Probiotics – different strains for different strokes

The term “probiotic” (from the Greek "for life") has had a number of different meanings over recent history. Firstly, the term was used to describe substances secreted by one microorganism that stimulated the growth of another.

The current definition, comes from the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics. They define probiotics as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host”.

This includes preparations that contain viable, microbial agents that have been demonstrated to improve health most commonly from the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
The naming of probiotics is important, because we now “prescribe” according to their strain - and corresponding therapeutic action - swipe to understand more

As practitioners, we now have much more information about using specific species & strains for different situations and conditions; such as these pictured.

For example, Lactobacillus (Genus) rhamnosus (Species) Gr-1 (Strain) and Lactobacillus (Genus) reuteri (species) RC-14 (strain) have consistently positive research to support their use in BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS.

Bifidobacterium (Genus) animalis ssp lactis (Species) DN-173 010 (Strain) in IBS-C, improving constipation.

In health,
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