What Are The Most Common Types Of Probiotic Bacteria
Though there are many types of bacteria that can be considered probiotics, there are two specific types of bacteria that are common probiotics found in stores. These include:
- Bifidobacterium.
Probiotics are also made up of good yeast. The most common type of yeast found in probiotics is:
- Saccharomyces boulardii.
Probiotics May Help Boost Your Immune System
Probiotics may help give your immune system a boost and inhibit the growth of harmful gut bacteria .
Also, some probiotics have been shown to promote the production of natural antibodies in the body. They may also boost immune cells like the IgA-producing cells, T lymphocytes and natural killer cells (
Bottom Line:
Certain probiotics may help you lose weight and belly fat. However, other strains have been linked to weight gain.
Can You Drink Actimel When Taking Antibiotics
WASHINGTON A yogurt drink containing good bacteria helped patients avoid the diarrhea caused by antibiotics, British researchers reported on Friday. People who drank Actimel, made by French food group Danone, were able to leave the hospital sooner, the researchers said in the British Medical Journal.
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Issues To Be Aware Of
If you’re considering trying probiotics, there are a few issues you need to be aware of.
Probiotics are generally classed as food rather than medicine, which means they don’t go through the rigorous testing medicines do.
Because of the way probiotics are regulated, we can’t always be sure that:
- the product actually contains the bacteria stated on the food label
- the product contains enough bacteria to have an effect
- the bacteria are able to survive long enough to reach your gut
There are many different types of probiotics that may have different effects on the body, and little is known about which types are best.
You may find a particular type of probiotic helps with one problem. But this doesn’t mean it’ll help other problems, or that other types of probiotic will work just as well.
And there’s likely to be a huge difference between the pharmaceutical-grade probiotics that show promise in clinical trials and the yoghurts and supplements sold in shops.
Page last reviewed: 27 November 2018 Next review due: 27 November 2021
Choose Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotic For Antibiotic
Beth Rosen, MS, RD, CDN is a non-diet Registered Dietitian specializing in GI nutrition and disordered eating based in Connecticut. She has been working in the field of nutrition for over 25 years. Beth helps clients find relief from digestive disorders such as Irritable Bowel Disease and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth , Gastroparesis, Colitis, and GERD, as well as shares her knowledge with other health professionals via webinars, seminars, and peer mentoring.
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Probiotics are live microorganisms or microbes that may provide health benefits. They may help regulate the community of microorganisms living in our lower digestive tract, known as our microbiome. However, the research on the benefits of probiotics is still emerging, and there are only certain health conditions where probiotic supplements have proven benefits.
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Why Should You Add Probiotic Drinks To Your Diet
If youre serious about your weight loss goals, then taking probiotic drinks can be one thing that will really help you.
There are many reasons why probiotics may help you lose weight.
These microorganisms aid in digestion and may improve bowel regularity, which will allow your body to adjust itself to have fewer or smaller meals a day.
At the same time, certain probiotic strains keep your gut healthy by crowding out harmful bacteria and yeast that can cause bloating and gas.
Additionally, research has shown that these micro-hygiene building bacteria produce enzymes that break down complex carbs into simple sugars, which helps to maintain blood sugar levels in check throughout the day.
Furthermore, these bacteria can also produce acids that help to promote bone and tooth health, so that you wont feel as much pain when chewing on your food.
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Provides A Good Source Of Other Nutrients
Along with their great gut-friendly bacteria, probiotic drinks can also help you introduce calcium, protein, vitamin B12, and other nutrients into your system. For example, kefir contains healthy fats, essential minerals, and protein. With a fermented vegetable drink, you will enjoy your daily supply of vitamin C and other antioxidants. Kombucha is an excellent way to drink the ideal amount of beneficial acids, vitamins, and healthy enzymes.
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Probiotic Drinks Vs Probiotic Supplements
No research has made a direct comparison between the effectiveness of probiotic drinks and foods versus probiotic supplements . A literature review found probiotic drinks, foods, and supplements to all be good probiotic delivery vehicles, but was unable to determine which was more effective .
One 2014 literature review did find probiotic capsules or tablets to be the most effective probiotic delivery system . And a 2018 systematic review reported probiotics from enteric-coated capsules and freeze-dried capsules may be superior for delivering an effective dose of bacteria when compared to probiotic fermented milk drinks .
A 2017 systematic review of randomized controlled trials did find probiotic supplements were not effective at reducing Clostridium difficile -associated diarrhea cases in elderly patients on antibiotic treatment, while a probiotic drink did significantly reduce the number of cases . The probiotic drink may have been more effective than probiotic supplements in this case due to more bacterial strains or a different study design.
Probiotics Can Help Prevent And Treat Diarrhea
Probiotics are widely known for their ability to prevent diarrhea or reduce its severity.
Diarrhea is a common side effect of taking antibiotics. It occurs because antibiotics can negatively affect the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut (
15 ).
