A recently popular therapeutic intervention for promoting a healthy gut is the use of probiotics. Probiotics are composed of different types of beneficial bacteria and yeast, and they function to restore the gut by dividing and growing. Probiotics function to increase the beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, within the gut and defend the body from harmful bacteria. For probiotics to sufficiently affect various health conditions, the appropriate species and strain must be selected and administered in the proper amounts.
Different Types of Probiotics
The most common probiotics used as alternative or adjuvant therapy come from the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus genera. Within each genus are various species, such as Bidfidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and within each species are different strains, such as Lactobacillus plantarum 299V and Bifidobacterium longum ES1. Thus, there are many combinations of various strains and species of probiotics, particularly of the Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli groups, that could potentially benefit the gut.
Probiotic Supplements
Most probiotics consist of bacteria that are naturally found in the body; however, supplementation might be necessary for these bacteria to grow within the gut. Consumer Labs conducted a study in 2009 comparing 23 adult probiotic supplements by studying contamination and accurate label claims. According to Consumer Labs, up to 90 percent of probiotics may die by the time the consumer buys the products. Therefore, the following were found to be best, since the supplements contain the most variety of probiotic strains per serving: GNC Natural brand Best super Acidophilus Probiotic Complex, Jarrow Formulas femdophilus, New Chapter Organics Probiotic All-Flora and Udo's Choice Adult's Probiotic.
Probiotics in Food
In addition to supplements, probiotics are fortified in some foods. Some examples of foods that claim to contain probiotics are various yogurts, kefir, cheese, cereals, fruit juices, vegetables, granola, candy bars, cookies and soy products. Some common products in the market include Activia yogurt by Dannon, YoPlus Yogurt by Yoplait, LiveActive cheese by Kraft, select Kashi and Nature’s Path cereals, and Silk Plus soy milks.
Educating Yourself
Since there is not a legal definition of probiotics that manufacturers must adhere to, some products have falsely claimed to contain an effective amount or strain of probiotics. Therefore, probiotic education is necessary for those interested in supplementation. Probiotics may have a wide array of benefits in disease conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, infectious and noninfectious diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease. Even though much is still unknown about probiotics, noteworthy advancements have been made over the past decade, and research is increasing the popularity and consumption of probiotics.
References
- "Consumer Labs"; Product Review: Probiotic Supplements for Adults, Children and Pets; November 2009
- "Immunological investigations"; Immunomodulation by Commensal and Probiotic Bacteria; Paul Forsythe, John Blenenstock; 2010
- "Clinical Nutrition"; Therapeutical use of probiotic formulations in clinical practice; T. Iannitti, B. Palmieri; December 2010.
- "Clinical Infectious Diseases"; Probiotics: Definition, Sources, Selection, and Uses; Mary Ellen Sanders; 2008
- "Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology"; Probiotics and the gut microbiota in intestinal health and disease; Melanie G. Gareau et al; September 2010.
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