost daily. In this article we will show you what QBIOTIC is and what effects you can expect from it.
The microbiome – cause of diseases?
The world of the microbiome is extremely multifaceted and complex - as is research on the topic. For this reason, we have already given you a detailed overview in our article about the microbiome .
How can the microbiome contribute to the development of diseases? In order to better answer this question, let's take a closer look at one area of research. The role of the microbiome in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus - diabetes. This disease is characterized by impaired glucose metabolism, usually starting with insulin resistance, which then later manifests itself as diabetes.
The role of the intestinal flora has already been relatively well researched and this overview summarizes 42 studies on humans.
Since the microbiome varies greatly from person to person, it is difficult to make generally valid statements. However, the researchers were able to determine that there were differences in the composition of the intestinal flora. Specifically, the genera Bifidobacterium, Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia and Roseburia were often negatively associated with diabetes, meaning that they occur in smaller quantities in patients with diabetes. In contrast, Ruminococcus, Fusobacterium and Blautia were found more frequently in diabetes patients.
The bacterium Bacillus subtilis interacts with intestinal health through various pathways
Differences in intestinal flora – is that enough?
The difference in the composition of the intestinal bacteria alone is unlikely to provide the whole picture. The microbiome is too different for that. Our diet or where we live alone has a major influence on the composition of the microbiome. Many of the intestinal bacteria produce molecules that not only affect our intestinal wall, but also have effects throughout the body.
Some microbes can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and stimulate the production of anti-inflammatory messenger substances. Others can strengthen the integrity of the intestinal mucosa by increasing the expression of tight junction proteins (thereby condensing the cellular terminal ridge) and thus reducing permeability.
According to the study authors The microbiome has a direct influence on glucose metabolism. For example, Bifidobacterium lactis can promote glycogen synthesis in the liver and improve glucose uptake into cells by inhibiting the transporter GLUT -4 activated.
How can you influence the intestinal flora?
This is possible via pre-, pro- and postbiotics. Below we will briefly discuss the individual terms:
- Prebiotics: Are non-digestible plant residues, or in other words Fiber. We naturally take these with our food (e.g.b through fruits and vegetables). These serve as food for our intestinal flora. The bacteria in our intestines rely on a certain amount per day.
- Probiotics: Are living microorganisms, e.g.b Bacteria that are often sold as food supplements . By taking probiotics, the balance of the intestinal flora should be shifted more towards health-promoting bacteria.
- Synbiotics: Combines a prebiotic (the food of the bacteria) with a probiotic (the type of bacteria itself).
- Postbiotics: are bioactive compounds produced by probiotics during the fermentation process in the intestine. These include metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (butyrate), peptides or vitamins.
So what is QBIOTIC?
QBIOTIC is a newly formulated supplement with several different ingredients. The identical formulation has already been used successfully in studies on metabolism. The mineral Zinc contributes to normal metabolism of carbohydrates and fatty acids, while Chromium supports the maintenance of normal blood sugar levels .
In addition, QBIOTIC Bacillus subtilis, a bacterium that won the “Microbe of the Year 2023” award, and L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine an amino acid derivative which, among other things, has effects on the muscles. But more on that in a moment.
Bacillus subtilis – a microbe with many advantages
Bacillus subtilis is a soil-occurring, gram-positive bacterium that is capable of forming endospores. Endospores are a survival form of bacteria that help the organisms to survive even difficult environmental conditions. Research has shown various aspects on which Bacillus subtilis could have an influence:
Modulation of the intestinal flora
Bacillus subtilis appears to have a positive effect on the microbial balance in the intestine. As a probiotic bacteria, it contributes to the diversity of the intestinal flora, which is essential for maintaining health. b subtilis can enter the intestine and create favorable conditions there by promoting beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. These bacteria play a key role in digestion and absorption of nutrients as well as strengthening the immune system. Both bacteria are also inversely associated with the risk of insulin resistance and can increase butyrate production.
Antimicrobial activity
In addition to supporting health-promoting strains of bacteria, Bacillus subtilis can produce antimicrobial peptides known as subtilisins. These peptides have the ability to directly combat pathogenic microorganisms by inhibiting their growth or killing them. This mechanism helps prevent the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and likely supports the maintenance of healthy intestinal flora. In this study Bacillus subtilis was able to prevent the growth of the harmful bacterium Clostridium perfrigens weaken chickens.
Stimulation of the immune system
Bacillus subtilis also appears to interact with the immune system. The studies indicate a connection with the M cells in the Peyer's patches of the small intestine, which probably leads to stimulation of the local and systemic immune response .
