Demystifying probiotics - Uses and benefits

The world of probiotics is booming. Several scientific studies validate their benefits and many health professionals recommend their use. As a result, the shelves of natural food stores and pharmacies are stocked abundantly.

This article aims to demystify the world of probiotics so that you can make an informed choice.

What is a probiotic?

A probiotic is a bacteria that provides beneficial effects to our body and our health when ingested.

As described by the World Health Organization (WHO):

“A probiotic is a living microorganism which, when ingested in sufficient quantity, produces beneficial effects on the health of those who consume it. ». 

Benefits of probiotics

To date, several studies have demonstrated that taking probiotics through food and/or supplementation can prevent or even reverse certain health problems. This phenomenon is closely linked to the beneficial effect of probiotics on the intestinal flora, commonly called the microbiota. (What is the microbiota?)

When the intestinal flora is in balance, prevention and improvement of many conditions is observed. In the event of an imbalance, the host can experience a series of pathologies, which can be addressed by taking probiotics.

Uses of probiotics

Probiotics are mainly used to support the microbial flora (oral, intestinal and vaginal) and the immune system. Thus, taking probiotics contributes to:

Digestive health : By reducing intestinal bloating, chronic or/or traveler's diarrhea, constipation, gastroenteritis, intestinal ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, gastritis with or without H. Pilori infection.^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

According to some ongoing preliminary research, taking probiotics may also relieve Chron's disease and diverticulitis.

Reducing chronic inflammation: By reducing the inflammatory process linked to pain, arthritis and rheumatism⁸;

Immune health : By strengthening immunity, resulting in a reduced incidence of flu, colds, allergies, food intolerances and autoimmune disorders^8,9,10;

Improvement of skin disorders : By reducing acne, rosacea, eczema and psoriasis¹¹;

Vaginal health : By maintaining an optimal vaginal pH resulting in a reduction in vaginal candidiasis and vaginitis¹²;

Oral health : By maintaining oral flora, preventing tooth decay and gingivitis^13,14;  

Mental health: By promoting the synthesis of neurotransmitters, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety¹⁵;

Infant health: By strengthening the digestive flora, reducing allergies, colic and eczema;

Reduce the risk of infection: Particularly linked to Salmonella⁴ and/or C. Difficult¹⁶

How to choose a probiotic?

All probiotics are different since they come from unique strains. So, to choose a quality product, make sure that it meets certain quality criteria.

First of all, the product must have an NPN number. The natural product number (NPN) is a number provided by Health Canada which certifies that the product is safe, of quality and that it is subject to current regulations.

In addition, the label of any quality probiotic must cite the genus, species and strain of the product. For example, on a jar of Bio-K+ probiotics, we can read:  Lactobacillus (kind), acidophilus (species), CL1285^MD (strain).

Finally, the product must also indicate the number of colony forming units (CFU). These are normally between 1 billion and 100 trillion. The higher the CFU index, the greater the quantity of live strains.

Why choose Bio-K+

Bio-K+ is a Quebec company having patented a mixture of three specific probiotic strains. These have been clinically proven to have a measurable and beneficial synergistic effect in the host. These strains can, among other things, fight pathogenic (harmful) bacteria such as C. Difficile and E. Coli¹⁷.

In addition, the strains contained in the products Bio-K+ help maintain an optimal intestinal pH level which promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria¹⁷.

The ready-to-drink jars of  Bio-K+  can be eaten as is or incorporated into smoothies, yogurts or frozen recipes like these probiotic yogurt bars.

Recommended dosage

To remedy acute digestive problems or to counter the side effects of antibiotics, Bio-K+ recommends consuming one drink per day. For mild problems, consume ½ jar per day. For simple maintenance and to maintain optimal health, consume ¼ of a jar per day¹⁷.

 

On your probiotics!

About the author

Naturopaths from La Boite à Grains

Team of qualified and certified naturopaths (ND) in Gatineau in Outaouais.

Original article written by Véronique Cousineau, Naturopath

 

Sources

1. Brenner DM, Moeller MJ, Chey WD, Schoenfeld PS, “The utility of probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review”, The American Journal of Gastroenterology, vol. 104, no. 4, April 2009, p. 1033–49.

2. Guandalini, Stefano MD. Probiotics for Prevention and Treatment of Diarrhea. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology: November/December 2011 - Volume 45 - Issue - p S149–S15

3. Brenner DM, Moeller MJ, Chey WD, Schoenfeld PS, “The utility of probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review”, The American Journal of Gastroenterology, vol. 104, no. 4, April 2009, p. 1033–49;

4. Huang, Yung-Feng MD, Liu, Po-Yen MD, Chen, Ying-Yao MD. Three-Combination Probiotics Therapy in Children With Salmonella and Rotavirus Gastroenteritis. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology: January 2014 - Volume 48 - Issue 1 - p 37–42

5. 5: Probiotics for induction of remission in ulcerative colitis. Mallon P, McKay D, Kirk S, Gardiner K. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Oct 17; (4):CD005573. Epub 2007 Oct 17.

6. 6: L Hun, “Bacillus coagulans significantly decreases abdominal pain for patients with irritable bowel symptoms.” », Postgraduate Medicine, vol. 121, no 2, 2009, p. 119–12

7. Dionyssios N. Sgouras, Effrosini G. Panayotopoulou, Beatriz Martinez-Gonzalez, Kalliopi Petraki, Spyros Michopoulos, and Αndreas Mentis, “Lactobacillus johnsonii La1 Attenuates Helicobacter pylori-Associated Gastritis and Reduces Levels of Proinflammatory Chemokines in C57BL/6 Mice

8. Reid G, Jass J, Sebulsky MT, McCormick JK (October 2003). “Potential uses of probiotics in clinical practice”. Microbiol. Rev. 16 (4): 658–72.

9. Robinson, R.K. (editor), Acidophilus Products (Therapeutic Properties of Fermented Milks), Chapman & Hall, London, 2007, p. 81–116

10. de Oliveira GVL, Leite AZ, Higuchi BS, Gonzaga MI, Mariano VS. Intestinal dysbiosis and probiotic applications in autoimmune diseases.Immunology. 2017 Sep;152(1):1-12. doi: 10.1111/imm.12765. Epub 2017 Jun 29.

11. Alexandra Vaughn-Manisha Notay-Ashley Clark-Raja Sivamani - Skin-gut axis: The relationship between intestinal bacteria and skin health. World Journal of Dermatology – 2017

12. Borges S, Silva J, Teixeira P (March 2014). “The role of lactobacilli and probiotics in maintaining vaginal health”. Arch. Gynecol. Obstet. (Review). 289(3):479–89

13. Näse L, Hatakka K, Savilahti E, Saxelin M, Pönkä A, Poussa T, Korpela R, Meurman JH (2001). "Effect of long-term consumption of a probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, in milk on dental caries and caries risk in children". Caries Research.

14. MOUKRAM, L. KISSI, I. BEN YAHYA. Surgical Odontology Department, CCTD, Casablanca (2016, May 13). Porbiotics.

15. Anastasiya Slyepchenko, Andre F. Carvalho, Danielle S. Cha, Siegfried Kasper, Roger S. McIntyre. Gut Emotions - Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics as Novel Therapeutic Targets for Depression and Anxiety Disorders. CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets. Volume 13, Issue 10, 2014

16. Mark Pochapin M.D. The effect of probiotics on clostridium difficile diarrhea. The American Journal of Gastroenterology Volume 95, Issue 1, Supplement 1, January 2000, Pages S11-S13

17. Bio-K+, Nielsen,D., Dt.P. (2018, April 06). The truth about gut bacteria and probiotics.