Understanding Probiotic Supplements

By Author: michel kein
Total Articles: 17
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Probiotics are a popular subject of discussion among health researchers and lay people alike. It impresses the researchers because of their mode of action and interests general public because of their never ending list of health benefits. Probiotics help to increase the gut micorfloral population which plays an important role in our everyday health. Maintaining the ideal balance of gut flora is crucial because the human colon is one of the most bio-dense eco system in the world. Nearly 90% of the cells in our body are microbes and only one in ten cells in our body is human. So when the population of gut flora falls for some reason consequently our health declines as well.

Defining probiotics

Probiotics are essentially supplements that contain viable beneficial bacteria which support the indigenous bacteria in the human gut. Probiotics are available as products like fermented drinks, yoghurt and as tablets, powders and capsules. Today's consumer has a spectrum of choice for choosing probiotics other than the traditional fermented forms like yoghurt and drinks. Commercially available probiotics are present literally ...
... in every product ranging from beverages to granola bars. Technically a product is called a probiotic if it has the following qualities:

• If the culture of good bacteria can be produced on a commercial scale.
• If the culture survives production and storage
• If the bacterial strain tolerates the intestinal environment of the host
• If it exerts health effects when consumed.

Confusing literature on probiotics

There is so much information on probiotics through media, blogs and other sources that has created confusing information on the best way to supplement them in your diet. Instructions range from consuming probiotic supplements along with meals to consuming them on an empty stomach. This contradictory information has obviously led to unclear directions for the consumer.

What do studies convey?

Unfortunately, there are not much studies pertaining to the efficacy of the medium of probiotics. A 2008 research paper stated that the efficacy of probiotic bacteria is dependent on two crucial factors viability being live in food products and supplements and survivability sustaining their life through harsh conditions. Several parameters including probiotic strains, acid-base balance of the matrix, nutritional component of the carrier, heat treatment can affect the viability and survivability of the probiotic bacteria. A 2011 study, that was exclusively conducted investigated the following:

• The best time to consume probiotic supplements with respect to meal time
• Survival of probiotics after meal in the intestine.

The study results were published in the journal, Beneficial Microbes. Researcher of the study used a built-in model of digestive tract that mimicked the environment of the real digestive tract. However it did include saliva, real digestive juices, enzymes and bile. The survival of a commercial probiotic that contained 4 strains of microves – two lactobacilli (L.helveticus and L. rhamnosus) and Bifidobacterium longum and Sacchromyces boulardii. Analysis of the survival rate during and after the transit in the stomach and duodenal models showed that the following:

• Survival of all 4 strains of bacteria were best when the probiotic supplements was given 30 minutes before the meal or along with the meal.
• Probiotic supplement given 30 minutes after the meal did not show high survival rates.
• Better survival rate was observed when probiotic supplement was consumed with oatmeal-milk gruel or 1percent milk fat than when consumed with apple juice or water.
• The microbial species S. boulardii was not influenced by the meal time and the acidity of the meal
• The fat content of the meal was an important factor but not the protein content

Conclusion: “Probiotic bacterial survival was best when provided within 30 minutes before or simultaneously with a meal or beverage that contained some fat content”. Researchers of the study also stressed that probiotic supplements that are non-enteric coated should be taken with or just prior to a meal containing little fat for better survival rate.

Best time to consume probiotic supplements

The above mentioned study clearly depicts that taking probiotics 30 minutes before or along with the meals are the best time for consumption which ensures viability and survivability of the beneficial bacteria inside the human gut.