Prebiotics, Probiotics, and Synbiotics: A Bifidobacterial View

The chapter begins with an overview of the definitions of the three terms presented in the title, from both a scientific and a regulatory point of view. Then the clinical evidences available on the beneficial effects obtained by dosing selected strains of bifidobacteria or feeding human subjects with prebiotic substances will be addressed, taking into consideration different stages in aging (neonatal life, adulthood, and elders in their “ golden years”). A section will be devoted to “therapeutic” use of bifidobacteria, that is, administration to subjects in pathological conditions. A final section will be devoted to an update on the mechanisms of action of probiotic bifidobacteria, as well as the impact of prebiotics studies by means of microbiome analysis.