The Best Probiotic Strains for Good Health (2022)

probiotic strains

The Benefits of probiotics - everything you need to know

What are probiotic strains?

It might be a scary thought that there are literally trillions of bacteria living in your body, some of these are probiotic strains.

But don’t panic just yet – the majority of bacteria that exist inside us are good! 

I’m sure you’ve seen the adverts on TV about the good bacterias in food such as Greek yogurts, that support good bacteria in your gut.

The intestine is one of the parts of the human body that hosts the most bacteria.

Bacteria are known as live microorganisms and gut microbiota and gut microbiome are common bacteria involved in our digestive system, gastrointestinal tract, and immune system.

Probiotics can play an important role in balancing two things:

  1. The number of bacteria that cause disease
  2. The number of bacteria that fight infection

The bacterial balance between bad bacteria and good bacteria should always be equal.

probiotic strains

If the number of bad bacteria increases in your body, it is more likely that they will affect your overall health in numerous ways. 

Some health issues caused by this imbalance don’t require proper medication, but sometimes can be more serious, requiring clinical help  to get you back to good health.

The recommended way to fight bad bacteria in your digestive tract, small intestine, large intestine is by using the best probiotics

Probiotic supplements have many health benefits for the human body but should only be taken if prescribed by a doctor.

The Genus of probiotic strains

There are a lot of probiotic products available on the market, which is quite possibly why you are reading this post!

All of these strains have different functions and treat our bodies in different ways. 

It can be a confusing business trying to understand the use of different probiotic strains – but we’ve got you covered.

Probiotics are split into 3 types:

  1. Strain
  2. Species
  3. Genus

The most popular genera of probiotics that provide many health benefits are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.

1. Lactobacillus

Lactobacillus is only found in the vagina or small intestine 

Lactobacillus functions by producing stomach acid, which deals with the gut bacteria and gives us good gut health and vaginal health.

Lactobacillus also enhances mineral absorption of the body. 

A study showed that women who received the best probiotic strain supplement consisting of L. rhamnosus in pregnancy had lowered anxiety, stress, and depression scores in the postpartum periods.

The Lactobacillus genus includes four species that are used in probiotics.

Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus reuteri are also known as Lactobacillus Reuteri. 

2. Bifidobacterium

Bifidobacterium can be found in the colon or large intestine. Another name for Bifidobacterium is lactic acid bacteria

This genus helps in supporting immune health

Bifidobacterium functions in the large intestine by limiting the growth of bacteria.

The similarity between the both is that they both function to break down lactose in our immune function.

The species of Bifidobacterium are Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium infantis.

Choosing the Best Probiotic Strains

To be one of the best probiotic strains on the market, the specific strains of probiotics should consist of active and live bacteria cultures. 

The most recommended probiotic products are the ones that consist of Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus, or Bifidobacterium, and the product should contain a minimum of 1 billion colony forming units.

But you have to search deeper because each genus contains vast and different strains of probiotics that give different results.

Various foods and supplements contain probiotics.

For example, yogurt consists of two bacterial cultures such as lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus

When choosing a probiotic product, remember always to check the product label that shows how much bacteria the probiotic contains.

You should consider if you’d prefer dietary supplements over probiotic or dairy products.

It’s essential to check the time of manufacture and expiration date as you don’t want to buy an expired product!

When it comes to probiotic food, It’s a wiser choice to use Fermented foods.

Here are some of the foods that provide excellent nourishment, where bacteria strain releases a vital byproduct:

  1. Kefir (You can make your own Kefir – wholefully.com)
  2. Kombucha
  3. Yogurt
  4. Kimchi
  5. Miso

4 Important Tips for Choosing Probiotic Strains

  1. Seek out the right bacteria
  2. CFUs (Colony Forming Unit) should be carefully checked
  3. Make sure that the Probiotic has been stored properly
  4. Try to look for third party verification

How to use a Probiotic Product

Have you  ever wondered what the best way is to get started with probiotics? Then we’ve got you covered.

Just follow these 5 steps:

  • Get Started

There’s no harm in taking probiotics. probiotics are recommended safe by all drug administrators, but it’s not recommended to use probiotics if you have a weak immune system. Check with your physician if you’re unsure if probiotics are safe for you.

  • Take Your Time

Finding the best probiotics for you can take some time. Proceed with patience, do a little research and be prepared to switch up what you use…

  • Change if Needed

The best way to find the ideal Probiotic is by using it for a week, and if no positive results are observed, you should change the probiotics. 

If the desired results do begin to take shape, then stick with the probiotic – because that’s ideal for your health type.

