Fighting inflammation: Pfizer-backed study reveals probiotic-omega 3 synergies

17 Aug 2020 --- A study developed by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare – now part of GSK Consumer Healthcare – has revealed that a combination of probiotics and omega 3 fatty acids could help fight chronic low-grade inflammation. Carried out by Swedish researchers, the study notes that these ingredients in synergy present a promising strategy to promote beneficial immune regulation via the gut microbiota. There are also potential beneficial effects on conditions of inflammatory origin, as commonly experienced by aged and obese individuals, as well as improvements in gut-brain-axis communication.

The researchers weighed up evidence from a host of prior investigations. They detail that nutrients like probiotics and omega 3 fatty acids may increase gut microbiota diversity and reduce inflammation. This is crucial as chronic low-grade inflammation negatively impacts health and is associated with aging and obesity, among other health outcomes.

The gut microbiota itself is also an important initiator of inflammation, for example, by releasing compounds such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that may influence cytokine production and immune cell function. A large number of immune mediators are present in the digestive tract and interact with gut bacteria to influence immune function. 

An eye on probiotics
According to the researchers, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are examples of probiotics that prevent gut hyperpermeability and lower LPS-dependent chronic low-grade inflammation, including through the gut-brain axis. Turning their eye toward Lactobacilli, the investigators note that its central role within the microbiota is to provide local release of antimicrobial compounds, raising the question of whether every strain of these genera is advantageous. Earlier this year, new guidelines from the American Gastroenterological Association highlighted the importance of ensuring that specific strains are used for specific purposes, rather than recommendations taking the form of a “general probiotic concept.”

Looking at Bifidobacterium, B. lactis Bl-04 has been reported to enhance the immune responsivity of mucosal surfaces and has shown promising benefits for healthy adults in reducing the risk for upper respiratory tract infections. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is related to the gut-brain axis, is also implicated as some strains may have a role in alleviating functional gastrointestinal disorders. 

“IBS patients have been shown to have gut microbiota dysbiosis, as exhibited by 1.5-fold decreases in the number of Bifidobacteria compared with healthy controls. IBS symptoms are also connected with an abundance of groups of Firmicutes, which correlates with decreases in Bifidobacteria. Hence, the addition of potent Bifidobacteria supplements could potentially benefit this patient group in particular,” the researchers write. 

Notably, the combination of both Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria is theorized to produce synergistic effects, conferring additive benefits, with the exception of rare instances of antagonistic reactions between strains. One example is that Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 combined with L. acidophilus NCFM has been shown to improve digestive health by binding with human-derived proteins and interacting with the host. This combination has also been found to modestly reduce bloating in individuals with functional bowel disorders and to prevent upper respiratory tract infections in adults.Combining omega 3 fatty acids with probiotics might help prevent the development of low-grade inflammation. 

Sizing up fatty acids
Meanwhile, omega 3 fatty acids generate positive effects on inflammation-related conditions, such as hypertriglyceridemia and diabetes. The researchers note that this is by interacting with immune, metabolic and inflammatory pathways. Omega 3 fatty acids also increase LPS-suppressing bacteria – like Bifidobacteria – while decreasing LPS-producing bacteria. Furthermore, omega 3 fatty acids appear to promote short-chain fatty acid production. 

However, dose-dependent actions of omega 3 fatty acids on immune response have not been well described. The researchers posit that this may be because doses as high as 2 g per day may be required to achieve an effect. Nonetheless, the beneficial effects of these fatty acids may be pronounced in overweight subjects with underlying inflammation, and those effects are likely attributed to metabolic factors related to obesity rather than to the obesity itself.

Notably, the researchers point to a growing body of evidence to suggest that the combination of probiotic strains with omega 3 fatty acids may provide an additive health benefit to when either supplement is administered alone. “Omega 3 fatty acids can act as prebiotics in the gut and have been linked to improvements in composition and diversity of gut microbiome in middle-aged and elderly women,” they detail.

“Hypothetically, combining omega 3 fatty acids with probiotics offers a promising strategy to prevent the development of low-grade inflammation as well as offering non-pharmaceutical treatment modalities, which might be especially relevant in patient groups that suffer from increased systemic inflammation, such as aged and obese individuals. However, this research field is still in need of well-conducted and properly controlled clinical trials to further support this hypothesis,” the researchers conclude. 

Earlier this year, a former executive at Pfizer and GSK launched Upgraid, an “anti-Advil” focused on supporting a healthy level of inflammation in the body. 

Edited by Katherine Durrell