How Should People Take Probiotics
The requirements for a microbe to be considered a probiotic are that the microbe must be alive when administered, it must be documented to have a health benefit, and it must be administered at levels to confer a health benefit. A rule of thumb often cited is to take at least a billion colony forming units daily.
These are live microorganisms that will not provide the promised benefits if they don’t remain alive. The manufacturer and consumer must pay close attention to the conditions of storage at which the particular microorganism will survive and the end of their shelf life. The potency will indicate the number of viable bacteria per dose, and the purity has to do with presence of contaminating or ineffective bacteria.
The other thing to remember is that these microorganisms are not all created equally. In fact, the genus, strain, and species all need to be the same for the results that found in the study to be the results that one hopes to achieve when taking it. For example, with the strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, the genus is Lactobacillus, the species is rhamnosus, and the strain is GG. If any one of those is different in your supplement, you may not attain the same results.
What Has Science Shown About The Effectiveness Of Probiotics For Health Conditions
A great deal of research has been done on probiotics, but much remains to be learned about whether theyâre helpful and safe for various health conditions.
Probiotics have shown promise for a variety of health purposes, including prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea , prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis and in premature infants, treatment of infant colic, treatment of periodontal disease, and induction or maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis.
However, in most instances, we still donât know which probiotics are helpful and which are not. We also donât know how much of the probiotic people would have to take or who would be most likely to benefit. Even for the conditions that have been studied the most, researchers are still working toward finding the answers to these questions.
The following sections summarize the research on probiotics for some of the conditions for which theyâve been studied.
How Safe Are Probiotics
Because microbes used as probiotics already exist naturally in your body, probiotic foods and supplements are generally considered safe. They may trigger allergic reactions, and may also cause mild stomach upset, diarrhea, or flatulence and bloating for the first few days after starting to take them.
There are certain people who need to use caution when using probiotic supplements. There is a risk of infection in some people. These people include those who have:
- A weakened immune system .
- A critical illness.
Caution should also be used when giving probiotics to very sick infants.
Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic supplement.
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Ipa: Approach Holds Promise
The International Probiotics Association stated that the approach detailed by the researchers could be a valuable addition to the testing of probiotics supplements, while also acknowledging the questions raised by the high failure rate seen in this first application of the technique.
What is new in their approach is the use of molecular and non-culture-based techniques. This is expected to provide more reliable and accurate information. It is a step forward from the standard culturing on MRS agar, IPA said in a statement released to NutraIngredients-USA.
The good news in their findings is that half of the tested products contain the correct total counts, the correct species and those species at the correct counts. The bad news is of course the other half, IPA said.
IPA noted some details were missing from the researchers analysis, such as how close to expiry the products were when tested. Another possible question concerns chain of custody where and when were the supplements purchased, and could some of them have been mishandled along the way?
IPA also mentioned that some manufacturing constraints in probiotics were not mentioned in the paper, such as the different stability and shelf life profiles of strains within a multi strain product, which could result in differing amounts of overages.
Probiotic Ingredients Market Qualitative Solutions To Recover The Industry From Covid
According to the current analysis of Reports and Data, The global Probiotic Ingredients Market was valued at USD 267.2 million in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 497.0 million by the year 2027, at a CAGR of 8.9%. The term probiotic means for life, and it is used to name bacteria linked with beneficial effects for humans and animals. The advantages of food with added live microbes on human health, and in particular of milk products on children and other high-risk populations, are being increasingly encouraged by health experts.
The report presents accurate evaluation of the historical, present, and future market values and revenue shares. At the same time, it sheds light on the latest and emerging trends, opportunities, and risks in the market. The latest study is supported by some advanced analytical methods such as SWOT analysis, Porters Five Forces analysis, PESTLE analysis, and investment analysis used by our market analysts. In this report, the market has been segmented on the basis of product type, application range, end-use industry, geography, and competition level. Furthermore, key strategic initiatives undertaken by the market players, such as mergers & acquisitions, collaborations, partnerships, joint ventures, product launches, R& D activities, and government deals & contracts, have been discussed.
Key Players:
Further key findings from the report suggest:
Segments covered in the report:
- Bacteria
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Postbiotic Ingredients Gaining Traction
KANSAS CITY Bakers for over a decade have learned about how prebiotics and probiotics offer health benefits, especially for digestion. Now, they may be hearing about another term: postbiotics, which are heat-stable and thus will survive in baked foods.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit, according to the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics . Prebiotics, which include fiber ingredients, serve as food for beneficial microbes/probiotics in the body. Research continues to gain insight on how prebiotic ingredients benefit probiotic ingredients.
A panel for the ISAPP recently defined a postbiotic as a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host.
Postbiotics differ from probiotics in that they dont contain living microorganisms, said Nick Kruczynski, business development director, microbiome solutions, food and beverage for Chicago-based ADM. Rather, they are inanimate, yet still offer functionality. Postbiotics are emerging as important products in the food industry because of their ability to withstand harsh processing conditions like high heat in baking.
