It can happen due to illness, medication such as antibiotics, poor diet and more. In some people, these effects may lessen or go away if the probiotics are taken regularly. Probiotics may have a variety of effects in the body, and different probiotics may act in different ways. Probiotics are available as supplements, though there is not yet enough evidence to prove that a specific brand or type will help with a particular condition. Because these good bacteria already exist in the body, they’re considered safe for most people.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your digestive system. They help keep your gut healthy and functioning properly. When choosing a probiotic supplement, one key factor to consider is the number of strains versus the total count of bacteria present in the product. Strains refer to different types of bacteria or yeasts, while the total count indicates the overall quantity of live cultures in the supplement.
Number of Strains:
Research from 2011 found that abdominal bloating improved significantly over 8 weeks of treatment with this probiotic strain compared with placebo. The supplement also includes a proprietary blend of prebiotics called bacteriophages, or phages. Phages are viruses that infect certain bacteria known to cause infections. Ritual’s Synbiotic+ contains probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus rhamnosus, that may be beneficial for people with IBS, though more research is needed. This article features our picks of the 12 best probiotic supplements on the market. It also explains what probiotic supplements are, who may benefit from taking one, and how to choose the right product for your needs.
The number of strains in a probiotic supplement is important because different strains offer different health benefits. Each strain may have a unique function in the body, such as improving digestion, boosting the immune system, or reducing inflammation. Therefore, a probiotic supplement with a variety of strains can provide more comprehensive support for overall gut health. Look for supplements that contain multiple strains to maximize the potential benefits.
The label on the probiotic supplement should give instructions on when and how to take it. The types (strains) of probiotics that may aid men’s health (such as for testosterone levels) or women’s health (such as for vaginal health) are also controversial. The NCCIH Clearinghouse provides information on NCCIH and complementary and integrative health approaches, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners. However, in most instances, we still don’t know which probiotics are helpful and which are not.
Probiotic products contain select, beneficial types of microbes to add to the populations already living in your body. Many probiotics are oral supplements designed to be ingested into your gastrointestinal tract. Others are topical products that you can apply to your skin or to the mucous membranes inside your body cavities, like your nose or genitals. Expert bodies of health professionals make no recommendations for or against probiotic use by healthy people. For people with various health conditions, however, published studies and reviews provide some guidance (as described above) on probiotic species, strains, and doses that might alleviate their symptoms. Researchers are exploring whether individuals with IBD have alterations in the gut microbiome and whether probiotics might help manage IBD [32].
Several reviews have assessed the effects of probiotics on IBD [31-36]. The authors of all of these reviews reached similar conclusions—that certain probiotics might have modestly beneficial effects on ulcerative colitis but not Crohn’s disease. Probiotics are measured in colony forming units (CFU), which indicate the number of viable cells.
Total Count:
The total count of live cultures in a probiotic supplement is another critical factor to consider. This number indicates the amount of viable bacteria or yeasts present in each dose of the supplement. A higher total count can be beneficial, as it means there are more live cultures that can potentially colonize the gut and provide health benefits. However, the effectiveness of a probiotic supplement depends on various factors, including the specific strains present and how well they survive the digestive process.
Eating Plant-Based for Prebiotics:
While probiotics are essential for gut health, they require prebiotics to thrive and flourish in the digestive system. Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that serve as food for probiotics, helping them grow and multiply. Plant-based foods are rich sources of prebiotics, making a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes an excellent choice for supporting a healthy gut microbiome. By consuming a variety of plant-based foods, you can provide your gut with the prebiotics it needs to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
