Your gut is host to a thriving colony of bacteria critical to your overall health. Your gut bacteria support digestion, immune system health, and other necessary functions.*
If you’ve found yourself battling with digestive troubles, you may want to consider introducing probiotic supplements into your diet.*
Before taking a probiotic supplement, you should ensure you’re well-informed. Our handy guide will give you a complete overview, including:
- A rundown on what probiotics are
- How probiotics affect your gut and overall gut health*
- How to choose the best probiotics for you*
- The overall benefits of probiotics and how probiotics work*
We’ve included a list of common digestive conditions that may be supported by taking our probiotic supplement recommendations.*
Probiotics And How They Affect Gut Health
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are living organisms - including yeast and certain bacteria - that provide health benefits when ingested. You can find probiotics in some fermented foods (like kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut, and kombucha), or they can be taken as part of a daily regimen in the form of probiotic supplements.*
There are different strains of probiotics, each with its unique benefits to your body. This is why it’s important to take the right strain (or combination of strains) to ensure that you get the most out of your supplements and target the areas of your body that you want to support. Probiotic supplements support weight management, women’s health, and joint and muscle discomfort.^*
Other products are broad-spectrum or multi-probiotics and contain a combination of different probiotic strains. These all-in-one supplements target more areas of the body at once.*
Various strains are useful because bacterial diversity is key to a healthy gut. Each strain performs a different function within the intestinal tract and offers different benefits to the individual. This makes it easier and more affordable than taking countless supplements for different health concerns.*
The Relationship Between Gut Health And Probiotics
Your gut contains a sophisticated ecosystem with hundreds of species of bacteria that thrive within your digestive tract. This population of bacteria is also known as the gut flora, gut microbiota, microbes, or gut microbiome. Your microbiome plays a crucial role in your overall health.
The right balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria in your intestinal tract is essential for your health. The effects of an unbalanced microbiome can be extensive, such as poor absorption of nutrients, digestion, and immune function. The truth is that the balance of good flora inside your gastrointestinal tract can affect nearly everything, from your energy levels and mood to weight management.^*
Probiotic supplements can help restore your gut microbiome to equilibrium, allowing your gut flora to perform at its best at all times.*
Probiotics and Gastrointestinal Conditions*
Diarrhea
Diarrhea may result from taking antibiotics, traveling, a virus, or some other situation.
Adverse reactions to food cause some cases of diarrhea. Clinical evidence has explored the outcomes of, taking probiotics after food poisoning and may positively affect your recovery time. (1)*
Probiotics for diarrhea and probiotic foods offer natural options for gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea. Probiotic supplements may help to support the number of good bacteria in the gut. The specific probiotic strains of Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus casei have been found to offer support for diarrhea symptoms. (2)*
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is frequently a result of inflammation in the digestive tract. This can trigger abdominal pain, diarrhea, and unintended weight loss, among other symptoms. Some individuals report the benefits of using probiotics for ulcerative colitis, one of the most common forms of IBD.*
One of the symptoms of IBD is increased permeability of the intestine walls. This is more commonly known as ‘leaky gut’ and can cause intestinal wall inflammation. Studies suggest that probiotics may be helpful in the treatment of leaky gut. (3)*
There is mounting evidence that the gut microbiota has a role in the onset, maintenance, and development of IBD. (4) Taking a consistent regime of probiotics may help manage occasional bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. (5)*
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal condition that causes recurrent attacks of abdominal pain or discomfort associated with bowel habits. IBS affects between 25 and 45 million people in the United States. (6)
It is an unpredictable health condition with unwanted symptoms, including bloating, stomach pain, alternating constipation, diarrhea, and excessive gas – and probiotics may help, according to some studies. (3)*
Although the precise cause isn't known, IBS is often thought to be triggered by an imbalance in the digestive system from specific foods, stress, poor diet, lifestyle changes, or medications. In other words, IBS is associated with too many bad bacteria and not enough probiotic bacteria in the gut. (7)
Probiotics are frequently recommended to patients with IBS symptoms. Published data reveals that the effects of probiotics can decrease the pain of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. (8)
Constipation
Probiotics for constipation in adults, particularly the elderly, appear to offer a modest but significant benefit in alleviating occasional constipation. Scientific evidence shows that supplementing with probiotics supports bowel regularity and stool consistency. (9)*
Multiple studies reveal probiotics relieve constipation in children experiencing occasional cramping or bloating. (10,11)* Bifidobacterium longum is one of the most commonly studied bacteria for this digestive issue. Research shows that probiotics containing this strain may be one of the most helpful strains for persistent constipation when used in conjunction with other treatments. (12)*
How To Choose A Probiotic Supplement For Gut Health*
Colony Forming Units
If you’ve spent any time looking at probiotic labels, you might have seen something called CFU. CFU stands for “colony forming units,” and it refers to the number of bacteria in the supplement that can divide and colonize your body.
The number of CFUs doesn’t make a probiotic supplement more effective. What matters is the delivery system and that the probiotic supplement contains science-backed strains.
If the delivery system is inadequate, the probiotic strains won’t make it to the gut, where they are most needed.*
Delivery Method
When you take a probiotic, its effectiveness is directly linked to how it is released. The probiotic must survive the stomach's acidic environment and reach the intestines.
This can be achieved by ensuring that your probiotic has a time-release or slow-release capsule, which usually requires specific encapsulation of the bacteria.
