Description Of Bacteria Used In Probiotics

You may not believe it, but eating some types of germs is actually good for your health. Healthy varieties of bacteria, yeast and viruses are added to foods and dietary supplements called probiotic or "pro life." These microorganisms help restore and maintain the natural balance between beneficial and malevolent bacteria in your gastrointestinal system. Most probiotic bacteria are anaerobic, meaning they thrive in environments with little or no oxygen.

Lactobacillus

The tart flavor of yogurt, cheese and sourdough bread is due in part to the work of a family of gram-positive bacteria called Lactobacillus. The species of Lactobacillus found in probiotic products includes L. acidophilus, L. johnsonii, L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. gasseri and L. reuteri. These bacteria produce an acidic environment in the bowels by converting sugars like lactose into lactic acid. Lactobacillus probiotics are used to maintain colon and vaginal health by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria.

Bifidobacterium

Like Lactobacilli, Bifidobacterium bacteria produce lactic acid by digesting milk sugar or lactose. Bifidobacterium work on sugars in a different way than Lactobacilli. The two are often combined in probiotic formulas for their synergism. While Bifidobacterium are anaerobic, they can grow well in the presence of a small amount of oxygen. This makes them a more stable probiotic ingredient than other bacteria that are killed by small amounts of air. The varieties of Bifidobacterium used therapeutically include B. animalis subsp. lactis, B. breve, B. infantis, B. LAFTI and B. coagulans.

E. Coli

E. coli bacteria have a bad reputation as the germs in animal feces that contaminate vegetables and sometimes cause life-threatening bouts of diarrhea. Many species of Escherichia coli or E. coli are harmless and have lived in your bowels since you were an infant. Unlike most probiotics, E. coli are gram-negative. Probiotics contain safe species of E. coli like E. coli Nissle 1917 and E. coli M-17. These bacteria help maintain bowel health and may treat diseases of the bowel such as Crohn's disease.

Streptococcus Thermophilus

If you love Mozzarella cheese on your pizza or other foods, you are also an unknowing fan of the probiotic Streptococcus thermophilus. S. thermophilus is the gram-positive anaerobe used to make Mozzarella and low-fat cheeses. S. thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii are the main probiotics found in the starter cultures used to make yogurt. S. thermophilus is added to probiotic formulas to assist in treating lactose intolerance and maintain bowel health.