Congratulations! If you're reading this abstract today, you exemplify the evolutionary outcome of inflammation. In centuries past, when medicines, vaccines, and antibiotics were nonexistent, immune education stood as the sole defense against pathogenic microorganisms. The ability of your ancestors' metabolism to modulate immune cells in response to foreign bodies led to the evolution of our species. However, in our modern era—characterized by industrialization, access to hypercaloric and often processed foods, sedentary lifestyles, elevated cortisol levels, and excessive hygiene—we have failed to educate our immune systems properly. This failure has resulted in a generalized inflammatory metabolism, marked by low latency and chronicity, which fosters the development of diseases such as celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity, and more. Consequently, inflammation has become a significant threat to human health and longevity. Whether mediated by innate or adaptive immune cells, the cost of inflammation adversely affects nutritional status and alters body composition. Inflammatory mediators instigate changes in body temperature, appetite, nociceptive thresholds, and muscle tone, among other metabolic processes, leading to functional alterations in tissues and organs, and consequently triggering antagonistic pleiotropy. Promising strategies in the nutritional market include probiotics, which have demonstrated the ability to: i) modulate the intestinal microbiota, ii) assist in immune education modulation, and iii) promote the maturation of the gastrointestinal tract, among other benefits. These effects present a trade-off capable of reducing the costs associated with inflammation, thereby ensuring individual survival and reproductive capacity. Although these metabolic pathways remain under investigation, probiotics already represent an emerging approach to mitigating the heightened inflammation characteristic of latent inflammatory disorders.

Flavia Porto is a seasoned expert in the industrial nutrition market, boasting over seven years of experience. Renowned for her innovative approach, she has been instrumental in developing cutting-edge products like the POTENBAC® line, as well as a variety of bespoke white-label solutions. Her comprehensive expertise spans the entire production chain, where she excels in implementing quality and regulatory processes, while also providing invaluable technical and commercial support to partners and clients alike. Flavia's thought leadership is reflected in her authorship of several books and scientific articles, which underscore her commitment to advancing the field. She holds an academic background, with a degree in Biotechnology from the Federal University of São Carlos (UFSCar), a master's degree in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of São Paulo (USP), and a Ph.D. in Sciences Applied to Pharmacy, a prestigious qualification jointly awarded by USP and Yale University. Flavia’s unique blend of technical prowess and strategic insight makes her a driving force in shaping the future of the nutrition industry.