Other strains may pass through the small intestine and take up residence when they reach the large intestine or bowel. Where probiotics choose to reside is governed predominantly by the specific conditions in different areas of the gut including pH levels of acidity or alkalinity , oxygen levels, and the type of bacteria in the microbiome 4.
Some areas of the gut have more oxygen available like the small intestine, whereas other areas have little or no oxygen like parts of the large intestine, making those areas only suitable for certain strains of bacteria that do not need oxygen to survive.
Additionally, the pH differs at different points along the digestive tract, with the small intestine typically being more acidic than the large intestine. Although, as we have learned, it can be a challenge for probiotic bacteria to travel through the highly acidic stomach, which can reach acidity levels of around pH 1. It is important to choose a probiotic supplement which contains strains that have been proven to reach the gut alive.
It is commonly believed that probiotics need to be taken in enteric-coated capsules to protect the probiotics as they pass through the stomach before being released into the gut.
This is not necessary for probiotic strains which are resilient and able to reach the gut without damage. Learn more about common probiotic myths by reading The Survival Myth. The good bacteria compete with pathogens for both their food sources and space in which to live, making it difficult for the undesirable bacteria to survive 9.
Probiotics also produce certain acids 10 which discourage pathogen growth, whilst improving the gut environment for their own benefit and for the benefit of other types of good bacteria, which also begin to grow in numbers. When the gut microbiome comes into balance with increased levels of beneficial bacteria and reduced levels of pathogenic bacteria, the individual may notice an improvement in their digestion and wellbeing.
This is because gut pathogens produce many toxins 11 and other substances that negatively affect our health, whereas probiotic strains of bacteria produce beneficial substances, including certain vitamins and short-chain-fatty-acids that have a positive impact on our overall health. Our gut is home to a delicate ecosystem of microbes, and many factors affect which strains flourish, and which ones may struggle. When we take a probiotic supplement, not only are we introducing new friendly bacteria to the gut, we are also facilitating the growth of our own indigenous friendly bacteria.
Second, the other immune-modulating property of some probiotic strains is the stimulation of Secretory Immunoglobulin A sIgA secretion.
SIgA is an antibody that plays a crucial role in the immune function of mucosal membranes. The gut and the brain stand in constant communication with one another. Oftentimes, an imbalance in gut bacteria goes along with increased anxiety. In addition, leaky gut is often associated with inflammation in the brain, which can also impact mood and how you respond to stressful situations.
Whereas research is still in its early stages and ongoing, research has shown that certain types of bacteria are more common in thin people whereas other types of bacteria are more common in overweight individuals. Depending on which type of bacteria you have more of, your weight can be affected. In addition, if your gut flora is out of balance, there is an opportunity for bad bacteria and other pathogens such as Candida Albicans to grow. Many of these pathogens can send signals to the brain that encourage the body to crave sugar.
The more sugar you eat, the better these bad bacteria and other pathogens can thrive and grow! A high-quality probiotic can help rebalance the diversity of good bacteria in your gut, which in turn can affect your metabolism and what types of foods you crave. To learn more about probiotics and weight loss, check out our blog post here. Multiple studies have established a strong link between gut health and cognitive health.
An imbalance in your gut bacteria often leads to inflammation in the gut. Over time, this inflammation makes your gut barrier permeable leaky gut.
As a result, larger food particles, pathogens and toxins can enter your bloodstream and eventually reach the brain where they trigger inflammation as well. This inflammatory process negatively impacts cognitive function. Probiotic supplementation may also improve your cognitive function as a result of restoring a healthy gut barrier.
Some harmful bacteria and other pathogens such as Candida Albicans can trick the body into craving sugar. This benefits the pathogens as sugar is one of their main food sources. The more sugar you eat, the faster they can grow and proliferate.
Taking a high quality, multispecies and multistrain probiotic supplement will improve the diversity of your gut flora and leave less opportunity for these pathogens to grow. In fact, certain strains of probiotics are known to have properties that fight Candida Albicans and other pathogens.
If you are taking a high quality, multispecies and multistrain supplement, you can expect to notice initial improvements and health benefits of probiotics in your digestion as early as the first weeks after starting your probiotic. Depending on how sensitive you are, many people feel a difference after a few days. More fundamental effects of the probiotics such as improvements to mood, weight loss or a reduction in inflammation of your gut barrier might set in after weeks. Taking the supplement incorrectly: Check the intake instructions of your supplement to ensure that you are taking it correctly.
Wrong probiotic strain: Different bacterial strains specialize in different functions in your gut and can have vastly different effects on your body. If you are not seeing improvements in your digestive health, you might simply be taking a probiotic that does not contain the right strains for you.
A qualified healthcare practitioner with gut health experience can provide you with medical advice and may be able to direct you to the right probiotic. Once again, we recommend looking for a probiotic specific to your health needs for optimal results. Improper storage: Some probiotic supplements require refrigeration to ensure the survival of the bacteria. If these probiotics are left outside of the fridge for prolonged periods of time or exposed to too much heat, then the probiotic bacteria may have died and are no longer effective.
Poor product quality: There are many probiotics to choose from and unfortunately product quality is difficult to determine for the consumer. Product quality is based on many factors, but the overarching ones to look out for are the science the products are based on, the manufacturing process, the source and quality of the bacteria strains, and the composition of the product itself.
Each of these factors can negatively impact product quality and the success you experience with the product. Incorrect dose: Taking an incorrect dose may also impact how quickly you are seeing results. Make sure to check the label and intake instructions for details. Multispecies and multistrain probiotic : The product should contain different bacterial species and multiple strains of bacteria.
Differentiated products tailored to your needs: Different digestive issues warrant different probiotic strains. Therefore, for optimal benefits, try to seek out a probiotic that is tailored to the specific health outcomes you are trying to achieve. Clinical studies: The probiotic and its claims should be backed by clinical studies using the final product.
Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium longum have the most weight of evidence behind them for IBS. Before her natural health career, Alex was a journalist and copywriter. She continues to write for magazines and media agencies, and now combines her two great passions—writing and health—by creating content that empowers people to claim their right to a healthy body and mind.
Back to top. Parasites were once all the rage in the world of wellness, but lately, SIBO has stolen the limelight. Today, you Our one-pot Moroccan Chicken Stew is packed full of flavour and perfect paired with rice, roasted veggies or fresh bread. The best diet for leaky gut is full of nutrient-dense whole foods, with a diverse range of fruits and vegetables.
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