In many cultures, the intestine has been the center of well-being and health for millennia. It regulates the water balance, splits food into nutrients, minerals and vitaminsand prevents pathogens from multiplying and spreading in the body. For this defense mechanism to work smoothly, the gut is colonized by an estimated 10 trillion bacteria of 500 different species. These subdivide into „good“ bacteria that help the gut, for example, in the digestion, and „bad“ (or pathogenic) germs that consume nutrients to multiply and spread in the intestine. For a healthy intestinal flora, the ratio of good to bad bacteria should be 85 to 15 percent. So the good bacteria are always able to push back pathogens. However, illnesses that require the use of antibiotics can bring the intestinal flora out of balance. Responsible for this is the antibiotic, which attacks bad, but also good bacteria. In this case, you may be taking probiotics help.

Effect of probiotics on the intestine

Manufacturers of dietary supplements recommend the intake of so-called probiotics , Behind the term, derived from the Greek „pro bios“ (German: „for life“), hide viable microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. at probiotics are benevolent intestinal dwellers who – orally administered in a corresponding dose – colonize the intestine and restore the original balance. In addition, they are said to have various health benefits, although not all are well documented. Among other things should probiotics show positive effects in the treatment or prevention of the following diseases:

– allergies
– respiratory infections
– Obesity
– skin diseases
– High blood pressure
– Metabolic syndrome
– irritable bowel syndrome

Bacterial strains and recommended intake

Dietary supplements are usually offered as capsules for daily use. But also as tablets, in liquid form and as a powder, the microorganisms are available. Differences between the products show up among other things in the contained bacterial strains. Most commonly used are the following lactic acid bacteria:

– Lactobacillus gasseri
– Lactobacillus acidophilus
Bifidobacterium longum
– Bifidobacterium bifidum

In order to have an effect on the health with probiotics, a sufficient amount must be taken. For this, the providers write probiotic Dietary supplementsthe indication „Colony Forming Units“ (CFU) or „Colony Forming Unit“ (CFU) on the packaging. An example: The capsules Fairvital Probiotik Immune with probiotic cultures contain in one dose (two capsules) 2.5 billion KbE Lactobacillus acidophilus and 2.5 billion KbE Bifidobacterium longum. This is in the range of 2-10 billion microorganisms per day, which is often recommended by experts. After taking antibiotics and in diseases of the intestine, the recommendation is even 10 billion CFU and more per day. Products like Probiotik Complex by Exvital offer correspondingly high daily doses in capsule form.

Most probiotic supplements contain tablets or capsules for daily use over a period of 90 or 120 days. However, some probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus bulgaricus do not settle permanently in the intestine and disappear almost completely after stopping the intake. Therefore, appropriate products must be taken permanently if their effect on the intestine is still desired.

Probiotics and lactose intolerance

Some studies suggest that probiotics can relieve the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Background: Lactobacilli are able to utilize lactose and thus improve lactose digestion. Products that promote this benefit include Physis Advanced Probiotics with 50 billion KbE and GBSci Pure Acidophilus Probiotic with 10 billion KbE. The intake and dosage of the capsules should be done in consultation with the doctor.

Buyers should pay attention to probiotics

In general, it is recommended to use preparations containing at least 1 billion colony-forming units (1 x 10 ^ 9 cfu) per daily dose. In addition, the concentration should be guaranteed at the expiration date, not the date of manufacture. In addition, products from trusted sources should be preferred. In addition, probiotics should not be accidentally confused with prebiotics. They, too, can have a positive effect on digestion, but are fundamentally different from probiotics.