{"id":9118,"date":"2024-10-15T10:42:54","date_gmt":"2024-10-15T07:42:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=9118"},"modified":"2026-04-20T18:55:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:55:24","slug":"what-probiotic-supplements-are-needed-and-how-to-use-them-correctly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/what-probiotic-supplements-are-needed-and-how-to-use-them-correctly\/","title":{"rendered":"Probiotic supplements: why you need them and how to choose the right ones"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"74\" data-end=\"99\"><strong data-start=\"77\" data-end=\"99\">What are probiotics?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"101\" data-end=\"391\"><a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/probiotics-their-importance-for-health-i-have-seen-and-the-rules-of-reception\/\">Probiotics<\/a> \u2014 are live microorganisms (mostly bacteria and yeasts) that, when consumed in sufficient amounts, confer health benefits. Probiotics are most commonly used for <strong data-start=\"286\" data-end=\"328\">maintaining balance <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/the-human-microbiota-is-a-mysterious-world-that-shapes-our-health\/\">gut microbiota<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 that is, the good bacteria that live in our digestive tract.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"393\" data-end=\"612\">Probiotics come in a variety of forms: capsules, powders, liquid concentrates, and yogurts with live cultures. The most popular genera of beneficial bacteria are: <strong data-start=\"544\" data-end=\"561\">Lactobacillus<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"563\" data-end=\"582\">Bifidobacterium<\/strong>, <strong data-start=\"584\" data-end=\"601\">Saccharomyces<\/strong> (yeast).<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"614\" data-end=\"659\"><strong data-start=\"617\" data-end=\"659\">When are probiotic supplements recommended?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"661\" data-end=\"787\">Probiotics can be part of both <strong data-start=\"696\" data-end=\"709\">treatment<\/strong>, and so on <strong data-start=\"717\" data-end=\"733\">prevention<\/strong>. Their use is especially effective in the following cases:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"789\" data-end=\"1169\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"789\" data-end=\"856\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"791\" data-end=\"856\">after <strong data-start=\"797\" data-end=\"819\">antibiotic therapy<\/strong> (to prevent diarrhea and dysbiosis)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"857\" data-end=\"898\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"859\" data-end=\"898\">at <strong data-start=\"863\" data-end=\"898\">irritable bowel syndrome<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"899\" data-end=\"942\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"901\" data-end=\"942\">at <strong data-start=\"905\" data-end=\"942\">functional digestive disorders<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"943\" data-end=\"988\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"945\" data-end=\"988\">at <strong data-start=\"949\" data-end=\"988\">food intoxications and poisonings<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"989\" data-end=\"1027\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"991\" data-end=\"1027\">in patients with <strong data-start=\"1006\" data-end=\"1027\">food allergy<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1028\" data-end=\"1058\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1030\" data-end=\"1058\">for <strong data-start=\"1034\" data-end=\"1058\">increasing immunity<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1059\" data-end=\"1115\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1061\" data-end=\"1115\">at <strong data-start=\"1065\" data-end=\"1090\">high stress levels<\/strong>, which affects digestion<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1116\" data-end=\"1169\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1118\" data-end=\"1169\">in children with <strong data-start=\"1128\" data-end=\"1152\">atopic dermatitis<\/strong> or <strong data-start=\"1157\" data-end=\"1169\">colic<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"1171\" data-end=\"1200\"><strong data-start=\"1174\" data-end=\"1200\">How probiotics work<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1202\" data-end=\"1278\">Probiotics don&#039;t just &quot;populate&quot; the intestines, but interact with its environment:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1280\" data-end=\"1577\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1280\" data-end=\"1334\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1282\" data-end=\"1334\"><strong data-start=\"1282\" data-end=\"1310\">compete with pathogens<\/strong> for &quot;place of residence&quot;\u201c<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1422\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1337\" data-end=\"1422\"><strong data-start=\"1337\" data-end=\"1360\">produce substances<\/strong> (bacteriocins, acids) that inhibit harmful microflora<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1423\" data-end=\"1460\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1425\" data-end=\"1460\"><strong