  • Check for Symptoms

Your stool patterns can be changed by probiotics, accompanied by gas and bloating. If any of these symptoms occur, don’t worry because these are the indications that your Probiotic is working correctly. 

If you’re unsure of any side effects, contact a medical professional

  • Balanced Diet

The good bacteria present in your gut health can flourish with the use of proper probiotics

To get the best out of your diet, you should consider taking a protein-based diet consisting of onion, green bananas, beans, and fermented fiber. 

The 8 Best Types of Probiotics for your health

Your unique medical conditions determine the type of probiotic product you should choose for your digestive health and digestive issues.

As discussed earlier, there are more than millions of bacteria in our body, and most of them can be found in the gut. 

The different strains of bacteria make up your gut microbiota, also known as gut flora.

The impact of outside sources on our bodies vary, because we’re all unique.

To relieve the conditions you’re suffering with, you should choose the best type of probiotic genus for you. 

Here’s a list of specific probiotic strains, physical conditions, and different effects of probiotics that have helped certain types of people:

1. Probiotics for Irritable Bowel Syndrome | Constipation

The main symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) aren’t related to stool frequency or consistency. Instead, many people experience:

  • Nausea
  • Gas
  • Lower abdominal pain 

After many clinical trials and research, it’s been found that Lactis BL050 is helpful to children, giving them relief from constipation.

The results from these products can result in less bloating, belching, and fullness of the abdominal.

The best type of syndrome that can be used to treat constipation is a combination of Lactobacillus reuteri PBS072, Acidophilus PBS066, Lactobacillus Plantarum, also known as l. plantarum PBS067, Rhamnosus LRH020, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp.

A review consisting of 19 clinical studies found many people taking probiotics reported improvement in IBS symptoms.

Results varied from person to person, but unfortunately, the researchers could not determine which Probiotic was the best in relieving pain and giving the best results.

The symptoms of IBS are diverse and vary from person to person.

Due to this, some people improve while others don’t. For instance, one clinical research in recent years found out that S. cerevisiae efficiently improved constipation, but didn’t have much effect on discomfort and abdominal pain. 

Other studies about probiotic research show that the people with diarrhea-predominant IBS were treated with a different strain of probiotics supplement form known as VSL#3.

The VSL#3 contained the strains: 

  • Streptococcus
  • Bifidobacterium
  • Lactobacillus. 

The supplement VSL#3 did not improve inflammatory bowel disease and consistency but efficiently treated bloating.

2. Probiotics for Diarrhea

Increased frequency of loose, watery bowel movements is known as diarrhea.

It can be accompanied by vomiting and fever that lasts up to 7 days.

The most effective bacterial strains for diarrhea commonly have a combination of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus.

Studies show that patients who were given antibodies with Bio-K+ probiotic bacteria strains that include l. casei, l. rhamnosus, and l. acidophilus for more than five days, had a minor occurrence of diarrhea.

Clinical research of over 8,000 participants (mainly children and infants), found that the duration of diarrhea was shortened by 25 hours using multi-strain probiotics.

Compared with the patients who didn’t take any strain of bacteria, it led to one less bowel movement in those who took the probiotic.

In recent years, a clinical trial with over 2,400 participants showed that infectious diarrhea could be treated with a daily dose of lactobacillus rhamnosus gg.

It was found that the use of these supplements had led to significant reductions in the duration of diarrhea. 

In the analysis conducted, it was shown that the duration of acute infectious diarrhea was shortened by one day with the use of Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.

A combination of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are most effective for Diarrhea.

3. Mental Conditions and probiotics

Your mental condition can influence your gut health. 

Mental illness consists of different factors such as:

  • Stress
  • Extremely low/high mood
  • Anxiety
  • Chemical imbalance 

Many studies prove that gut health is directly influenced by pressure and stress.

Depression, stress, and anxiety are becoming an issue for most adults these days.

Luckily (as the name might suggest) beneficial bacteria probiotics have many beneficial effects that can help people with these problems. 

A recent study showed that the women who received a strain of the best probiotic supplement consisting of L. rhamnosus in pregnancy had lowered anxiety, stress, and depression scores in the postpartum periods.

4. Boost Immunity with Probiotics

Many of the studies show that probiotics supplements can influence the balance shift of gut bacteria.

It increases the defences of the body against allergic reactions, cancer, and infections. These probiotics are B. longum, L. GG, L. gasseri, and B. barium.

These bacteria strains can reduce the risk of eczema and respiratory illness in children and play an essential role in reducing the risk of urinary tract infections in adult women.

These probiotics also come in handy to reduce inflammation which is a cause of many diseases.