A review of 15 human studies found supplementing with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains for 12 months can improve anxiety, depression, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder and memory .
One study followed 70 chemical workers for 6 weeks. Those who consumed 100 grams of probiotic yogurt per day or took a daily probiotic capsule experienced benefits for general health, depression, anxiety and stress .
Benefits were also seen in a study of 40 patients with depression.
Taking probiotic supplements for 8 weeks decreased depression levels and reduced levels of C-reactive protein and hormones such as insulin, compared to people who did not take a probiotic .
Bottom Line:
Research shows taking probiotics may help improve symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress and memory, among others.
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These 8 Probiotic Drinks Will Help You Maintain Your Gut Health
Probiotics. Youve probably seen this word as youve read the labels of yogurts and supplement bottles. Maybe you know what it means, or maybe you just recognize that its the opposite of the word antibiotic. You might know that its good for you and your body needs it, but what else is there to probiotics? And why do we need them? And most importantly, how can we get them?
There are other ways to get your probiotic fix other than just greek yogurt or a supplement.
Recently, many drinks have come out that promote the fact that they have probiotics in them. Doctors promote probiotics to help with digestive health problems and, in general, are pretty good for you. If you struggle with your digestive health, it’s time for you to check out some of the probiotic drinks.
Keep reading for some suggestions on delicious and purposeful probiotic drinks that will help maintain your gut health.
How Consuming Alcohol Affects Gut Health
Alcohol is quite toxic for the body. It impacts the central nervous system, digestive tract, blood sugar levels, the circulatory system and the immune system, to name a few. The liver the bodys waste processing system has to work overtime to clear the toxins from alcohol out of the body. Excessive alcohol consumption is therefore often related to liver damage.
Alcohol, especially large amounts and high concentrations, can overwhelm the gastrointestinal tract. The alcohol kills many of the beneficial bacteria that live in the intestines.
Our body needs these bacteria as they support a healthy gut microbiome and many critical processes. When the amount of good bacteria in the gut decreases, this leaves room for bad bacteria, viruses and fungi to flourish, and can lead to pathogen overgrowth. This is also called dysbiosis. If unresolved, dysbiosis can lead to inflammation in the gut.
If the gut barrier is inflamed, it can break open and become leaky, which is commonly referred to as leaky gut. Potentially harmful bacteria and chemicals you take in via your food can now enter the bloodstream. This marks the start of a vicious cycle of an overly active immune system and inflammation throughout the body.
Therefore, it makes sense that dysbiosis has been associated with several chronic illnesses, including Type 2 diabetes, depression and mood disorders, and even memory function.
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Chobani Greek Yogurt Drink
Chobani is known for its delicious Greek yogurt with multiple flavors that satisfy a variety of flavor cravings. Chobanis Greek Yogurt Drink comes in a variety of flavors as well, so theres something for everyone! These probiotic drinks provide consumers with 10 grams of protein and multiple strains of probiotics per serving, making them extremely good for your gut health and for boosting your energy.
This probiotic drink also contains mango puree, which boosts nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and vitamin A. Its important that you choose drinks that will have the most impact on improving your health. If you want to maintain your gut health but still enjoy Chobanis products, their Yogurt Drink will do the job.
Farmhouse Cultures Gut Shot
If kombucha and smoothies arent your thing, maybe a shot of ginger beet juice is? With Farmhouse Cultures Gut Shot, you can take one a day and get a boost of digestive strength and immunity from loads of probiotics found naturally in the product.
This product comes in a pack of two apple cider vinegar drinks flavored apple cinnamon and Tumeric ginger. This is an easy way to get your probiotic servings in, and it tastes pretty good as well!
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Should You Drink A Lot Of Water When Taking Probiotics
You should drink lots of water. This is good advice in general, given the many benefits of hydration, but its also a key element of making the most of your time in the gym.
If you dont drink enough water, youre more likely to get dehydrated, which can lead to muscle cramps, crampy legs, and other symptoms of dehydration. And if you do drink too much, it can also make it harder for you to perform at your best.
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Our stomachs are home to 300 different bacteria that keep our digestive systems working efficiently. It assists in the breakdown of all the ingested food and drives off harmful bacteria and other microorganisms in the digestive tract.
Diarrhea, constipation, indigestion, and other digestive problems may result from an imbalance between the good and bad bacteria, and probiotics may assist in reestablishing its proper balance.
If you are constantly on the go and donât eat a healthy diet every day, these 12 probiotic beverages may help you increase the number of good bacteria in your body.
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First Of All Why Is The Gut Microbiome So Important
Your gut microbiome is related to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, Crohns disease, colitis and acid reflux. A lot of research going on right now is connecting gut health with autoimmune disease, neurodegenerative disorder, heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity, explains Dr. Erika Angle, biochemist and CEO of gut microbiome test Ixcela. The gut microbiome is such a hot area now because people are realizing its not just its own system. Its actually linked to your brain health, emotional health, cardiovascular health and other systems, as well.