Influence on the intestinal barrier
Furthermore, Bacillus subtilis is associated with a strengthened intestinal barrier. It promotes the production of tight junction proteins that connect the intestinal epithelial cells and thus improve the barrier function of the intestine.
Effects on digestion
In addition, Bacillus subtilis supports digestion by producing enzymes that help break down complex carbohydrates and proteins. These enzymes facilitate nutrient absorption and could e.g.b in this study reduce flatulence, constipation and other digestive problems.
Butyrate – an important building block for intestinal health
Before we go into more detail about the composition of QBIOTIC , We need to briefly clarify what butyrate is and what role it plays in the body:
Butyrate is one of the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which is produced by microorganisms in the intestine through the fermentation of indigestible carbohydrates (prebiotics). This short-chain fatty acid has attracted some attention in science because butyrate metabolism can also influence our metabolism . One of the molecular pathways associated with butyrate is stimulation of the incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
To put it simply, GLP-1 acts in the body in two different ways. It signals to our brain that we are full and it promotes the release of insulin so that we can better transport the sugar we eat into our cells.
Drugs that “mimic” GLP-1 have also become famous outside of medicine in recent years. The active ingredient semaglutide, sold under the trade name Ozempic®, is a very effective diabetes medication. You can find out more about these connections in our article on Berberine.
Bioavailable berberine with chromium and zinc in the mineral complex Berbersome
But back to butyrate. One of the reasons why a fibre-rich diet is so healthy is probably the increased production of butyrate by the intestinal bacteria. However, every person has a different composition of intestinal flora and therefore a different capacity to produce butyrate.
Did you know? The exact formation of butyrate in the intestine is quite complex and involves several steps and metabolic pathways. Three of the four metabolic pathways use amino acids and pyruvate as an intermediate product, which you also find in energy metabolism and the mitochondria .
The butyrate produced in the intestine can then increase the production of GLP-1 through several pathways. One of these pathways is Activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
Fiber to increase butyrate production?
As we have seen, it appears to be beneficial if our intestinal flora produces more butyrate. We can achieve this, for example, by eating more fiber, especially FODMAPs. FODMAPs stands for “Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols”. It is a group of short-chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols that occur naturally in many foods or are used as additives. FODMAPs are known to cause digestive symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation in some people, particularly those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other functional gastrointestinal disorders -diseases.
These side effects can have a limiting effect and this is where QBIOTIC comes into play:
Bacillus subtilis and L-alanyl-L-glutamine for the biometabolic shift
The composition of the QBIOTIC ingredients is designed to cover as many metabolic pathways of butyrate production as possible without eating large amounts of FODMAPs.
The combination of Bacillus subtilis and L-alanyl-L-glutamine, a synthetic dipeptide, ensures a change in the intestinal flora. Bacillus subtilis supports intestinal bacteria that produce butyrate and L-alanyl-L-glutamine provides glutamate as a starting substance, which can be further metabolized to butyrate. In addition, biotin, turmeric, green tea extract, vitamin D and Vitamin B5, B6 for improved framework conditions to achieve a biometabolic shift in the intestinal flora.
Exactly this combination was tested in a study on 192 people. The result:
- Improved Blood sugar levels (Fasting blood sugar, HbA1c)
- Significant weight reduction in the study group
- Particularly effective in participants with insulin resistance
More than just improved blood sugar levels
The combination of Bacillus subtilis and L-alanyl-L-glutamine was tested in a smaller study also with regard to Blood lipid values tested. After 2 or After taking the preparation for 4 weeks, the researchers were able to detect a reduction in cholesterol and LDL levels in the blood.
Did you know? Bacillus subtilis is not a complete anaerobe, meaning that it still survives even when lightly exposed to oxygen. This is an advantage over strictly anaerobic bacterial strains, such as Akkermansia, which die at the slightest contact with oxygen
Possible side effects
Although Bacillus subtilis is generally considered very safe, some people may experience side effects. These usually include mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, discomfort or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually temporary as the body adapts to the changes in the intestinal flora.
Bacillus subtillis and nattokinase
Caution, risk of confusion: Nattokinase is an enzyme produced by another type of bacteria, Bacillus subtilis natto, which is specifically used in the fermentation of Natto, a Japanese soybean product. This enzyme is discussed for its ability to dissolve blood clots and is therefore often researched in the context of cardiovascular diseases. Although Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus subtilis natto are closely related, the focus is on B. subtilis in microbiome applications, while nattokinase is best known for its effects on the cardiovascular system.