Learning About The Microbiome
The community of microorganisms that lives on us and in us is called the âmicrobiome,â and itâs a hot topic for research. The Human Microbiome Project, supported by the National Institutes of Health from 2007 to 2016, played a key role in this research by mapping the normal bacteria that live in and on the healthy human body. With this understanding of a normal microbiome as the basis, researchers around the world, including many supported by NIH, are now exploring the links between changes in the microbiome and various diseases. Theyâre also developing new therapeutic approaches designed to modify the microbiome to treat disease and support health.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health is among the many agencies funding research on the microbiome. Researchers supported by NCCIH are studying the interactions between components of food and microorganisms in the digestive tract. The focus is on the ways in which diet-microbiome interactions may lead to the production of substances with beneficial health effects.
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Red Flag #: Does Your Probiotic Use Regular Vegetable Capsules
Veggie capsules sound good, right? Especially if youre a vegetarian. Unfortunately, theyre not really suitable for probiotics.
The contents of your stomach are naturally so acidic that a standard veggie capsule will quickly break down. Its probiotic bacteria are destroyed before they have a chance to reach your gut.
Studies have shown that regular vegetable capsules will only get around 4% of their bacteria past stomach acid.
There are more suitable alternatives. Look for probiotics that will actually get their bacteria to your gut. The only proven way to deliver probiotic bacteria past stomach acid is a technology named BIO-tract.
This new technology uses an ingenious and very effective method to get probiotics past your stomach acid.
Instead of the probiotics being poured into a capsule, they are freeze-dried and compressed into a tablet.
When the tablet is moistened by the fluids in your stomach, a gel matrix forms on the outside. This creates a protective layer that protects your probiotics from stomach acids and enables them to travel safely to your intestines.
Research has shown that BIO-tract delivers 60% of probiotic bacteria past stomach acid.
That’s 15 times more effective than veggie capsules at transporting probiotics through stomach acid. If you’re using regular vegetable capsules, you could be wasting your money.
Use the code PROBIOTIC to get 20% off our probiotic. The discount code works on and our website.
How Do Probiotic Strains Work Together
Probiotics require fructooligosaccharides , a type of soluble fiber that is found in a variety of grains, fruits, and vegetables, to thrive. This type of fiber is commonly known as prebiotics. In simplest terms, prebiotics are food for probiotics, helping nourish them to keep them alive and active in the gut.
The combination of probiotics and prebiotic strains creates a synergistic effect that allows the body to thrive. By encouraging the growth of the good bacterial strains and crowding out the bad ones, you enjoy the benefits of good digestion, including more energy, better weight control, and making feeling good the new normal.
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Importance Of Microorganisms For Your Gut
The complex community of microorganisms in your gut is called the gut flora, gut microbiota, or gut microbiome .
The gut microbiota includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, archaea, and helminths with bacteria comprising the vast majority. Your gut is home to a complex eco-system of 300500 bacterial species .
Most of the gut flora is found in your colon, or large intestine, which is the last part of your digestive tract.
Surprisingly, the metabolic activities of your gut flora resemble those of an organ. For this reason, some scientists refer to the gut flora as the forgotten organ .
Your gut flora performs many important health functions. It manufactures vitamins, including vitamin K and some of the B vitamins .
It also turns fibers into short-chain fats like butyrate, propionate, and acetate, which feed your gut wall and perform many metabolic functions (
Probiotics and prebiotic fibers can help correct this balance, ensuring that your forgotten organ is functioning optimally .
Summary
Your gut flora consists of hundreds of types of microorganisms. These microorganisms perform numerous important bodily functions.
Probiotics are widely researched for their effects on digestive health .
Evidence suggests that probiotic supplements can help cure antibiotic-associated diarrhea .
When people take antibiotics, especially for long periods of time, they often experience diarrhea even long after the infection has been eradicated.
These unknowns include :
Summary
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Probiotics Support Skin Barrier Function
Probiotics positively impact the skin barrier, the outer protective layer of the epidermis that retains water and minerals while keeping out bad bacteria and other toxins.
Again, skin barrier function is compromised by using harsh, alkaline productsincluding some that are formulated to reduce acne. Aggressive exfoliation and certain medications can also weaken skin barrier function. Martin-Biggers adds that stress, diet, and other lifestyle factors contribute to your skin microbiome balance as well.
Again, several studies show that topical probiotics can enhance skin barrier function via antimicrobial properties and by increasing ceramide production. Ceramides are an essential component of the skin barrier, serving as a glue of sorts to hold healthy skin cells together. They provide healthy fats to the skin to restore skin barrier function, which in turn promotes a replenished, clear complexion.
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Red Flag #: Does Your Probiotic Contain Harmful Ingredients
Many food products today contain huge numbers of potentially harmful chemicals such as colorings, preservatives, and sweeteners.
These may be added to a product in order to increase its shelf life, or to improve taste and appearance. But there is no reason for these to be present in your probiotic supplement!
A good probiotic supplement should contain as few binders, fillers, coloring agents, flavorings, preservatives, tableting aids, or additives as possible.
While additives such as colorants and flavorings may be deemed safe by the FDA, numerous studies have suggested that they may be linked to acute intolerance or allergic reactions, or even may increase risks of serious long-term illnesses such as cancer.
