facebooktwitterlinkedin MARKETS WE SERVE PRODUCTS QUALITY MANUFACTURING ABOUT US LEARN CAREERS CONTACT US PROBIOTICS 101 What are Probiotics? Probiotics are those bacteria that are often referred to as “good”, “friendly” or “beneficial” bacteria. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines probiotics as “a living microorganism which, when administered in adequate amounts, confers health benefits to the host.” Probiotic bacteria may be consumed in foods or supplements. Probiotic-rich foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh and kimchi. When consumed, probiotics are able to thrive in the intestinal environment and provide benefits that aid in digestion and support normal bowel function. Categories of Probiotics Many types of bacteria are classified as probiotics, and they all have different benefits. Probiotics typically fall into the category of lactic acid-producing bacteria, spore formers, and yeasts. The name of a bacterium will tell you its genus, species and particular strain. For example: LACTIC ACID-PRODUCTION BACTERIA (LAB) SPORES YEASTS Benefits of Probiotics It may be hard to imagine, but our bodies are home to more than 100 trillion microorganisms…this means that the bacteria in your body outnumber your body’s cells 10 to 1! You are more bacteria than you are…well, “you”. The majority of these bacteria reside in the gut, and are roughly 70% “good” or healthy bacteria, and 30% “bad” bacteria. Most of the gut flora is found in the colon, or large intestine, the last part of the digestive tract. The gut flora performs a variety of functions that are important for health. In fact, 70% of our immune cells are located in the digestive tract, making the health of the digestive tract critical to overall health. A healthy and well-balanced gut flora facilitates digestion, protects us from pathogens, provides vitamins and nutrients and helps form the immune system. Dozens of different probiotic bacteria have been shown to have health benefits. And within each group, there are many different species, and each species has many strains. Different probiotic strains affect different health conditions. For example, studies have found particular benefits associated with many of the LABs: Lactobacillus acidophilus – Maintains integrity of intestinal walls Lactobacillus fermentum – Helps neutralize toxic products made during digestion, promotes a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut Lactobacillus rhamnosus – The “travel probiotic“- found to be effective in reducing occurrences of traveler’s diarrhea Bifidobacteria bifidum – Promotes healthy digestion in both small and large intestines; especially helpful for proper digestion of dairy Bifidobacteria longum – Helps crowd out bad bacteria, helps neutralize everyday toxins in the gut, breaks down carbohydrates without producing excess gas Similarly, spore-forming probiotic bacteria have demonstrated the ability to crowd out bad bacteria for a more balanced gut flora, and increase immune reaction of intestinal cells. For example, the Bacillus subtilis strain exhibits a wide range of probiotic benefits, including: Produces many enzymes, several of which help break down food including plant materials the human body can’t digest Has been shown to inhibit the growth of H. pylori, an organism associated with the occurrence of ulcers Has beneficial effects on the immune system Produces some fungicidal compounds, which control fungal pathogens such as Candida Pro Tips MEASURING POTENCY WITH CFU CREATING A PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENT FORMULA Lactobacilli L. ACIDOPHILUS L. BREVIS L. LACTIS L. PARACASEI L. RHAMNOSUS L. SALIVARIUS Bifidobacteria B. BIFIDUM B. BREVE B. LACTIS B. LONGUM Spore Formers B. SUBTILIS Related Articles How Enzyme Supplements Support Athletes in Achieving Optimal Sports Performance READ MORE How Do Probiotic Supplements Boost Athletic Performance? READ MORE Digestible Podcast: The Future Of Microbiome Product Development READ MORE Probiotics & Prebiotics: Important Weapons in the Immunity Battle READ MORE LOAD MORE Copyright © 2021, Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes, Inc All Rights Reserved. Contact UsCareersTerms & ConditionsPrivacy Policy facebooktwitterlinkedin We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume consent.AcceptPrivacy policy