data-start=\"1425\" data-end=\"1448\">stimulate immunity<\/strong> intestines<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1461\" data-end=\"1501\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1463\" data-end=\"1501\"><strong data-start=\"1463\" data-end=\"1493\">strengthen the mucous membrane<\/strong> intestines<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1502\" data-end=\"1533\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1504\" data-end=\"1533\"><strong data-start=\"1504\" data-end=\"1531\">regulate peristalsis<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"1534\" data-end=\"1577\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1536\" data-end=\"1577\"><strong data-start=\"1536\" data-end=\"1559\">reduce inflammation<\/strong> in the intestinal wall<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9120\" src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/themes\/woodmart\/images\/lazy.svg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/person-pouring-milk-full-glass-with-walnuts-tray.jpg\" alt=\"yogurt with live cultures in a spoon\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" srcset=\"\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/person-pouring-milk-full-glass-with-walnuts-tray.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/person-pouring-milk-full-glass-with-walnuts-tray-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/person-pouring-milk-full-glass-with-walnuts-tray-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/person-pouring-milk-full-glass-with-walnuts-tray-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/person-pouring-milk-full-glass-with-walnuts-tray-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/person-pouring-milk-full-glass-with-walnuts-tray-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"1579\" data-end=\"1617\"><strong data-start=\"1582\" data-end=\"1617\">The most common strains of probiotics<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"pointer-events-none relative left-[50%] flex w-[100cqw] translate-x-[-50%] justify-center *:pointer-events-auto\">\n<div class=\"tableContainer horzScrollShadows\">\n<table class=\"min-w-full\" data-start=\"1619\" data-end=\"2230\">\n<thead data-start=\"1619\" data-end=\"1707\">\n<tr data-start=\"1619\" data-end=\"1707\">\n<th data-start=\"1619\" data-end=\"1652\"><strong data-start=\"1621\" data-end=\"1629\">Strain<\/strong><\/th>\n<th data-start=\"1652\" data-end=\"1707\"><strong data-start=\"1654\" data-end=\"1669\">Main action<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody data-start=\"1796\" data-end=\"2230\">\n<tr data-start=\"1796\" data-end=\"1882\">\n<td class=\"\" data-start=\"1796\" data-end=\"1828\"><em data-start=\"1798\" data-end=\"1826\">Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG<\/em><\/td>\n<td class=\"\" data-start=\"1828\" data-end=\"1882\">Reduces antibiotic-associated diarrhea<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"1883\" data-end=\"1969\">\n<td class=\"\" data-start=\"1883\" data-end=\"1915\"><em data-start=\"1885\" data-end=\"1912\">Lactobacillus acidophilus<\/em><\/td>\n<td class=\"min-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)\/3)]\" data-start=\"1915\" data-end=\"1969\">Improves digestion, normalizes microflora<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"1970\" data-end=\"2056\">\n<td class=\"\" data-start=\"1970\" data-end=\"2002\"><em data-start=\"1972\" data-end=\"1996\">Bifidobacterium longum<\/em><\/td>\n<td class=\"\" data-start=\"2002\" data-end=\"2056\">Supports immunity, recommended for children<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2057\" data-end=\"2143\">\n<td class=\"\" data-start=\"2057\" data-end=\"2089\"><em data-start=\"2059\" data-end=\"2084\">Bifidobacterium bifidum<\/em><\/td>\n<td class=\"min-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)\/3)]\" data-start=\"2089\" data-end=\"2143\">Improves vitamin absorption, reduces inflammation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr data-start=\"2144\" data-end=\"2230\">\n<td class=\"\" data-start=\"2144\" data-end=\"2176\"><em data-start=\"2146\" data-end=\"2171\">Saccharomyces boulardii<\/em><\/td>\n<td class=\"min-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)\/3)]\" data-start=\"2176\" data-end=\"2230\">Effective for traveler&#039;s diarrhea, antibiotics<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2232\" data-end=\"2428\"><strong data-start=\"2232\" data-end=\"2244\">Example:<\/strong><br data-start=\"2244\" data-end=\"2247\" \/>The patient takes amoxicillin for 10 days and begins to experience abdominal discomfort, flatulence, and diarrhea. After the introduction of a course of probiotics with <em data-start=\"2377\" data-end=\"2402\">Saccharomyces boulardii<\/em> symptoms disappear quickly.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"2430\" data-end=\"2466\"><strong data-start=\"2433\" data-end=\"2466\">How to choose a probiotic supplement<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ol data-start=\"2468\" data-end=\"3049\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2468\" data-end=\"2576\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2471\" data-end=\"2576\"><strong data-start=\"2471\" data-end=\"2493\">Purpose of use:<\/strong> Some strains work better for diarrhea, others for constipation, and still others for immunity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2577\" data-end=\"2663\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2580\" data-end=\"2663\"><strong data-start=\"2580\" data-end=\"2626\">Number of colony forming units (CFU):<\/strong> should be at least 1 billion CFU\/dose.