After all, probiotic supplements are taken to improve your health not harm it! Check the ingredients label on a product to see whether it contains any excipients that you dont need.
Solution: Buy a probiotic that doesn’t contain fillers, preservatives, artificial colors or flavors. Our probiotic contains only naturally-derived ingredients that won’t damage or inflame your gut.
Use the code PROBIOTIC to get 20% off our probiotic. The discount code works on and our website.
Don’t Waste Your Money Choose A Probiotic That Actually Works
Choosing the best probiotic for you is simply a matter of knowing what to look for. Dont automatically pick up the first one you see, the cheapest one, or the one your friend recommended.
The right probiotic supplement will boost your immunity, support healthy digestion, improve nutrient absorption, and boost your energy levels.
Look carefully at all the ingredients. Find one with a high CFU count, lots of probiotic strains, and a delivery system that will get those bacteria to your gut.
If you want a probiotic that fits all these criteria, our probiotic is just for you.
Our Balance ONE Probiotic has 15 billion CFUs of bacteria, 12 potent strains, and no harmful fillers or additives. Most importantly, it uses the BIO-tract delivery system to get those bacteria where they’re needed.
You can find it on , or on balanceone.com. Shipping within the US will be free, and you can rest assured that you’re buying a high-quality, made-in-the-USA probiotic.
Remember: Use the discount code PROBIOTIC to get 20% off our probiotic. It works on and our website.
Katie Stone, ND
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Where Do We Find Microbiota
Our microbiome typically refers to all the systems of microbiota found throughout and on our body.
Our gut contains the largest and arguably most impactful microbiota system. But, we still find microbiota on our skin, in our mouths, and in other mucus membranes. All of these together make up our microbiome.
Do I Need To Take Probiotics After I Take Antibiotics
Antibiotic medications are often needed to fight an infection. However, while antibiotics are killing the bad bacteria, they are also knocking out the good bacteria in your body. Some people develop conditions like diarrhea after taking an antibiotic. In other people, this may allow for really bad bacteria to take over and populate the gut, such as with C. diff. Some research has shown a positive connection between taking probiotics after an antibiotic and relief from diarrhea. This hasnt been proven yet and doesnt work for everyone.
The thought behind adding probiotics back into your body after taking an antibiotic is that it can repopulate the good bacteria that was destroyed by the antibiotics and re-boot your system. The extra good bacteria helps repopulate your gut and fight off any remaining bad bacteria. Many people feel that adding in probiotics wont hurt, might help you feel better a little faster and prevent diarrhea.
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Align Probiotic Extra Strength
Price: $$$
Align is a physician-trusted brand that contains Bifidobacteriumlongum 35624, formerly known as Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, a probiotic strain that has been researched for its role in digestive health, including IBS symptoms .
Aligns Extra Strength probiotic label states that each capsule contains 5 billion live bacteria at the time of manufacturing and 50,000,000 CFUs up until the best by date.
As it doesnt require refrigeration, its a good option if you frequently travel or prefer not to worry about storing your probiotic supplement in the fridge.
Note that Align contains trace amounts of lactose, so it may not be appropriate for those with severe lactose intolerance.
Price: $
Bio-Kult contains 14 probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidobacterium longum.
Each Bio-Kult capsule contains a minimum of 2 billion microorganisms, and Bio-Kult guarantees that the total bacteria count of their products is viable until the end of the products shelf life.
Each probiotic strain in Bio-Kult is microencapsulated and individually freeze-dried, which protects the probiotics from stomach acid and allows the product to be stored at room temperature.
Bio-Kult products are third-party tested by United Kingdom Accreditation Service accredited labs.
Bio-Kult is not appropriate for those with a severe allergy to milk proteins, but it is safe for those with lactose intolerance.
How To Find The Right Probiotic Dose
If you’re most interested in taking a probiotic supplement for overall gut health,* I suggest starting with at least 30 billion CFUs. Take your chosen probiotic on an empty stomach once or twice a day for at least three months. After that time, reassess and decide if the benefits you achieved warrant continuing or maintaining over the long-term.
If you have chronic GI concerns, I strongly suggest working with a functional medicine doctor or other qualified health care professional to partner with you and personalize your probiotic approach.
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What Are The Different Types Of Probiotics
There are numerous types of probiotics and each has different characteristics. They may be combined with others or appear on their own in powder, tablet or liquid dietary supplements. At the moment, foods that naturally contain probiotics are not eaten regularly in the UK and supplements are becoming more popular. The most common probiotics include lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium. These differ as they are made up of different types or strains of bacteria, and are recommended for different clinical conditions. Lactobacillus acidophilus have been clinically shown to lower the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and can also result in a shorter length of stay in hospital for some. In order to experience this benefit, a vast quantity of food containing probiotics would need to be consumed. It is therefore easier and more effective to take a recommended probiotic supplement.
For those with a diagnosis of IBS, supplements containing bifidobacterium have been shown to reduce symptoms, including bloating, cramping and stool frequency, and can be taken for up to eight weeks.
