Probiotics to restore intestinal microflora: the expert told which are the best

Should you take probiotics?

Probiotics are live bacteria that contribute to the improvement of the intestinal microflora, the so-called “good” bacteria. They are a combination of good bacteria and/or yeast that naturally live in the body and help keep it healthy, including fighting “bad” bacteria when there are too many of them. They are part of a larger picture of the bacteria in the human body – the microbiome, which is made up of bacteria, fungi, including yeasts, viruses and protozoa. Each person’s microbiome is unique.

The main task of good bacteria is to maintain a healthy balance in the body. That is, good bacteria fight bad bacteria, making you feel good. Therefore, it is certainly worth taking probiotic supplements, at least as a prevention of various undesirable conditions.

Good bacteria keep children and adults healthy by supporting immune function and controlling inflammation. Some species help the body digest food, keep bad bacteria out of control, and are involved in the formation of vitamins. They also help support the cells that line the intestines to prevent bad bacteria that you can ingest from food or drinks from entering your bloodstream, and aid in the breakdown and absorption of drugs.

Eating a balanced, fiber-rich diet every day helps keep the good bacteria healthy.

Can probiotics hurt?

Many people take them with food or supplements in hopes of improving their digestion. But studies by Austrian scientists show that when standard strains of probiotic bacteria are consumed, approximately 20 percent of them are resistant – meaning that the bacteria cannot take root in their children’s and adults’ intestines and colonize it. But nevertheless, in the remaining 80 percent, they successfully reproduce.

In addition, a study by the same team of scientists suggests that they may have potentially harmful effects if taken immediately after antibiotics. How? The fact is that taking probiotics “in the wake” of antibiotics can delay the return of a normal microbiome due to the fact that the body does not accept beneficial bacteria, mistaking them for harmful ones. This somewhat contradicts the idea that they always help to “populate” the intestines after antibiotics have destroyed almost all the beneficial flora.

How are probiotics different from prebiotics?

You should know that bacteria to improve the flora are divided into two groups: prebiotics and probiotics. The first are means that help restore microflora by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria and directly filling the intestines with beneficial microorganisms: lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and lactic enterococci. These microorganisms are found in large quantities directly in the preparations. If you take them, then the restoration of the flora occurs due to the fact that beneficial bacteria begin to destroy the pathogenic flora.

In turn, prebiotics help restore the intestinal flora in a slightly different way. They do not colonize the intestinal space, but create an environment conducive to the rapid growth of the remaining beneficial bacteria. To improve the microflora in the shortest possible time and in order to see a positive result, it is advisable to take both at the same time.

People with chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract should take probiotics. Because such a disease may well provoke dysbacteriosis, and you need to take drugs that will help restore the flora.

Classification of probiotics

There are many types of beneficial bacteria that are considered probiotic. The most common include various strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Benefits vary by strain, and each bacterial strain has a different mechanism of action. So if you know a good strain that has helped, say, irritable bowel syndrome and take it in the hope that it will boost your immune function, you may not get the desired effect. In other words, different strains act on the body in different ways – they are not interchangeable.

Lactobacillus is found in yogurt and other fermented foods. They help with diarrhea and people who cannot digest lactose, the sugar in milk.

Bifidobacterium is found in some dairy products and helps relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and several other conditions.

There is also Saccharomyces boulardii, a yeast found in probiotics. They help fight diarrhea and other digestive problems.

How to choose probiotics for the intestines?

Today in pharmacies you can find a huge number of effective drugs. The most good and useful are preparations that contain a large number of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. There are also drugs that help restore the flora, in which bifidobacteria are mixed with other representatives of the beneficial flora.

When it comes to prebiotics, the best preparations are those that contain short chain fatty acids and natural lactic acid. These two components well restore the full functioning of the gastric tract and prevent all symptoms of exacerbation of dysbacteriosis.

It should be added that it is difficult to improve the flora with the help of beneficial bacteria in the presence of chronic diseases of the digestive system. In this case, drugs to restore the flora are not enough, they will not be able to solve the problem – you need to undergo complex treatment, that is, take special medicines and enzymes prescribed by a doctor.

At the same time, for a simple restoration of microflora, you can take bacteria that are sold in powders, tablets and capsules. Sometimes it is more effective to put special candles: thanks to them, beneficial bacteria reach their destination safe and sound, without any obstacles.

Probiotics in foods

It’s no secret that you can improve the flora with good folk remedies and by eating certain foods. But first of all, it is necessary to observe the drinking regimen. Quite often, diseases of the digestive system are provoked by the fact that the body does not have enough water.

In sufficient quantities, you need to eat dried apricots, prunes and honey. You can take all these ingredients in equal proportions, pass through a meat grinder and consume a tablespoon once a day, preferably at the same time. You can think about medicinal herbs that will help solve the problem quite effectively and safely for health. For this, use blackcurrant or raspberry leaves, medicinal mint and lemon balm, chamomile and St. John’s wort, yarrow. Also, any sour berries will help restore the flora. For this purpose, you can use cranberries or wild rose.

There are a number of probiotic products on the market, including yogurts that contain them, as well as supplements and skin creams, and many people buy them. However, if yogurt is labeled as containing “live active cultures” on its packaging, it does not necessarily mean that it contains probiotics. Also, some studies show that there is no convincing evidence of their effectiveness in most serious diseases.

At the same time, it is worth forgetting about healthy and proper nutrition, which will help maintain the health of the entire digestive system. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits so that there is no lack of vitamins and minerals. Thus, immunity will be much stronger, which means that the microflora will not suffer, because the body will give good resistance.

And of course, if you notice symptoms of a disease such as dysbacteriosis, it is advisable not to rely on the effect of beneficial bacteria, contact a specialist for examination and diagnosis. If the treatment is timely, then there will be no time for any negative impact of pathogenic microflora on the body.

Expert opinion

Ivan Prokhorov, nutritionist:

– In addition to improving the functioning of the digestive system, probiotic foods may be beneficial for people with skin conditions such as eczema. They affect the functioning of the urinary tract, prevent allergies and colds, and also affect the condition of the oral cavity.

However, they should not be taken unsupervised by one’s own choice. First, ask your doctor if an appointment is right for you. In general, these foods and supplements are considered safe, although some people with immune system problems should not consume them. Sometimes side effects include upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and allergic reactions. In these cases, stop taking them immediately.