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Prebiotic Substrate Specificity

Meaning

Prebiotic Substrate Specificity refers to the precise biological principle that different types of prebiotic fibers and non-digestible carbohydrates selectively feed and stimulate the growth or activity of only certain beneficial bacterial strains within the gut microbiome. This selectivity is crucial because a generalized increase in fiber intake does not guarantee the proliferation of the most desirable, health-promoting organisms. Clinical application requires choosing specific substrates that target the unique microbial deficiencies identified in a patient to optimize their functional output, particularly the production of postbiotic signaling molecules.