Although probiotics are generally recognized as safe, if you have a compromised or weakened immune system (like if you have chemotherapy treatments, a critical illness or you’ve recently had surgery) you should avoid taking probiotic supplements and probiotic foods. Several studies have reported significant alterations in the gut microbiota that may promote the development and persistence of IBS [ 14, 15, 16, 17]. A recently published meta-analysis of the molecular signature of intestinal microbiota showed a significantly lower abundancy of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium prausnitzi, but not the Bacteroides-Prevotella group, Escherichia coli, or other species in IBS patients compared with healthy controls [ 18]. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that a downregulation in the colonization of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species was mainly observed in IBS-D patients, which suggests that the presence of these bacteria could be responsible for intestinal homeostasis in IBS-D.

Studies into using probiotics to treat mental illness are ongoing and showing promise. Probiotics for females and males Bifidobacterium is present in our gut already and we have included a broad range of strains within this species to further complement natural bacteria. Causes reduced Lipopolysaccharide and IL-1β, improved the structure of intestinal flora and increased the fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) contentEach bacterial strain has its own unique properties and characteristics,” says Plaza. “It is because of this variety in characteristics that a combination of strains may be beneficial, potentially having a synergistic effect and supporting the environment of other strains. For general gut support, look for a multi-strain that contains not only different strains but also different species and genera.” Some probiotics aid in the breakdown of complex macronutrients and provide the host with digestive enzymes and vitamins which enhance the absorption of nutrients [ 43, 44]. Oak and Jha [ 27] showed the ability of some probiotics to lower lactose concentration in fermented food and increase the influx of lactase enzyme into the small intestine along with fermented food. The ability of probiotics to promote lactose fermentation has made them useful in treating lactose intolerance in humans [ 45]. Probiotics Bifidobacterium strains, such as B. longum and B. animalis, participate in the metabolism of oligosaccharides by secreting glycosyl hydrolases and stimulating beta-galactosidase activities [ 46]. Similarly, Lactobacillus species’ probiotic strains also exhibit high beta-galactosidase activities and increase insulin secretion, while S. boulardii expresses high disaccharidases alpha-glucosidases, alkaline phosphatases, and aminopeptidases activities [ 27]. Products often contain Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium species, although many other species exist. According to some research, different strains of the same species of probiotics can act in different ways. Inulin is a starchy substance found in a wide variety of fruits & vegetables. Our inulin is sourced from chicory root, making it a great natural source of fiber. B. bifidum (KCTC 12199BP), B. lactis (KCTC 11904BP), B. longum (KCTC 12200BP), L. acidophilus (KCTC 11906BP), L. rhamnosus (KCTC 12202BP) and S. thermophilus (KCTC 11870BP)

