Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Postbiotics in the Prevention and Treatment of Anemia

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is very common and affects approximately 1/3 of the world’s human population. There are strong research data that some probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum improve iron absorption and influence the course of anemia. Furthermore, prebiotics, including galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), increase iron bioavailability and decrease its destructive effect on the intestinal microbiota. In addition, multiple postbiotics, which are probiotic metabolites, including vitamins, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), and tryptophan, are involved in the regulation of intestinal absorption and may influence iron status in humans. This review presents the actual data from research studies on the influence of probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics on the prevention and therapy of IDA and the latest findings regarding their mechanisms of action. A comparison of the latest research data and theories regarding the role of pre-, post-, and probiotics and the mechanism of their action in anemias is also presented and discussed.

Synbiotic supplement for treatment of iron deficiency anaemia in haemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial

“…It has been reported that, multiple postbiotics, which are probiotic metabolites, including vitamins, short-chain fatty acids, and tryptophan, are also involved in the regulation of intestinal absorption of iron and may improve iron content in body. 25 The present study increases the reliability of a growing number of studies conducted on the beneficial effects of synbiotic supplements on haematological parameters related to anaemia in haemodialysis patients but small size of enrolled haemodialysis patients in this study, was limitation of our study.…”

“…Furthermore, prebiotics, including galactooligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides, increase iron bioavailability and decrease its destructive effect on the intestinal microbiota. It has been reported that, multiple postbiotics, which are probiotic metabolites, including vitamins, short‐chain fatty acids, and tryptophan, are also involved in the regulation of intestinal absorption of iron and may improve iron content in body 25 …”

Washed microbiota transplantation improves haemoglobin levels in anaemia of chronic disease

“…The potential role of gut microbiota in treating anaemia has been widely reported 9,26 . Supplementation with the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299v led to a clear increase in iron absorption in women 27,28 .…”

Interactions between Dietary Micronutrients, Composition of the Microbiome and Efficacy of Immunotherapy in Cancer Patients

“…SCFAs are organic compounds consisting mainly of acetate, propionate and butyrate. In addition to lowering intestinal pH, they increase the bioavailability of some metals, e.g., iron [ 35 ]. Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron , responsible for the production of acetate and propionate, promotes the differentiation of goblet cells in the intestine and the expression of mucin-related genes.…”

“…It was also observed that an increase in SCFAs enhances iron absorption. In infants with iron deficiency, a reduction in the abundance of butyrate-producing species such as Butyricicoccus, Roseburia and Coprococcus was shown [ 35 ].…”