The 10 Most Effective Probiotic Ingredients

The Most Effective Probiotic Ingredients
While we know that probiotics are effective in promoting and maintaining the health of our GI tracts, it can be overwhelming to figure out what probiotic ingredients are going to provide the best overall benefits with little to no risk. While there are many options to choose from, research has shown the following ten ingredients to be the most important to start incorporating today:- L. Acidophilus: As we grow older, our cholesterol levels become an ever-growing focus at yearly check-ups. High cholesterol has been linked to many conditions, with heart disease being among the most prominent4. The probiotic L. Acidophilus has been shown to lower cholesterol levels, promoting a lower risk of heart disease5.
- L. Plantarum: Similar to L. Acidophilus, L. Plantarum has displayed an ability to improve overall cholesterol levels to a healthy range5.
- L. Rhamnosus: In recent years, it has been estimated that 10% of cancer-related mortality in western countries can be attributed to colon cancer6. L. Rhamnosus has displayed an ability to combat colon cancer in addition to fighting off viruses that affect the GI tract.
- L. Paracasei: In a controlled study, L. Paracasei caused a significant count reduction in pathogenic microbes present in the intestines of participants7. It was suggested that the probiotic be consumed regularly for at least two weeks in order to achieve the reduction, making it a great addition to your daily supplementation.
- L. Salivarius: In a study analyzing pathogenic organisms that cause oral caries, or tooth decay, L. Salivarius was shown to reduce the organism counts and promote overall oral health8.
- L. Casei: L Casei has been shown to fight GI ailments and intestinal diseases including but not limited to: irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and diarrhea5.
- S. Thermophilus: S. Thermophilus has displayed an ability to alleviate the symptoms of a wide variety of GI symptoms, most notably those associated with lactose intolerance9. This probiotic is highly recommended for preventative measures, especially among those with diets high in dairy.
- B. Longum: Arguably the most important probiotic, B. Longum has displayed an ability to degrade cancer-causing nitrates, similar to L. Rhamnosus5.
- B. Lactis: While many have adopted gluten free diets by choice in recent years, those suffering from coeliac disease have no choice if they wish to avoid small-bowel damage. B. Lactis can directly counteract the harmful effects of coeliac-toxic gliadin and serves as one of the most effective treatments for coeliac disease10.
- B. Bifidum: Like L. Rhamnosus and B. Longum, B. Bifidum has been shown to fight ulcers and prevent the manifestation of colon cancer5.
References:
1. Probiotics: In Depth
2. Probiotics in prevention of antibiotic associated diarrhoea: meta-analysis, 08 June 2002
3. Probiotics in prevention and treatment of obesity: a critical view, 20 February 2016
4. High Blood Cholesterol: What you need to know
5. Probiotics: The Future of Preventative Medicine
6. COLORECTAL CANCER, 2016 Nov 5
7. Probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei effect on cariogenic bacterial flora
8. Effect of a Lactobacillus Salivarius Probiotic on a Double-Species Streptococcus Mutans and Candida Albicans Caries Biofilm, 2017 Nov 14
9. Streptococcus thermophilus LMD-9
10. Live probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis bacteria inhibit the toxic effects induced by wheat gliadin in epithelial cell culture, 2008 Jun