Also, look for a probiotic that is encapsulated with a food source, such as inulin, so it has something to feed off of and remain viable while sitting on the shelf. Look for name-brand probiotics and read up on some research Recently, there is a rising concern over the high prevalence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) pathogens worldwide. This global challenge is multifactorial and linked to selective pressure due to the frequent, prolonged, and irrational use of antibiotics in humans and animals [ 97]. The prolonged antimicrobial intake depletes the gut microbial populations thereby allowing the proliferation of pathogenic AMR pathogens like toxigenic Clostridium difficile, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteria, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species and other multi-drug resistant bacteria [ 98]. Patients on prolonged treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics are at high risk of antibiotics-associated diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis caused by antibiotic-resistant C. difficile and other pathogenic bacteria [ 99, 100]. Some probiotics’ ability to modulate the intestinal microbiome is one of the mechanisms by which they prevent antibiotics-associated diarrhea and decrease the spread of AMR bacteria [ 101]. Lakhtin, et al. [ 102] reported that multi-strain probiotics consisting of L. acidophilus (strains NK1, K3III24, 100 ash), Bifidobacterium adolescentis MC 42, B. bifidum, and B. gallinarum GB synergistically produced lectins with antimicrobial activity against clinical strains of nystatin-resistant Candida albicans, S. aureus, and their biofilms. Experimental administration of probiotics to mice showed the inhibition of C. difficile by a multi-strain probiotic containing four strains of E. faecalis [ 103] ( Table 1). Very similar work by Kondepudi, et al. [ 99] also showed the inhibition of C. difficile by the administration of multi-strain probiotics containing L. plantarum F44, L. paracasei F8, B. breve 46, and B. lactis to mice experimentally infected with C. difficile. The minimal side effects associated with the intake of probiotics for treatment coupled with the high incidence of reoccurrence of infections such as UTI [ 104] is also increasing the use of probiotics as a suitable alternative or adjunct therapeutic plan to conventional antimicrobials [ 33]. Probiotics do not leave residues or facilitate the development of resistance to antibiotics because they are preparations of live organisms [ 105]. Some multi-strain probiotics showed enhanced benefits due to the constituent strains’ synergy and additive effects resulting in high adhesion to the mucosae and pathogen inhibition within the digestive tract [ 66]. The genetics of the constituent species or strains of multi-microbial probiotics is vital for understanding the mechanisms by which they interact with each other, the intestinal microbiota, and the host. A comparative genomic analysis of the multi-strain probiotics VSL#3 by Douillard, et al. [ 67] revealed numerous genes that encode various bioactive substances associated with the probiotics’ health benefits. These include genes involved in lactose transport ( lacF), peptidase activity, carbohydrate, metal, and amino acid transport. Some bacteria are endowed with extra-cellular structures known as fimbriae or pili that can adhere to the intestinal epithelium [ 68, 69]. Two main types of pili are found in LAB and Bifidobacteria; the tight adherence pili (Tad pili) and the sortase-dependent pili where genes were found in some isolates of VSL#3 probiotics [ 67]. The Tad pilus gene clusters of B. breve (one of the VSL#3) strains are highly conserved and involved in gut colonization in mice [ 69]. All the isolates in VSL#3 also encoded cell-surface proteins carrying LPXTG motifs that enhance interactions with the host cells [ 67]. Several genes that encode fibronectin-binding region proteins, collagen adhesins, outer membrane proteins, fimbriae or pili were also identified in L. helveticus BD08, L. plantarum BP06, L. acidophilus BA05 and B. animalis subsp. lactis BL03 and BI04 with possible roles in host adherence [ 70]. Lactobacillus plantarum BP06 was shown to harbor the sortase-substrate, which were also present in L. plantarum WCFS1 in addition to a large mucus-binding protein that is O-glycosylated by N-acetyl-hexosamine [ 71]. These peptides are secreted in a glycosylated form and may have a host signaling function [ 72]. The presence of the genes encoding Tad pili, sortase-dependent pili, mucus binding proteins, some even glycosylated, and S-layer proteins involved in the interactions of probiotic isolates with one another, the host cells and the host’s microbiota showed that the combination of different species and strains might offer possible complementary, additive and synergistic effects in the gut [ 67]. Experimental assessment of the effects of single-strain probiotics of L. helveticus R0052, B. longum subsp. infantis R0033, and B. bifidum R0071 and the multi-strain preparation of all the three isolates revealed that the multi-strain synergistically influenced both T-helper type 1 (T H1) and T-helper type 2 (T H2) responses in Wistar rat models infected with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, respectively [ 73]. The mechanism by which the multi-strain probiotics exerts their effects was proposed to be through the downregulation of the nuclear factor-kappa-B (NFκB) pathway [ 74].

How well the microbes survive is key to their effectiveness, so the best probiotics will ensure the microbes reach the gut largely intact. https://www.cell.com/cell-host-microbe/fulltext/S1931-3128(16)30440-1?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1931312816304401%3Fshowall%3Dtrue Some people take probiotics to maintain everyday health. When using a probiotic for a specific health concern, people should speak to a healthcare professional about the best strategy. Clinical trials show that different probiotics and dosages are effective for different conditions and situations. There are no standard specifications when it comes to the recommended CFUs. Probiotic supplements tend to contain anywhere from one to 10 billion CFU per serving, with some up to 100 billion. This product is vegetarian. It does not contain any dairy or artificial colors and flavors. It is processed in a facility that handles dairy, shellfish, and wheat.