Probiotic Supplements: What You Need To Know Before Buying

Probiotic Supplements: What You Need To Know Before Buying

Probiotic supplements

Casually drop the word “bacteria” in any conversation, and you’re guaranteed to notice even just the tiniest hint of disgust on the face of whoever you’re talking to. Fact is, the concept of bacteria tends to get quite a bad rap. We’ve come to associate it with dirt, diseases, and generally anything that can make us sick.  It also doesn’t help that advertisements for cleaning agents and whatnot often treat bacteria under a microscope as their go-to representation for pathogens (the things that make us sick).   It’s silly, really, especially when you consider the important role bacteria play in our bodily processes, particularly the ones involving our gut. [1] It’s also silly given what we know currently about probiotics and probiotic supplements.

 

Probiotics: Definition and Function

You’re likely already familiar with the term probiotics. Let’s go over it in brief by identifying what they are and why our bodies need them.

The “pro” in their name [2] has probably clued you in on their impact on the human body. Often called “good bacteria,” probiotics are microorganisms found in the body that support and benefit a wide variety of its most crucial functions.

The impact of probiotics isn’t just limited to the gut, either. They have been shown to affect nutrient absorption, proper digestion, and even how the body combats germs and other pathogens from damaging our cells and infecting us with diseases.

Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as yogurt, pickles, and certain types of cheese.  There are also probiotic supplements that you can purchase and incorporate into your diet to get your regular dose of these “good bacteria.”

 

What Do Probiotic Supplements Do?

In general, probiotics have been linked to numerous benefits, [3] a few of which we will discuss in the succeeding sections. Here’s where things get a little tricky, though. While studies have shown that probiotics do benefit the body, at this point, more research is required to definitively measure exactly how much they impact our system.

Here is a highly recommended resource that includes systematic reviews on probiotic’s effectiveness as an intervention for various outcomes.

In fact, way back in 2010, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) declared that there simply wasn’t enough evidence to say that all of the benefits that the probiotics industry attributes to probiotics are 100% true. In fact, some probiotics may be downright dangerous. They based their statement on tests run by unaffiliated scientists — in other words, impartial judges. 

That’s not to say, however, that probiotics’ purported benefits are fake. Far from it, in fact.

Due to numerous studies conducted over the years, experts generally agree that probiotics may help manage a number of conditions related to the digestive system, such as chronic constipation and even lactose intolerance. Here are a few of the purported benefits of probiotics that are strongly backed by scientific evidence.

 

Easing Antibiotic-related Diarrhea:

Specifically, scientists have found strong evidence that probiotics can help ease diarrhea associated with taking antibiotics. If you think about it, this makes sense: If you’ve ever had to take regular doses of antibiotics for an extended period of time, you probably also experienced diarrhea (and plenty of discomfort in your gut).

That’s because antibiotics don’t really discriminate the bacteria they kill in your gut, which means they also end up eliminating the natural bacteria that keep the bad ones in check. [4]

Probiotics aid in resupplying the gut with its vital natural bacteria in order to combat Clostridium difficile (a bacteria that can cause anything from loose bowels to colon inflammation) and other pathogens. [5]

 

Aiding in Nutrient Absorption, Specifically Protein:

We mentioned earlier that probiotics aid in nutrient absorption. As a matter of fact, research has shown that probiotics are particularly helpful in enabling your body to better absorb protein.

Subjects who consumed a certain probiotic alongside a serving of protein absorbed more of it compared to others who didn’t consume the probiotic. [6] And while you’re probably already aware that better absorption of the amino acids in protein will enhance and increase your muscle growth, it also helps in another key health issue: weight loss. [10]

Simply put, better protein absorption has a positive influence over the body’s metabolic functions, thereby improving the weight loss process. [11]

 

Lowering the pH Level in Your Colon:

It might be weird to talk about the pH level of your colon, as it isn’t something that usually gets brought up in health-related discussions. However, a lower pH in your colon actually helps you go through your excretory processes faster. [7] Probiotics prevent alkalinity by supplementing the natural flora in your guys that stabilize your acidity levels.

 

Fighting Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS):

IBS is quite common and involves various symptoms such as the feeling of bloatedness, constipation, loose bowels, and excessive gas. [8] Studies have shown, however, that probiotics are effective at preventing these symptoms and ultimately fighting the condition. [9]

 

Probiotics’ Other Health Benefits

Despite the breadth of our modern-day knowledge of probiotics, there is still much to learn about these “good bacteria,” and much to discover in the way of concrete evidence on their other alleged health effects. Here are a few of the other noteworthy benefits of probiotics.

