What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit to the host when administered in adequate amounts (WHO). Probiotic strains sold via reputable companies are well-researched, and to be classified as a probiotic in the first place, for use in supplements and/or food, they need to be safe, characterised, supported by a clinical trial demonstrating their effectiveness. They also need to be provided in a sufficient dose as not all of the dose will reach the large bowel alive.
Probiotics are ‘good’ microorganisms found in food products or as food supplements. They can benefit our health by improving the balance of the gut bacteria. They are found in many different forms such as live yoghurts, probiotic tablets, capsules and sachets.
Probiotic Benefits
For some time we have known that they could do more than improve the health of your digestive system. They also may enhance your brain, too. This is where the ‘gut brain axis’ is worth mentioning, both organs communicate and if something is wrong with one, the other knows about it. Where people don’t feel themselves mentally there are plenty of studies showing that taking a probiotic can improve things. There are also other organs which benefit from taking probiotics.
Gut health testing
Most people try a probiotic for a while to see if it works, but you can actually see if there’s a problem with your gut microbiome too by buying a gut health test.
After an initial analysis of your poo, some companies offer you product to help manage the levels of some bacteria in your gut. The ‘solution’ could be a probiotic or a prebiotic that stimulates the growth of certain microorganisms considered to be beneficial. There is evidence for some products helping in this way. The companies may offer to retest your poo to find whether their recommendation has improved the composition of your gut microbiome and, in particular, any species highlighted as being too low or too high in number. Changing particular levels may or may not effect symptoms or future risk of serious disease, the science isn’t really there yet. E.g. we’re not able to say that one poo sample can tell us if we are at risk of bowel cancer, or that we have protection against getting cardiovascular disease or type 2 diabetes.
At the moment getting your poo tested by commercial companies may be interesting if you are curious to know what bacteria are in there, but it isn’t a direct way to find out why you’re not feeling well or how to improve your health.
Eating a plant based diet, including lots of different fruit, vegetables, grains and pulses and reducing intake of unhealthy foods (e.g. processed foods or foods high in fat) is one way to improve your gut microbiota and maintain good health.
The other way is to try a probiotic with well researched and safe strains of bacteria for 1-2 months and not waste your money on an expensive gut health test.