Type Of Probiotic Strain
Part of choosing your probiotic is knowing what problem area you want to target. For example, Lactobacillus species such as L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. salivarius, and L. plantarum, as well as Bifidobacterium species such as B. bifidum, B. longum, and B. lactis, are all great for aiding in digestive upset and overall gut health. (2)*
Probiotic supplementation should deliver a variety of strains because bacterial diversity is key when it comes to gut health. Each strain performs a different function within the intestinal tract and offers different benefits.*
But looking for specific strains can be tedious. Instead, invest in a probiotic that contains multiple strains. After all, the more that is contained in your probiotic, the more benefits you will be able to enjoy.*
The Addition Of A Prebiotic
PRObiotics are healthy bacteria that reside naturally in the gut, while PREbiotics are specialized plant fibers that act as fertilizer to support probiotic growth in your gut.*
Essentially, prebiotics support the efficiency of your digestive system by nourishing the good bacteria in your intestinal tract, strengthening them to combat harmful bacteria. Because probiotics support the number of beneficial bacteria in your gut, having a probiotic supplement that includes a prebiotic strain makes it more effective and efficient.*
Prebiotics may assist in calcium absorption, change the rate at which foods elevate your blood sugar, and can support the health of your intestinal lining. (13) They can also help foods ferment more quickly, which means that they spend less time in your digestive tract. This may reduce the symptoms of constipation, gas, nausea, and bloating.*
Living “a gut-healthy life” can be supported by including a prebiotic and probiotic combination supplement.*
Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Premium Probiotic For Gut Health*
Hyperbiotics PRO-15 is a unique blend of 15 different probiotic strains that are all targeted toward supporting your gastrointestinal tract, digestive health, and overall immune system.*
This “all-in-one supplement” caters to many digestive issues while supporting your intestinal tract. The probiotic strains in Pro-15 contain gut-friendly bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus. Each strain in PRO-15 is found naturally in the human gut.*
The PRO-15 probiotic supplement also contains a prebiotic, which supports its effectiveness in combating uncomfortable digestive symptoms. As a result, this advanced probiotic formula can support:*
- The absorption of vitamins and minerals from food*
- Weight management^*
- Digestive health*
- Immune system response*
- Healthy mood and energy*
- Brain health and mental clarity*
Other key features of Hyperbiotics Pro-15 that make it unique and effective include:
- 5 billion colony forming units (CFUs), which is equivalent to 75 Billion CFUs (colony forming units) of normal probiotic veggie capsules.
- A shelf-stable, vegetarian-friendly, non-GMO, dairy-free, and gluten-free formula. Pro-15 is also free from soy, nuts, sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives.
- Proprietary slow-release capsule with a survivability rate 15 times that of standard probiotic capsules.‡
- Coated and engineered with a proprietary BIO-Tract delivery process designed to bypass stomach acids and reach deep into the intestinal tract alive.
Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Advanced Strength: Probiotic For Advanced Gut Health*
While similar to the PRO-15 probiotic supplement, Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Advanced packs an extra punch. In addition to 15 targeted probiotic strains, PRO-15 Advanced also contains Kiwifruit powder. Kiwifruit powder is a superfruit ingredient that aids in colonizing probiotics and supports digestion, intestinal health, and bowel regularity.*
Like its premium counterpart, Hyperbiotics PRO-15 Advanced is free from preservatives, artificial coloring, sugar, soy, nuts, yeast, and dairy. It is also free from GMOs and is safe for vegetarians.
PRO-15 Advanced probiotics are housed in Hyperbiotics patented slow-release enteric capsules, making them more effective than other probiotics cased in veggie capsules.*
This Advanced Strength probiotic supplement supports:*
- Digestion*
- Immune function*
- Healthy energy levels*
- Healthy mood and relaxation*
- Absorption of essential vitamins and minerals*
Although both PRO-15 probiotics help support your gut health, you may want to consider introducing the PRO-15 Advanced probiotic supplement to your everyday routine if you suffer from feeble gut health or extreme gastrointestinal upset.*
Summary
Research indicates a positive association between taking probiotics and healthy digestion in people of all ages. Optimal gut health also supports the immune system, mental wellness, weight management, and just about every system in the body. (14)^*
The bottom line is that probiotics are a safe, convenient, and simple way to take your health to a new level with virtually no side effects. You can shop all our Hyperbiotics products with confidence, knowing that you are purchasing reasonably priced, premium formulas from a company you can trust.
Suppose you still have questions as you embark on your microbial journey. In that case, we invite you to visit our Hyperbiotics Customer Support Center any time, day or night, for caring and friendly information and guidance.
Log onto our Hyperbiotics website to order and learn more.
References
- Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019; 59(20):3320-3333 [PMID: 29993263]
- Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012; 10(9):960-968 [PMID: 22504002]
- Foods. 2022; 11(3):268 [PMID: 35159419]
- Microorganisms. 2022; 10(7):1371 [PMID: 35889090]
- Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018; 47(8):1054-1070 [PMID: 29460487]
- International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. 2007
- World J Gastroenterol. 2014; 20(10):2470-2481 [PMID: 24627584]
- World J Gastroenterol. 2015; 21(10):3072-3084 [PMID: 25780308]
- J Dig Dis. 2019; 20(9):435-446 [PMID: 31271261]
- Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2017; 7:153 [PMID: 28503492]
- Int J Pediatr. 2014; 2014:937212 [PMID: 24812563]
- Am J Gastoenterol. 2022 [PMID: 36216361]
- Foods. 2019; 8(3):92 [PMID: 30857316]
- Nutrients. 2019; 11(7):1613 [PMID: 31315227]
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
^Provides weight management support as part of a healthy lifestyle with a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise.
‡BIO-tract® vs. instant release formulations under in vitro test conditions.