A study conducted by the drug administration, gave older adults a combination of B. longum, B. bifidum, and L. gasseri.

After three weeks their inflammatory markers had decreased and the anti-inflammatory characteristics had been increased.

5. Support brain health with probiotics

Gut health and brain health have a strong connection with each other. 

Short-chain fatty acids are produced that nourish the gut by the bacteria that are present in our colon.

The bacteria digest and ferment fiber that in turn raises our gut health.

These are also beneficial for the nervous system and brain.

A review of different studies on humans and animals showed that the various types of probiotics could help reduce: 

  • Poor memory
  • Autism
  • Depression
  • Anxiety

The 5 most commonly used strains of probiotics in these studies are: 

  1. Lactobacillus rhamnosus
  2. Bifidobacterium longum
  3. Bifidobacterium infantis
  4. Lactobacillus helveticus Bifidobacterium breve

A recent study concluded that when the probiotics were given to throat cancer patients 2-3 weeks before their surgery, they had reduced levels of stress and their anxiety significantly decreased to 48%.

Different studies have shown that these probiotics can be handy in reducing low mood and improving overall mood in people with chronic fatigue syndrome

People with major depressive disorder can only be treated with these probiotics to reduce depression in a person.

3.3million American adults are dealing with or have dealt with depression in a given year.

A study showed that the patients suffering from significant depression vastly decreased their depression levels after taking probiotics like bifidobacterium bifidum, L. acidophilus, and L. casei. 

Reductions in inflammatory and insulin levels were also observed. 

6. Probiotics for General Health

Your general health can be promoted by the use of different strains of probiotics.

A study conducted in adults showed that taking an intake of Bifidobacterium bifidum for more than four weeks resulted in short-chain fatty acids. 

Many research and studies show that the reduction in inflammation can result in better aging, usually found in significantly older adults.

Probiotics can provide a lot of benefits to our general health.

So, it is essential to maintain a healthy diet and adapt behaviors that promote health.

Probiotics are safe for many people but can be a bad experiment in people with weak immune systems, with diseases such as AIDS or HIV.

7. Improve Heart Health with probiotics

The risk of heart disease can significantly improve when the intake of probiotics. 

Various studies have found that the bacteria present in probiotic supplements or yogurt can become the cause of improvement in heart health.

The lowering of cholesterol levels can only be done by 3 specific probiotics:

  1. Lactobacillus reuteri
  2. Lactobacillus acidophilus
  3. Bifidobacterium longum

These probiotics perform different functions, such as increasing good cholesterol and a decrease in bad cholesterol.

An analysis of 14 different studies concluded that the intake of probiotics led to the reduction in bad cholesterol “LDL” and an increase in the good cholesterol “HDL.”

It was also noticed that these probiotics decreased the level of triglycerides. 

Various processes can be responsible for harmful cholesterol levels, including decreased cholesterol absorption in the gut and gut metabolism.

These probiotics also seem to affect low blood pressure.

A review of 9 different controlled studies suggested that people who took these probiotics, reduced their blood pressure compared to those that didn’t take any probiotics.

Probiotics are proven to reduce blood pressure.

8. Weight Loss

Many studies have proven that the bacterial balance present in our guts can be the reason for weight loss or weight gain.

It can profoundly affect the weight of our bodies. Many studies claim that a healthier body and weight loss can be achieved by taking proper probiotic supplements. 

In recent human studies, it was found that even single strains of bacteria can decrease calories and fat in our guts.

These friendly bacteria reduce belly fat, weight and even promote bacterial balance in our guts.

According to 2014 research, it was found that the different species of probiotics that were most effective for fat loss in our body were Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacterium lactis

A recent study of men who were given Lactobacillus gasseri for 12 weeks had experienced a significant amount of weight and fat loss in their body compared to the other placebo group, who didn’t experience any weight or fat loss.

So, taking different probiotic species supplements can help with fat and weight loss even when a person’s calorie intake is high.

Probiotic strains for your health - The Bottom Line

With so many probiotics widely available, it can be off-putting, causing you to not pursue finding the right probiotic for you.

Always look for the expert recommendation for one that could really impact your physical and mental health for the better!

Hopefully, the information in this post will help you choose what’s right for you.

We’ve provided all the information about probiotics that can be used for different health conditions such as Diarrhea, Heart Problems, constipation, mental illness, weight loss, and immunity-boosting.

You should always know that having good gut health is essential for you. 

Finding the correct type of probiotic strain can significantly  improve your overall health and way of life.

It can make your mood happy and make you stress-free in no time.

All you have to do is find the best probiotic for you!

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