In recent years, probiotics have become increasingly popular. While once an unknown ingredient for improving your health, probiotics can now be found everywhere from your favourite yogurt to a pack of gum. One of the key reasons foods and supplements containing a variety of probiotic strains has become so popular is that the health benefits of probiotics have become more evident in recent years.

Some of these benefits include improved digestion, a stronger immune system, weight loss, and reducing the risk of disease (1). With an increase in research into our microbiome also detailing these benefits and the importance of good gut health, probiotics could be the key to addressing several health issues.

How Do Beneficial Bacteria Help to Protect You?

Everyone’s gut contains thousands of live microorganisms, some good and some bad. When you have too many harmful bacteria in our gut, you may experience health problems such as poor digestion, disease, a weak immune system and weight gain. The key to regulating the gut microbiome is in crowding out the pathogens (harmful bacteria) that cause health issues with the good bacteria from probiotics.

One of the key health problems that occur as a result of the harmful bacteria in your gut is the release of harmful chemicals. These chemicals include bactericide, acetic acid, and lactic acid (2). Probiotics can address these health problems as they contain good bacteria that regulate your gut’s microbiome.

The “healthy friendly bacteria” in probiotics strengthen the immune system by forming a barrier against harmful bacteria while letting good bacteria flourish. To realize the full benefits of probiotics via food and supplements, you need to ensure you’re ingesting probiotics that effectively adhere to the good bacteria already present in your gut. This process happens when good bacteria from the probiotics adheres to tissues in your intestinal mucus and epithelial cells — the cells that absorb nourishment and protect the body from harmful substances (3). It’s important to note that permanent colonisation of probiotics ingested through food and supplements is unlikely. This means you need to regularly eat foods or take supplements that contain “healthy friendly bacteria.”

What Health Conditions Can Certain Bacteria Help With?

Probiotics can help resolve several health issues from mental health problems to physical diseases and ailments. The good bacteria that can help address these health problems are contained in certain foods and probiotic supplements. Some foods that contain “healthy friendly bacteria” include yogurt, fermented foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi, pickles, tempeh, kimchi, kefir, and miso. When you’re shopping for these foods, take a look at the packaging to see which probiotic strains it contains.

Each probiotic supplement and food contains different strains of good bacteria, so it’s important to understand which strain you need. Below is a list of common health issues that can be healed with the “healthy friendly bacteria” in certain foods and probiotics.

Anxiety

The digestive system has a significant impact on your mood. The specific probiotic strains that can help heal anxiety are lactobacillus heleveticus R0052 and Bifidobacterium longum R0175 (4). These strains can be found in brands such as Eagle CytoPro Balance in Australia and Pure Encapsulations ProbioMood and Xymogen ProbioDefense in the USA.

Antibiotic-Induced Diarrhea

Antibiotics can be harsh on your digestive system causing issues such as diarrhoea. Antibiotic-induced diarrhoea occurs when your digestive system is unsettled by antibiotics. A recent study found that the strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii could reduce the risk of antibiotic-induced diarrhoea by 51% (5).

Colic

Several probiotic strains can ease pain and distress in babies including:

• Bifidobacterium breve PXN 25;
• Bifidobacterium infantis PXN 27;
• Lactobacillus casei PXN 37;
• Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus PXN 39;
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54;
• Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66PXN 37;
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54; and
• Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66 (6).

Bio-Kult’s supplements include these strains of probiotics.

Dental Caries

Some studies have found that probiotics can have a positive impact on dental health. The probiotic strain that can help prevent cavities and improve dental health is Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (7). This strain can be found in Culturelle’s products in the US, UK and Canada, and in Ethical Nutrients’ products in Australia.

Constipation

Several strains of probiotics can relieve constipation including:

• Bifidobacterium breve PXN 25;
• Bifidobacterium infantis PXN 27;
• Lactobacillus acidophilus PXN 35;
• Lactobacillus casei PXN 37;
• Lactobacillus delbrueckii spp. bulgaricus PXN 39;
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54;
• Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66PXN 37;
• Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus PXN 39;
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54; and
• Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66 (8).

These strains are active in Bio-Kult’s probiotic supplements.

Eczema

Several probiotic strains can help to heal eczema. These strains include:

• Bifidobacterium breve PXN 25; Bifidobacterium infantis PXN 27;
• Lactobacillus acidophilus PXN 35;
• Lactobacillus casei PXN 37;
• lactobacillus delbruceckii ssp. bulgaricus PXN 39;
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54;
• Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66 PXN 37;
• Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus PXN 39;
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54; and
• Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66 (9).

These strains are available in Bio-Kult’s supplements.

Mastitis

The probiotic strain Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 can help to heal mastitis (10). This strain is currently only available in PureMedical Qiara’s supplements sold in Australia.

Weight Loss

Probiotic strains from the lactobacillus family have been found to help with weight loss (11). Some yoghurts on the market contain lactobacillus fermentum or lactobacillus amylovorus. Otherwise, you could look for probiotic supplements that include these strains.

While there may not be one pill or supplement that can fix all of your health issues, the range of health benefits that can be realized through including a probiotic supplement or fermented food in your diet is worth looking into.

Remember, different strains of probiotics have different effects, so you should identify and understand your symptoms before you start taking a probiotic supplement. And as with any supplement or medication, you need to consult with a medical professional before you start taking anything new.

Probiotics aren’t for everyone, and you should only be taking a supplement if you’re experiencing a range of symptoms and health issues that could be resolved with supplementation.

The post The Exact Probiotic Strains You Should Take for Anxiety, Constipation, Eczema, Weight Loss, and 4 More appeared first on The Hearty Soul.