Are There Any Storage Instructions For Probiotics
Several probiotic strains are very fragile and need to be protected from heat, oxygen, light and humidity. The probiotics might start to break down or die if they are exposed to these elements. Because of this, you may need to refrigerate your probiotics or store it in a particular place. Refrigerating certain probiotic strains ensures that theyre still viable when you go to use them and will still provide the full benefit of the probiotic. Always read the labels on any probiotic product you purchase to make sure you store it correctly and use it within the expiration date.
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What Are The Benefits Of Taking Probiotics
Probiotic supplements have been shown to benefit health in a number of ways.
However, some of the purported benefits of probiotics arent supported by research, so its important to always consult a healthcare professional before taking a probiotic supplement, especially if youre hoping to improve symptoms related to a health condition.
What Causes A Gut Imbalance
The number of good bacteria in the digestive system can be overtaken by the bad ones, leading to an imbalance. The factors that can lead to this include:
- Consuming too much dietary fat
- Eating a low-fiber diet
- Eating too many processed and unhealthy foods
- Gastro infection
- Use of antibiotics for long
Consuming a diet rich in probiotics can help clean up the gut and ensure its in prime working condition. Apart from adding probiotic-rich foods like curd and sauerkraut to your diet, loading up on a probiotic drink a day can actually keep the doctor away. Try these recipes to stay healthy:
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What Should You Not Take With A Probiotic
Do not start, stop, or change the dose of your medicine without your doctors approval. Antibiotics, antifungals, blood thinners, blood pressure medications, corticosteroids, diuretics, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications are some of the medications that may interact with certain probiotics.
Scientific Evidence Of Probiotics
Probiotics have existed for centuries as naturally occurring in yogurt, cheese, and other fermented dairy products. With technology improving, scientists and medical experts started making these probioticsâ cultures using bacterial strains to develop supplements. These cultures are nurtured in a modern laboratory using friendly bacteria that are safe for human consumption.
Probiotic dosages are referred to as Colony Forming Units, mostly termed as CFUs. The higher the CFU, the longer the shelf life and the higher the quality of the probiotic. However, the mode of delivery affects a probioticâs effectiveness regardless of the CFUs. A well-coated probiotic with fewer CFUs may do more work than a poorly coated probiotic with more CFUs.
According to the National Health Interview Survey in 2012, at least 4million adults in the US had used Probiotic within the past 30days during the survey. Over the years, the number has increased immensely as more people discover these probiotics and new companies are developed more rapidly as technology improves.
Most digestive tract issue such as diarrhea, indigestion, bloating gas, stomach discomfort may be due to poorly balanced bacteria in the stomach. Antibiotics destroy both useful and harmful bacteria when taken thatâs why most doctors recommend taking a probiotic after a complete antibiotic dosage.
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They Help Attain Bacterial Balance In The Gut
One of the most powerful benefits of probiotic drinks is that they contain microorganisms that can help return the balance of bacteria in your gut to a healthy equilibrium.
When you experience a bacterial infection, it is because there is an excess of bad bacteria in your gut. Drinking probiotics introduces good bacteria into your gut which helps the naturally occurring good bacteria in your gut fight off the harmful bacteria.
Aside from infection, another common cause of harmful bacterial imbalances in your gut is taking antibiotics. Often antibiotics work by killing off the bacteria in your gut that is causing infection.
However, antibiotics usually do not discriminate between good and bad bacteria and therefore end up killing a lot of good bacteria as well. For this reason, it is a good idea to drink lots of probiotic drinks while youre taking antibiotics to give the good bacteria in your gut a boost.
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May Enhance Mental Health
The digestive system is often called the “second brain.” It is the second-largest part of the neurological system and contains neurotransmitters that can boost your mental health and mood. Along with that, these probiotic drinks can combat inflammatory responses and leaky gut syndrome that lead to fatigue, anxiety, and mood issues.
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Why You Should Trust Us
Every brand and product on our list has been reviewed by registered dietitians and vetted to ensure that it aligns with Healthlines brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. Each product in this article:
- adheres to allowable health claims and labeling requirements, per Food and Drug Administration regulations
- is manufactured in facilities that adhere to current good manufacturing practices established by the FDA
- is produced by a medically credible company that follows ethical, legal, and industry best standards
- is made by a company that provides objective measures of trust, such as having its supplements validated by third-party labs
- Strains:Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
- Best for: IBS-related symptoms, travel
One capsule of Culturelle Digestive Daily probiotic has 10 billion CFUs of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, a probiotic strain that may benefit a number of health conditions like diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome , plus 200 mg of the prebiotic inulin, which fuels beneficial gut bacteria .
Culturelle guarantees that the stated number of CFUs on the box is viable through the expiration date of the product, something the NIH recommends customers look out for.
Culturelle products are packaged to maintain viability, and the company is certified through NSF International, an organization that independently tests supplements for quality and potency and inspects manufacturing facilities.
Culturelle products dont require refrigeration.
