Probiotics: Why getting the right strains is important

The Clinical Evolution of Probiotics

Gut health and the microbiome has long been an area of clinical interest for me, and I have seen massive changes in understanding of the role of beneficial bacteria over the past 25 years I have been a naturopath. Working out of a holistic framework means we always need to pay attention to the digestive system and having good gut health is an important foundation stone in optimising all aspects of health.

Many people in the community are now quite aware of the benefit of probiotics for gut health, and often know to supplement after a course of antibiotics. But just taking any old probiotic is not always going to give the results you might be seeking.

Understanding the Human Microbiome

The human microbiome is comprised of a vast network of beneficial bacteria that are found to inhabit most regions of the human body and not just the gut. We have distinct and highly diverse groups of bacterial families inhabiting many regions including the skin, the genitourinary tract and the respiratory system. Moreover, bacteria in the gut can influence the health of tissues right throughout the body including the brain, heart and vascular system. While we have our innate flora that we carry with us from birth, many bacterial species will increase or decrease depending on environmental conditions while others just pass through, but are able to have a major influence the state of the body as they do.

How Probiotics Actually Work

Probiotic supplements are in this category. Probiotics, contrary to what many people believe, are not meant to colonise the body of the host (us). But instead probiotics are found to elicit important and beneficial effects on the body while we take them. Extensive research into individual strains of bacterial families has been conducted to date, and this exciting area of research continues to grow with new discoveries paving the way for novel uses of strain specific probiotics in treating clinical conditions.

The most-studied species include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces, but within each of these families of probiotics there are highly distinct strains which do very unique things in the body.

The field of probiotics is experiencing a paradigm shift with the emergence of Next-Generation Probiotics (NGPs), which represent an innovative group of beneficial bacteria currently undergoing research and development. Academic and industrial research is now dedicated to identifying and investigating new microbial strains for the development of these next-generation probiotics, moving beyond traditional Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains.

New probiotic candidates are being sought among gut bacteria linked to health, including strains from the genera Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia and Clostridium. These emerging strains offer targeted therapeutic potential that goes far beyond traditional digestive support.

One of the most exciting developments in probiotic research is the emergence of psychobiotics – a new class of probiotics serving a wide range of applications in psychological health. The term “psychobiotics” was first coined by T.G. Dinan in 2013, referring to probiotic bacteria that benefit mental health when consumed in adequate amounts.

Psychobiotics differ from conventional probiotics in their ability to produce or stimulate the production of neurotransmitters, short-chain fatty acids, enteroendocrine hormones and anti-inflammatory compounds. In the past five years, some psychobiotic strains have been reported to inhibit inflammation and decrease cortisol levels, resulting in amelioration of anxiety and depression symptoms.

Research shows promising effects on stress, mood, and depression, presenting probiotics as a potential natural treatment option for psychological disorders. This represents a fundamental shift in how we understand probiotic therapy – moving from purely digestive health to whole-body wellness including brain function.

After attending a seminar this week, I was fascinated to learn about the benefits of very specific strains of probiotic bacteria on everything from iron absorption and fertility to osteoporosis, eczema, acne and gum health. It seems that before long we will have a probiotic for most disorders!

Recent research has identified remarkable strain-specific benefits:

Athletic Performance and Nutrient Absorption

L. acidophilus is now recognized for its ability to enhance the assimilation of several nutrients, including B vitamins and minerals such as iron and calcium, making it particularly valuable for athletes and those with nutritional deficiencies.

Evidence suggests that Lactobacillus jensenii may provide prophylactic and therapeutic benefits for gastrointestinal diseases, while Lactobacillus acidophilus shows potential activity against urologic and female genital illnesses.

Lactobacillus plantarum, a vegetable-fermented lactic acid bacterium, has demonstrated immunomodulating and antibacterial properties against pathogenic bacteria, making it valuable both as a probiotic and food additive.

Mechanisms of Action: How Probiotics Create Change

Much of the way that probiotics work is to alter pH, competitively inhibit pathogenic bacteria, regulate cell functioning, create epigenetic changes, alter immune response and reduce inflammation. Psychobiotics positively affect intestinal barrier parameters and modulate immune response in gut-associated lymphoid tissue.

The gut-brain axis has become a focal point of research, with psychobiotics exploring the intricate mechanisms by which probiotics interact with the nervous system to influence mental health outcomes.

Current probiotic research now covers strain identification, functional characterization, preclinical and clinical evaluations, mechanisms of action, therapeutic applications, and manufacturing considerations. This comprehensive approach means we can now prescribe probiotics with the same precision as other therapeutic interventions.

While eating probiotic foods is a great foundation for gut health and one we always recommend, you may achieve more particular benefits on your health issues by using a specific strain of probiotic. Luckily the massive amount of research into probiotics is increasingly getting translated into highly effective products that we can now access in clinic.

The scope of probiotic applications continues to expand beyond digestive health. Research now investigates how probiotics and bioactive compounds support gut health and combat metabolic disorders, opening new therapeutic avenues for conditions like diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.

So if you would like to learn more about probiotics for your clinical condition or you want to just use them as a preventative tool, please get in touch for a consultation. The dosages and frequency of taking probiotics is a key factor in achieving success, and the clinical trials offer very clear guidelines on this.

However, major limitations in existing research include insufficient clinical outcomes, limited sample sizes, and variable dosing protocols, which is why professional guidance becomes even more crucial in selecting the right probiotic protocol for your specific needs.

As always, a holistic treatment plan aims to get to the root cause of a condition to allow the body to heal naturally and will create lasting effects.

Sources: