The body is a complex ecosystem, housing ten times more bacterial cells than human cells.
Maintaining the health of this beneficial resident bacteria in the body is essential for health and wellbeing. The human virome – consisting of 300 trillion viruses – is even more expansive than the gut microbiome. Its viruses outnumber gut bacteria by up to 10-fold. Like bacteria, there are good and bad viruses in the body.
While the virome includes viruses that infect human cells, it is overwhelmingly dominated by bacteriophages (or ‘phages’) which are specialized viruses that specifically infect and replicate inside bacteria.
Phages, composed of a nucleic acid genome encased in a shell of phage-encoded capsid proteins, protect the genetic material and mediate its delivery into the bacterial host. Only infecting and replicating in bacterial cells, phages usually target specific strains within a bacterial species – featuring unrivalled preciseness.
This precision is key in the biotics space. Probiotics can utilize phages to achieve microscopic precision by combining live host-seeking mechanisms with microbiome maintenance. This unlocks potential to improve the performance and efficiency of biotics.
To understand more about the potential power of the phage, ADM are partnering with NutraIngredients in a Spotlight On: ‘Next Generation Gut Health: The Power of Bacteriophages’. Leading up to the broadcast, NutraIngredients spoke to Vaughn Dubow, senior director marketing, NAM H&W to find out more.
Q: The microbiome gets a lot of attention but we speak less about the virome – what are we missing out on by ignoring that part of the ecosystem?
For years, the microbiome conversation has focused almost exclusively on bacteria. Yet bacteria are only one component of a much larger ecosystem. The gut virome – particularly bacteriophages – plays a critical role in shaping microbial populations and maintaining balance within the gut.
By focusing solely on bacteria, we’re missing an important layer of microbial regulation. Bacteriophages help influence which bacterial populations thrive and which are kept in check. Understanding the virome provides a more complete picture of gut health and opens the door to more precise microbiome management strategies.
As microbiome science evolves, the future won’t be about bacteria alone – it will be about understanding the entire ecosystem and the interactions that drive health outcomes.
Q: How does bacteriophage science reshape what we think we know about gut health?
Historically, much of gut health innovation has centered on adding beneficial bacteria or feeding existing bacteria. Bacteriophages introduce a different paradigm: selectively managing specific bacterial populations within the microbiome.
This targeted approach helps us move beyond the idea that more bacteria is always better. Instead, bacteriophage science highlights the importance of microbial balance and precision. By selectively targeting specific unwanted bacteria while leaving beneficial microbes intact, bacteriophages offer a unique tool for supporting microbiome health without broadly disrupting the ecosystem.
In many ways, bacteriophages represent the next evolution of microbiome science – shifting the conversation from simply adding microbes to strategically managing the microbial environment itself.
Q: There is low consumer awareness about bacteriophages, but high interest once they understand. How should brands approach that gap?
This is one of the most exciting opportunities in the category today. Our consumer research consistently shows that awareness of bacteriophages remains relatively low, but consumer interest increases significantly when people learn what they are and how they work.
The key for brands is to focus less on the scientific terminology and more on the benefit story. Consumers immediately understand concepts such as precision, selectivity, and supporting a healthy microbiome balance. Rather than leading with complex microbiology, successful brands should communicate the value proposition in a simple and relatable way.
Importantly, consumers have shown a strong willingness to embrace new microbiome technologies when they are backed by science and clearly explained. For brands, that creates a rare opportunity to educate consumers while simultaneously differentiating themselves in an increasingly crowded gut health marketplace.
Q: Where do you see bacteriophages creating value in the next 3 to 5 years?
I believe we’re still in the early stages of the bacteriophage opportunity. Over the next three to five years, we’ll likely see bacteriophages move from an emerging microbiome ingredient to a recognized category within digestive health and beyond.
The greatest value will come from their ability to deliver targeted microbiome support and complement existing solutions such as probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics. As consumers become more familiar with precision health approaches, bacteriophages are uniquely positioned to address growing demand for personalized and science-driven wellness solutions.
From a commercial perspective, they offer brands meaningful differentiation in a crowded market. From a scientific perspective, they represent one of the most promising tools for advancing precision microbiome management. The companies that begin educating consumers and innovating with bacteriophages today will be well-positioned to lead the next generation of gut health products tomorrow.
Advancing precision microbiome management
To unlock their potential, it is important to understand the science behind bacteriophages. In ADM’s upcoming Spotlight On, the broadcast will provide an in-depth exploration of how bacteriophages can selectively target specific unwanted bacteria while leaving beneficial microbes intact, offering a differentiated approach to supporting a healthy and balanced gut ecosystem.
Attendees will gain insight into the unique mechanisms that make bacteriophages distinct from traditional probiotic, prebiotic, and postbiotic approaches, as well as the emerging research supporting their role in microbiome health.
Beyond the science, the broadcast will explore why bacteriophages are attracting increasing attention from consumers and industry stakeholders. Leveraging proprietary consumer research and market intelligence, ADM will reveal new insights into consumer awareness, perceptions, and purchasing attitudes toward bacteriophages.
With real-world examples and market-trend analysis, the broadcast will help attendees gain a deeper understanding of how targeted microbiome solutions can help brands differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive gut health landscape.
