{"id":1874,"date":"2018-04-28T13:20:04","date_gmt":"2018-04-28T13:20:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/uni-vite.com\/microbiotic\/?page_id=1874"},"modified":"2020-11-26T09:25:54","modified_gmt":"2020-11-26T09:25:54","slug":"which-probiotics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uni-vite.com\/microbiotic\/which-probiotics\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Probiotics?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Which Probiotics?<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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The importance of variety<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Different strains of probiotic bacteria have slightly different functions. They also colonise different places along the digestive tract. So probiotic supplements that contain multiple strains are more effective than products which contain very high concentrations of just one or two strains.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moreover most strains work synergistically with each other to influence your health. So, beyond a certain number, more diversity of strains is probably more important than sheer numbers of probiotic bacteria.<\/p>\n

In the West, we have considerably less microbial diversity than in other parts of the world and the likely cause is over use of antibiotics, antibacterial sprays and the prevalence of processed food which is largely produced in a sterile environment.<\/p>\n

Significantly, most less-developed countries may have higher rates of infectious diseases, but they generally have much lower levels of allergies and asthma.<\/p>\n

A wide ranging review of the subject in Nature Reviews Genetics<\/em>, entitled \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcThe Human Microbiome: at the interface of health and disease\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/strong>, confirmed the importance of bacterial diversity. It found that:<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153In H. pylori-negative individuals, gastric microbiota diversity is high.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori) is a very common but potentially dangerous bacterium that causes ulcers and gastric inflammation. Cancer Research UK also confirms that H. pylori is the cause of one in three stomach cancers. Other research suggests it may be a risk factor for heart disease.<\/p>\n

The same Nature Reviews Genetics paper confirms that reduced microbial diversity and imbalances in the microbiome are strongly linked to Crohn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Disease, liver disease, rheumatoid arthritis and obesity.<\/p>\n

The most important probiotic strains<\/span><\/h3>\n
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The Lactobacillus<\/strong><\/em> species are the predominant bacteria that reside in the small intestine. These species are responsible for producing lactase, the enzyme required to break down lactose (the sugar in milk). So a probiotic containing lactobacillus is often recommended in cases of lactose intolerance.<\/p>\n

They also collectively ferment carbohydrates in the gut, producing lactic acid as a result of this process. Lactic acid helps create an acidic environment in the digestive tract, which discourages many unwanted microorganisms that thrive in an alkaline environment. Lactic acid also increases absorption of minerals such as calcium, zinc, copper, magnesium and iron.<\/p>\n

The important point to remember is that probiotic bacteria work synergistically with each other and several strains have duplicate functions. So you don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to include all of the following. But you should have at least 5 – 7 shelf stable resistant strains in an effective probiotic supplement.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Lactobacillus<\/span><\/h4>\n