Probiotics are live microorganisms, primarily bacteria, that provide health benefits, particularly in maintaining digestive health and restoring the balance of good bacteria in the gut. They can help alleviate various digestive issues, enhance immune function, and may even improve cardiovascular health. Probiotics can be obtained from dietary supplements and certain foods, and while generally safe, it is recommended to consult a doctor before use, particularly in individuals with health issues.

1. By Probiotics Expert: Dr. Raga

2.  Probiotics are derived from the Latin
suffix “pro” (which means for) and
“biota” (meaning life). Thus, the
term Probiotic is literally defined as
“for life”.
 Probiotics is a term used to refer to
live microorganisms, usually
bacteria, which are discovered to
contribute beneficial effects to its
host.
 Probiotics are a dietary supplement
and not a medication. So, its usage is
not highly regulated. Though, before
its use, a doctor should be consulted.

3.  Probiotics are known to be beneficial in
maintaining digestive health. There are
more and more studies being conducted
to find more about its mechanism and
what other benefits it can cause to
human health.
 Probiotics can be obtained from dietary
supplements (capsules, tablets, powder)
and food products (yogurt, cheese,
cereals).
 As probiotics are consumed, they pass
through the stomach. Most of the
probiotic products nowadays are
engineered to survive harsh stomach
acids, so they can reach the intestines.

4.  When probiotics reach the
intestines, they take up space where
they are needed by fighting off the
bad bacteria found there.
 The probiotics fight off the bad
bacteria by converting substances
(sugar) into lactic acid. This makes
the intestinal environment acidic.
An acidic environment kills the bad
bacteria. Thus, digestive balance is
restored.

5.  Normally, the digestive tract is inhabited by
trillions of beneficial bacteria. These are all
essential in fighting diseases, digesting food, and
absorbing nutrients.
 The bowel is known to be a warm, moist, and
nutrient-rich environment. Additionally, it lacks
oxygen and strong digestive fluids. These facts
make the gastrointestinal tract a favorable
environment for pathogens (disease-causing
organisms).
 Together with the above mentioned information,
when the digestive balance becomes altered,
pathogens may win over the beneficial bacteria
and this causes several health problems.

6.  To correct the imbalance in the digestive system,
beneficial bacteria (probiotics) should be supplied.
This is to replenish the number of good bacteria in
the gut to fight off the pathogens.
 Consumption of probiotics have been found to
cause various health benefits. That is why more
and more healthcare professionals use it as an
adjunctive therapy for most patients who have
digestive system issues. Along with this, it has
been found to promote your overall health due to
its effects on different body systems.

7. 1. Enhancement of the immune system
 A double-blind clinical studies conducted in
intensive care unit patients proved probiotics can
be used in the prevention of Multiple Organ
Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS).
 Probiotics help in maintaining the ideal 85/15
balance of good to bad bacteria. This aids in
preventing yeast infections which are common in
women (vaginal infections). Aside from that, it can
help in the prevention of Urinary Tract Infections.
 Breastfeeding mothers can take probiotics to
enhance the beneficial effects (immune system
related) of their milk for their baby’s development.
If breastfeeding is somehow impossible, probiotics
can be mixed by infant formula to provide
essential beneficial bacteria that is also available in
breastmilk.
 Can aid in prevention of allergies

8. 2. Achieving digestive balance
 Probiotics have been found to have
antimicrobial effects. Thus, inhibiting
intestinal and food poisoning pathogens.
 Aids in relieving symptoms of digestive
problems such as Crohn’s disease, ulcers,
celiac disease, inflammatory bowel
disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and
diarrhea.
 Probiotics replenish the digestive
system’s supply of good bacteria which
are commonly destroyed by diet
involving processed foods.
 Improves body nutrition by aiding in the
digestion and absorption processes

9. 3. Improving cardiovascular health
 There have been studies conducted
which proves that the daily use of
probiotics can lower the levels of
high density lipoproteins or bad
cholesterol. High cholesterol level
are one of the major culprits why
heart and coronary artery diseases
occur.
 Also, according to previous
studies, probiotics can also be
beneficial in decreasing high blood
pressure.

10. 4. Other beneficial effects of probiotics
 A balanced digestive environment can help in the
prevention of cancer by nourishing the enzymes which
are essential in inhibiting tumor production
throughout the body.
 Probiotics can also replenish the number of good
bacteria in the gut. With adequate number of good
bacteria, the damage coming form X-ray and CT scan
radiations can be prevented.
 There are also some studies which have shown
probiotics’ benefit in preventing osteoporosis.
 Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride have found out that by
restoring digestive health through a special diet
(GAPS), involving probiotics, can be beneficial to
mental health.

11. Dosage
 To maintain a healthy digestive tract, it is
recommended to consume at least 1 to 2 billion CFU of
probiotics.
 However, for those who have been experiencing
digestive problems or those who have been taking
antibiotics, they can take over 10 billion CFU’s of
probiotics.
Frequency
 In healthy individuals, it is advised to take probiotics
daily or every other day.
 To correct a digestive imbalance, probiotics with 10
billion or more CFU’s should be taken up to several
times a day.

12. Probacto
 Probacto is the best probiotic that I have
ever run into. They use multiple strains
and they are spore forming so they can
last while not refrigerated. They do not
use cheap bacteria, but expensive ones
such as B. Subtilis.
 Probacto also contains prebiotics to help
stimulate the growth of beneficial
bacteria in your gut.
 Probacto contains digestive enzymes to
assist in your digestion.
 Probacto is enteric coated and made to be
slow release so it will release in your gut
gradually.

13.  The daily use of probiotics have varieties of
beneficial effects to the body. Also, most
probiotics have been manufactured in a way
which is compatible with our digestive tracts.
So, side effects are less likely to happen. With
all of these information about probiotics, it is
very sensible that their use is increasing. More
studies regarding its possible other beneficial
effects to the body should be made. This will
definitely be a breakthrough in the medical
field if more probiotics’ health benefits can be
proved.