Lost Microbes: The Foundation of Our Starter Cultures

Lost Microbes: The Foundation of Our Starter Cultures

Modern lifestyles have caused many once widespread microbes to almost completely disappear from Western microbiomes. These lost species, known as Lost Species, are essential for health because they play a deep role in metabolism, immune function, gut barrier integrity, and even the gut-brain axis.

Traditional populations still retain a high diversity of these microbes. In industrialized societies, however, many of these species are now absent or severely reduced.

For this reason, our starter cultures focus specifically on strains that have declined most strongly according to current scientific research and that provide clear physiological benefits for modern individuals.

Below, we show which microbes in our sets qualify as true Lost Species and which serve as complementary stabilizing strains.

Overview of Our Bacterial Strains

The Most Important Core Lost Species

These strains are considered true Lost Species, as they are often reduced by more than 70 to 90 percent in Western populations.

Limosilactobacillus reuteri

• Widespread in traditional populations

• Nearly absent in Western microbiomes

• Regulates inflammation, gut barrier, metabolism, and oxytocin production

• Plays a central role in rebuilding a stable microbiome

Bifidobacterium infantis

• Strongly reduced in Europe and North America

• Supports barrier function, immune balance, and gas reduction

• Important for immune regulation

• One of the most significant lost species

Bifidobacterium longum

• Declining worldwide

• Influences the gut-brain axis and inflammatory processes

• Supports metabolic stability

• A core strain for long-term gut regulation

Secondary Lost Species (Strongly Reduced)

These strains have become significantly less common in Western populations but are not nearly extinct.

Bifidobacterium bifidum

• Previously very common in the human gut

• Now strongly reduced

• Supports mucosal integrity and barrier function

• Promotes colonization by other bifidobacteria

Bifidobacterium breve

• Significantly reduced in Western populations

• Important for carbohydrate metabolism

• Supports inflammation regulation and barrier function

Lactobacillus gasseri

• Clearly reduced in many studies

• Regulates fat metabolism and small intestine flora

• Modulates inflammatory processes

Reduced and Culturally Lost Strains

These bacteria are not completely lost but occur far less frequently due to modern lifestyle factors.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus

• Frequently reduced

• Important for barrier integrity, stress regulation, and mood

Lactobacillus brevis

• Previously abundant in fermented foods

• Now rare due to lack of fermented diets

• Produces GABA

Bacillus subtilis

• Previously widespread through environmental contact

• Now uncommon

• Enhances microbial resilience

Functional Complementary Strains

These strains are not classified as Lost Species but provide valuable therapeutic support.

Lactobacillus helveticus

Supports stress regulation and immune balance

Bacillus coagulans

Acid-resistant and particularly suitable for the small intestine

Bacillus clausii

Spore-forming strain supporting immune stability

Why We Use These Specific Strains

Our starter cultures combine:

• Core Lost Species for recolonization

• Secondary Lost Species for stabilization

• Functional strains for targeted support

This creates a multi-level system for rebuilding a resilient microbiome.

Antimicrobial Effects of Our Strains

Many of our bacterial strains produce natural antimicrobial substances. These inhibit undesirable microbes and help maintain a stable gut environment.

Strong Antimicrobial Activity

Limosilactobacillus reuteri

Produces reuterin with broad-spectrum activity

Limosilactobacillus gasseri

Produces bacteriocins

Bacillus subtilis

Produces surfactin and bacitracin

Bacillus clausii

Produces antimicrobial peptides

Moderate Antimicrobial Activity

• Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus

• Bacillus coagulans

• Lactobacillus brevis

• Lacticaseibacillus helveticus

These strains act mainly through lactic acid production, competition for nutrients, and bacteriocin formation.

Indirect Antimicrobial Activity (Bifidobacteria)

• Bifidobacterium infantis

• Bifidobacterium longum

• Bifidobacterium bifidum

• Bifidobacterium breve

Bifidobacteria act through:

• Production of short-chain fatty acids

• Lowering intestinal pH

• Strengthening the gut barrier

Why This Information Matters

The antimicrobial properties of our strains help maintain a balanced microbiome.

They support:

• Stable digestion

• Protective gut barrier function

• A favorable microbial environment

• Microbiome recovery after stress