There are many different probiotic supplements for sale, but which one should you use? One of the primary requirements is to choose a product that contains different bacterial strains. To get you started, we have listed the primary ones below.
Lactobacillus plantarum
In 1986 this bacterial strain was isolated from healthy human intestinal tissue in Lund, Sweden. This probiotic strain had the best results in most of the related trials, four in all. Only one study showed little effect.
The most recent research was supported by the Rosell-Lallemand Institute in France and Probi AB, a Swedish company, which owns the application rights to this strain. About 200 patients were recruited in this study. Half of the group took the probiotic supplement for four weeks and showed significant improvements. They had less abdominal pain, bloating, and bowel frequency improved. Most importantly, the majority of patients who took the supplement saw improvements, as compared to just a fraction of patients who took the placebo.
Bifidobacterium infantis 35624
This strain of bacteria was isolated from pieces of healthy human intestines in Ireland. In 2006, a large study was conducted with 362 patients. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms in women were investigated with different doses of B. infantis 35624. With the correct dose, the group had a significant reduction in abdominal pain or discomfort, a reduction in bloating and gas, and an improvement in the overall way they felt.
Lactobacillus Bulgaricus Probiotic Information
Bulgaricus is one of the first probiotic strains ever studied. Russian Nobel Laureate, Ilya Mechnikov, first isolated Lactobacillus Bulgaricus around 1882 when he discovered the probiotic’s role in digestive health. Ilya Mechnikov found L. Bulgaricus in fermented sour milk. He attributed the longevity of the people of the Balkans to their consumption of sour milk, fermented foods and the probiotic L. Bulgaricus contained in those foods.
In the 1960s and 1970s there was extensive research on this probiotic by Russian researchers such as Dr. Ivan Bogdanov. Here’s a full list of the benefits that were found:
- lower triglycerides, LDL levels, total cholesterol
- boost immunity and fight viruses
- reduce leaky gut symptoms
- reduce diarrhea and nausea
- improve digestion
- reduce inflammation
- Improve IBS symptoms
- reduce tooth decay
- coping with HIV symptoms
- reduce leaky gut
- fights against dyspepsia
Saccharomyces Boulardii
Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast, a type of fungus. Saccharomyces boulardii was previously identified as a unique yeast species, but is now considered a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast). Saccharomyces boulardii is used as a drug for the treatment and prevention of diarrhea, including infectious species such as rotaviral diarrhea in children, diarrhea caused by gastrointestinal (GI) takeover (overgrowth) by “bad” bacteria in adults, traveler’s diarrhea and diarrhea associated with tube feeding . It is also used to prevent and treat diarrhea caused by antibiotic use.
Saccharomyces boulardii is also used for common digestive problems, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBD, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis), Lyme disease, a bowel disease called recurrent Clostridium difficile colitis, and bacterial overgrowth in short bowel syndrome. Some people use Saccharomyces boulardii for lactose intolerance, urinary tract infections (UTIs), vaginal yeast infections, high cholesterol, hives, fever blisters, canker sores and adolescent acne.