What are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that when administered in adequate amounts are beneficial to health. Live microorganisms may be present in many different foods and supplements, but only strains with a scientifically demonstrated benefit on health should be called a probiotic.
To be classified as a probiotic a product must:
Contain live microbes
Confer a health benefit
How are Probiotics Defined?
Probiotics are defined by:
Genus, for example Lactobacillus,
Species, for example acidophilius
Strain designation, which is often a combination of letters or numbers
Traditional fermented foods contain live microbes, however the product may not have been tested for health benefits. Therefore, they can often not be classified as a probiotic. If the fermented food contains a studied probiotic in the dose that can confer a health benefit, then it can be classified as a probiotic.
There is growing evidence to support probiotic supplements with gastrointestinal issues and this area of research is gaining lots of momentum. Probiotics can offer other benefits to health.
Some Health Benefits of Probiotics
Note no one probiotic will confer all of these health benefits:
Relieve gut symptoms - diarrhoea, constipation bloating
Help to support immunity
Help manage symptoms of IBS
Help with the side effects when taking antibiotics
Support the gut barrier
Decrease gut, respiratory, vaginal and urinary tract infections
Help support the gut whilst travelling e.g travellers diarrhoea
Probiotics can influence the microbes that inhabit your gut. They can grow, metabolise and interact with our existing microbes, however rarely do they permanently colonise. They may be effective in influencing the microbiota as they travel through our gut and can use similar mechanisms as our colonising microbes to improve health. As they travel through the gut they interact with immune cells, gut cells, dietary components in the gut and the microbes that live in our gut.
How do I Choose a Probiotic?
Know which Probiotic is present- what strain does it include
Match the strain to the benefit
Ensure the product contains the right dosage that was used in the research
Safety- they are safe for most people, however if you are immunocompromised then check with a health professional
Probiotics can significantly improve some people's symptoms, however others will have no symptom improvement at all. If you are wanting to trial a probiotic it is important to try one that there is evidence for with your condition/symptoms and to try it for 4-12 weeks and then evaluate whether you feel it has been effective. If it has not been effective then discontinue and perhaps try an alternative strain.
If you are wanting help choosing a probiotic or think that it may be beneficial but do not know where to start then get in contact and book a 1.1 consultation.
References: ISAPP (International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics) BMJ 2018;361:k2179
