strain-specific probiotic treatment

There is so much hype around probiotics! It can be quite overwhelming.

Do probiotics live up to all the hype? Probably not. Some of the claims are excessively exaggerative! The truth is, probiotics can yield incredible benefits IF you use good quality, strain-specific probiotics, taken in the right manner. But probiotics are just a tool. They are best used alongside other lifestyle, nutritional, and supplemental strategies if you want to create long-lasting change to your gut health (and overall wellbeing!).

What is strain-specific probiotic treatment?

Strain-specific probiotic treatment is using specific probiotic strains for specific health purposes. Rather than using just any probiotic blend, we’re using a high-quality, researched strain(s) to achieve a specific outcome.

Strain-specific probiotic treatment is best guided by a qualified health practitioner.

Do probiotics colonise the gut?

Contrary to popular belief, research is now indicating that probiotics do not permanently colonise the gut. This may sound crazy, because for years we thought that probiotics DID colonise the gut. Probiotics do have effects, but we now know it is through different processes other than colonisation.

So what do probiotics do?

Probiotics take effect transiently, in their journey through our digestive system. Probiotics have a range of beneficial effects including combating harmful bacteria in the gut, repairing gut lining, improving immunity, and regulating mood and emotions.

What is the best time to take probiotics?

I generally recommend to my clients to take probiotics with meals. This increases the chances of the probiotics surviving the stomach’s acidity. Many professionals will also recommend taking probiotics with the last meal of the day as this gives the probiotics a potentially longer stay in the gut as gut peristalsis is slowed whilst we are sleeping.

Reasons to take probiotics?

Strain-specific probiotic treatment can be used in just about any health condition. I use probiotics for clients with IBS, IBD, diarrhoea, constipation, weight management, depression, anxiety, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune conditions, asthma, eczema, the list is endless!

Probiotics are also incredibly helpful in keeping the gut stable during antibiotic treatment. Probiotics and antibiotics should not be taken simultaneously, rather they should be spaced apart by at least 2 hours.

Thoughts on self-prescribing probiotics?

You may not do yourself any harm by self-prescribing probiotics, but you may not get the improvements in your health that you desire. Many over-the-counter (OTC) probiotics lack effectiveness and viability. I also find that people often choose the incorrect strain(s).

What about food-based probiotics

I am a big fan of food-based probiotics! Foods such as yoghurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut are fantastic for gut health. Not everyone can tolerate these foods though; especially if you have food sensitivities, your gut is inflamed, or you are experiencing imbalances in your gut bacteria. So please be cautious! Listen to your body.

BLOG AUTHOR: TALITHA

I specialise in mental health (depression, stress, and anxiety), gut health (IBS), and women's health (preconception, fertility). I am a degree- qualified naturopath who LOVES helping people transform their health stories!!