The Best Probiotic – How to Choose?
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Digestive health is key to our overall well-being and longevity. Probiotics are some of the best allies for maintaining healthy gut flora and dealing with problems like bloating, gas, and antibiotic-related disorders.
But how do you choose the best probiotic for you? Whether you have stomach and intestinal issues, suffer from bloating, or want to support your health after taking antibiotics, this article will help you make an informed choice.
What are probiotics and why are they important?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits to the body when taken in sufficient amounts. They maintain a balance in the gut microbiome, which plays a key role in:
- Improve digestion, reduce bloating and gas.
- Strengthening the immune system.
- Restoration of microflora after use of antibiotics.
- Maintaining vaginal health in women.
Types of probiotics and how to choose the best one?
Wondering what makes a probiotic “the best”? The best probiotic is one that is tailored to your specific needs and contains high-quality, tested ingredients.
It is important to choose a product that offers a wide range of strains to get the maximum effect.
Main Probiotic Strains and Their Benefits
To choose the best probiotic for you, it’s important to know which probiotic strains offer the most benefit. Here’s a quick guide to some of the most effective strains:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Improves digestion and aids in the breakdown of lactose.
- Helps with bloating and gas.
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Supports the immune system and reduces the risk of diarrhea when taking antibiotics.
- It is often used for women’s health.
- Lactobacillus reuteri
- Supports oral health and reduces inflammation.
- Suitable for babies with colic.
- Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus
One of the main strains used to make traditional Bulgarian yogurt. This strain is particularly effective for improving digestion and strengthening immunity. - Lactobacillus plantarum
- Regulates swelling and improves intestinal permeability.
- Reduces oxidative stress in the body.
- Lactobacillus casei
- Improves digestion and reduces constipation.
- It is often used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Balances the microbiome in the colon.
- Reduces inflammation and improves overall gut health.
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Improves the absorption of nutrients.
- Supports skin health.
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- A staple strain for colon health.
- Reduces symptoms of lactose intolerance.
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- The only probiotic yeast.
- Suitable for combating diarrhea, especially when taking antibiotics.
- Streptococcus thermophilus
- Improves lactic acid synthesis.
- Maintains stomach health.
- Bacillus coagulans
- It survives stomach acid and reaches the intestines in an active form.
- It improves overall digestion and relieves bloating.
How do we know which probiotic is right for us?
Choosing the right probiotic depends on a number of factors, including age, gender, and health status. Here’s how to make an informed choice:
- For gastrointestinal issues
such as bloating and gas, it’s best to choose a probiotic with strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacterium bifidum. [1] - For antibiotics,
Saccharomyces boulardii has been tried and tested for preventing diarrhea associated with antibiotic therapy. [2] - For women,
Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri are the best probiotics for maintaining vaginal and urinary health. [3] - For immunity:
Strains like Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium longum help strengthen the immune system. [4] - For children and infants
Choose probiotics with proven safety, such as Bifidobacterium breve.
Probiotics for specific health conditions
- Diarrhea: The most effective probiotics include Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus.
- Irritable bowel syndrome: Bifidobacterium longum is among the best for relieving symptoms.
- Bloating and gas: Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum are tried and tested solutions.
How to check the quality of probiotics?
Choosing a quality probiotic is key to achieving the desired results. Here are some tips:
- Live Culture Count (CFU): When choosing a probiotic, it’s important to look at the colony-forming unit (CFU) count. Products with over 100 billion CFU offer a stronger effect, especially for severe microflora imbalances. [5]
- Certification: Look for products that have passed independent quality testing and are free of artificial additives.
- Expiration date: Make sure the product is not expired.
- Proven benefits: Check if the product has been studied in clinical trials.
How to use probiotics correctly for the best effect?
For maximum results, follow these guidelines:
- Taking with antibiotics: Take the probiotic two hours after the antibiotic to avoid its neutralization.
- Morning intake: Consume probiotics on an empty stomach or 30 minutes before meals for optimal absorption.
- Consistency: Take the probiotic daily for long-lasting results.
The highest quality probiotics on the market
If you are looking for tried and tested products, we recommend choosing a probiotic with a high concentration of CFU and a variety of strains. One of the best probiotics is Probiotic 9-Vital:
- 9 probiotic strains that have proven their effectiveness.
- 200 billion CFU in each capsule, ensuring maximum effect.
- Clinically tested longevity formula, suitable for both the stomach and intestines, as well as overall health.
Trust quality and science to improve your health today!
Sources:
[1] Shah, S. (2024). The “pro” and “con” of probiotics, regulation and preterm infant health. Nature.
[2] Marchiori, GN, Loyola, MA, & Sánchez, CML (2024). Gut health-promoting foods intake in Argentine adults: the impact of knowledge, socio-demographic factors, and clinical-nutritional health. ScienceDirect.
[3] Diab, AM, El-Rahman, FA, & Khalfallah, MM (2024). Gut Dysbiosis and Probiotic Therapy in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Comprehensive Review. Springer.
[4] Tian, Q., Ye, H., Zhou, X., Wang, J., & Zhang, L. (2024). Evaluating the health risk of probiotic supplements from the perspective of antimicrobial resistance. ASM Journals.
[5] García, G., Soto, J., Díaz, A., Barreto, J., Soto, C., & Pérez, AB (2024). Clinical and In Vitro Safety of Heyndrickxia coagulans AO 1167B: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. MDPI.