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2664\" data-end=\"2753\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2667\" data-end=\"2753\"><strong data-start=\"2667\" data-end=\"2702\">Resistance to stomach acid:<\/strong> It is important that the bacteria reach the intestines alive.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2754\" data-end=\"2830\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2757\" data-end=\"2830\"><strong data-start=\"2757\" data-end=\"2775\">Release form:<\/strong> Capsules are the safest, powders are convenient for children.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2831\" data-end=\"2958\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2834\" data-end=\"2958\"><strong data-start=\"2834\" data-end=\"2873\">Availability <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/how-do-prebiotics-work-and-why-are-they-important-for-your-health\/\">prebiotics<\/a> (synbiotics):<\/strong> some foods contain fiber that \u201cfeeds\u201d probiotics (e.g., inulin, FOS).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2959\" data-end=\"3049\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2962\" data-end=\"3049\"><strong data-start=\"2962\" data-end=\"3005\">Expiration date and storage conditions:<\/strong> Living bacteria have a limited lifespan.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"3051\" data-end=\"3086\"><strong data-start=\"3054\" data-end=\"3086\">Probiotics: benefit or fad?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3088\" data-end=\"3191\">Despite the marketing hype, the effectiveness of probiotics has been confirmed by numerous studies. For example:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3193\" data-end=\"3509\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3193\" data-end=\"3304\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3195\" data-end=\"3304\">According to <em data-start=\"3205\" data-end=\"3218\">Mayo Clinic<\/em>, the use of probiotics reduces the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in <strong data-start=\"3292\" data-end=\"3302\">42\u201360%<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3305\" data-end=\"3407\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3307\" data-end=\"3407\">According to <em data-start=\"3317\" data-end=\"3322\">FDA<\/em>, probiotics can help treat <strong data-start=\"3364\" data-end=\"3399\">irritable bowel syndrome<\/strong> (IBS)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3408\" data-end=\"3509\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3410\" data-end=\"3509\"><em data-start=\"3410\" data-end=\"3415\">WHO<\/em> recognizes probiotics as part of support <strong data-start=\"3455\" data-end=\"3479\">general immunity<\/strong> and recovery from infections<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 class=\"\" data-start=\"3511\" data-end=\"3556\"><strong data-start=\"3514\" data-end=\"3556\">When probiotics can be dangerous<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"3558\" data-end=\"3825\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3558\" data-end=\"3640\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3560\" data-end=\"3640\">in case of immunodeficiency (cancer, HIV) - you should consult a doctor<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3641\" data-end=\"3684\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3643\" data-end=\"3684\">in acute conditions (sepsis, pancreatitis)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3685\" data-end=\"3765\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3687\" data-end=\"3765\">not recommended to use <strong data-start=\"3718\" data-end=\"3763\">at the same time as hot drinks or alcohol<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"3766\" data-end=\"3825\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3768\" data-end=\"3825\"><strong data-start=\"3768\" data-end=\"3793\">self-medication in children<\/strong> \u2014 only as prescribed by a pediatrician<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Probiotic supplements are not a panacea, but they are an important tool for maintaining health, especially during times of stress, taking antibiotics, or with chronic digestive disorders. The right probiotic can not only improve your well-being, but also strengthen the body&#039;s defenses.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are probiotics? Probiotics are live microorganisms (mostly bacteria and yeast) that, when consumed in sufficient amounts, provide benefits.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":627,"featured_media":9119,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9118","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/627"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9118"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9118\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}