•  Some probiotics may lower your total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, a.k.a. “bad” cholesterol) levels.
•  Certain probiotic strains have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and clinical depression.
•  Probiotics may reduce systemic inflammation.
•  Probiotics may also reduce blood pressure to a limited degree.
•  Some probiotic strains can improve the immune system’s resistance against the common cold and other infectious diseases.
•  Probiotics may help prevent stomach cancer and ulcers.
•  Probiotics may even help in alleviating certain skin disorders, acne breakouts, and eczema.

 

What to Know Before Buying

If you’re thinking of investing in probiotics supplements, here are a few things to remember:

•  Know what you’re buying. You may be under the impression that all probiotic supplements are the same, or that all probiotic supplements are beneficial. The fact of the matter is, it is crucial to understand the differences between the Lactobacillus (L. acidophilus, L. casei,  and  L. plantarum) and Bifidobacterium (B. lactis, B. longum, and B. bifidum) strains, which are the two types of probiotics that are considered safe and beneficial.  It is equally important to understand that not all probiotics fall under the aforementioned strains, lest you end up purchasing supplements that will harm instead of help you in the long run. 

•  Check the labels. Remember to read the labels before buying any supplements. Know what you’re getting yourself into — the brand you’re buying, the proper way to store your supplements, and so on.  Better safe than sorry. 

•  Take time to investigate. Don’t rely on what the brands tell you. Familiarize yourself with probiotics and prebiotics, and how they work (this guide may help you accomplish that).  If all else fails, consult a medical professional to provide you solid and credible advice on which supplements to take and which ones to avoid.

 

The Bottom Line

Exercise caution when deciding to take the probiotic supplements plunge. If you’re not sure which ones to buy — and if you’re not suffering from any particular diseases that require additional probiotics — the good bacteria that you get from rich food sources should be enough in the meantime.

Probiotics have been shown to be good for you — there is no question that they’ve certainly earned their name. In fact, there is a positive association between taking antibiotics and improved digestion, regardless of age bracket.

However, if you’re not mindful of the probiotic supplements you purchase and ingest, the biggest “strains” that will impact your life are the strains on your health and wallet.

When it comes to improving your gut health, it’s not enough to just go with your gut.

 

 

References

1. Clemente JC, Ursell LK, Parfrey LW, Knight R. 2012. The impact of the gut microbiota on human health: an integrative view. Cell 148: 1258–1270.

2. Hill C, Guarner F, Reid G, Gibson GR, Merenstein DJ, Pot B, et al. . The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nat Rev Gastro Hepat. (2014) 11:506–14. 10.1038/nrgastro.2014.66

3. West CE, Renz H, Jenmalm MC, Kozyrskyj AL, Allen KJ, Vuillermin P, et al. . The gut microbiota and inflammatory noncommunicable diseases: associations and potentials for gut microbiota therapies. J Allergy Clin Immunol. (2015) 135:3–13. 10.1016/j.jaci.2014.11.012

4. Hempel et al. (2012) Hempel S, Newberry SJ, Maher AR, Wang Z, Miles JN, Shanman R, Johnsen B, Shekelle PG. Probiotics for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2012;307:1959–1969. doi: 10.1001/jama.2012.3507.

5. Hickson M, D’Souza AL, Muthu N, et al.Use of probiotic Lactobacillus preparation to prevent diarrhea associated with antibiotics: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. BMJ 2007;335:80.

6. Jager R, Purpura M, Farmer S, Cash HA, Keller D. Probiotic Bacillus coagulans gbi-30, 6086 improves protein absorption and utilization. Probiotics Antimicro Prot. 2017; In Press

7. Jiang SM, Jia L, Zhang MH. Probiotic and lactulose: influence on gastrointestinal flora and pH value in minimal hepatic encephalopathy rats. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015;8(6):9996-10000. Published 2015 Jun 15.

8. Hungin A. P., Mulligan C., Pot B., et al. Systematic review: probiotics in the management of lower gastrointestinal symptoms in clinical practice—an evidence-based international guide. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2013;38(8):864–886. doi: 10.1111/apt.12460.

9. Moayyedi P, et al. The efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review. Gut. 2010;59:325–332. doi: 10.1136/gut.2008.167270.

10. Pesta DH, Samuel VT. A high-protein diet for reducing body fat: mechanisms and possible caveats. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2014;11(1):53. Published 2014 Nov 19. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-11-53

11. Leidy HJ, Clifton PM, Astrup A, Wycherley TP, Westerterp‐Plantenga MS, Luscombe‐Marsh ND, Woods SC, Mattes RD. The role of protein in weight loss and maintenance [Internet]. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015. p. ajcn084038.

 

 

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