Probiotics, good for everyone?

1. You know them from those little bottles of dairy that would help you to keep your intestinal flora up to standard. Or improve your resistance. What's in those jars? And do you really need it?

2. You know them, those little bottles of dairy that are supposed to help you maintain your intestinal flora. Or improve your resistance. So what's in those jars? And do you really need it?

1. Probiotics are added to these dairy drinks or they are made by so-called good bacteria. Good bacteria are certain living food ingredients that have a positive effect on health.]

Lactic acid bacteria

1. You don't necessarily have to drink it. There are also capsules, tablets and powders on the market with probiotics. The most commonly used probiotics are lactic acid bacteria. You can also naturally find these in sauerkraut, yogurt and salami, but then they are not that effective. According to science, a lactic acid bacterium can only call itself a probiotic if it reaches the intestines alive and contributes to good health.

2. You don't necessarily have to drink it. There are also capsules, tablets and powders on the market that contain probiotics. The most commonly used probiotics are lactic acid bacteria. You can also naturally find these in sauerkraut, yogurt and salami, but then they are not that effective. According to science, a lactic acid bacterium can only call itself a probiotic if it reaches the intestines alive and contributes to good health.

Proof

1. There are a lot of conditions for which probiotics could offer a solution. But unfortunately there is not scientific evidence for all diseases that it actually works. The Maag Liver Darm Foundation and the Nutrition Center agree that probiotics could work with a disturbed intestinal flora. Due to an excess of 'bad bacteria' you can suffer from diarrhea or constipation, for example. With a probiotic you get enough 'good bacteria' again to bring the intestinal flora back into balance.

2. There are a lot of conditions for which probiotics could offer a solution. But unfortunately there is not scientific evidence for all diseases that it actually works. The Maag Lever Bowel Foundation and the Nutrition Center agree that probiotics could work with a disturbed intestinal flora. Due to an excess of 'bad bacteria' you can suffer from diarrhea or constipation, for example. With a probiotic you get enough 'good bacteria' again to bring the intestinal flora back into balance.

More research

1. Positive effects have been found in antibiotic diarrhea (AAD), constipation and travelers' diarrhea. Much research is also being done into the effect of probiotics on, for example, reduced resistance, allergies, fungal infections, the intestinal disease Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease and the risk of colon cancer. The many studies try to find out whether the effect is there. Sometimes there are indications that seem to indicate this. Unfortunately, hard evidence is often still lacking.

2. Positive effects have been found in diarrhea caused by antibiotics (AAD), in constipation and travelers' diarrhea. Furthermore, a lot of research is being done into the effect of probiotics on, for example, a reduced resistance, allergies, fungal infections, the intestinal disease ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease and the risk of colon cancer. The many studies try to find out whether the effect is there. Sometimes there are indications that seem to indicate this. Unfortunately, hard evidence is often still lacking.

Bacterial strain

1. One probiotic is not the other. This is because they can contain different bacteria. Their names are made up of three levels, compare it to a car: Volkswagen (car brand) Wave (kind) GTI (execution) This is how it works for bacteria too: Lactobacillus (genus) Casei (kind) Shirota (tribe) Each strain can have a different effect. But the effects of which bacteria still need to be investigated further. Not every bacterial strain has the same effect. So, with one probiotic you will not have all of the health benefits described above. The efficacy can also differ per person.

2. One probiotic is not the other. This is because they can contain different bacteria. Their names are made up of three levels, compare it to a car: Volkswagen (car brand) Wave (kind) GTI (execution) This is how it works for bacteria too: Lactobacillus (genus) Casei (kind) Shirota (tribe) Each strain can have a different effect. But the effects of which bacteria still need to be investigated further. Not every bacterial strain has the same effect. So, with one probiotic you will not have all of the health benefits described above. The effectiveness can also differ per person.

Which product really works?

1. Due to all the attention for probiotics, many products have also come onto the market that piggyback on the hype. In 2006 the Consumers' Association investigated products that claimed to contain 'healthy bacteria'. Then it turned out that a lot of wrong or fantasy names were used. For example, 'active bifidus' is one such phrase that, according to researchers, makes no sense. Sometimes the products did not contain live bacteria or were even sterile. The probiotic dairy drinks (Vifit, Actimel, Activia and Yakult) were found to be good. A good probiotic clearly states on the label which strain of bacteria has been used, whether they are alive and what effect these bacteria would have. What you can pay attention to when buying a probiotic is whether a strain number of the bacterium is mentioned and whether an information line is mentioned. When a producer makes a statement about the health effects of the product, it must be scientifically proven.

2. Due to all the attention for probiotics, many products have also come onto the market that piggyback on the hype. In 2006 the Consumers' Association investigated products that claimed to contain 'healthy bacteria'. Then it turned out that many wrong or fantasy names were used. For example, 'active bifidus' is one such phrase that, according to researchers, makes no sense. Sometimes the products did not contain live bacteria or were even sterile. The probiotic dairy drinks (Vifit, Actimel, Activia and Yakult) were found to be good. With a good probiotic, it is clearly stated on the label which strain of bacteria has been used, whether they are alive and what effect these bacteria would have. What you can pay attention to when buying a probiotic is whether a strain number of the bacterium is mentioned and whether an information line is mentioned. When a producer makes a statement about the health effects of the product, it must be scientifically proven.

Useful for healthy people?

1. A healthy intestinal flora is not necessarily contained in a bottle. You can also eat healthy, fiber-rich, low-fat and varied food, ensure relaxation, get enough sleep, do not smoke and moderate alcohol. But even if you do all of that, your gut flora can become unbalanced. Not only your lifestyle, but also aging, your environment, medicines (for example antibiotics) or stress can affect your intestinal flora and you cannot always do something about it. You may not have any complaints, but your intestinal flora is still disturbed. A probiotic can therefore have positive effects in healthy people. Whether or not you will use it when you are just healthy, the choice is yours. The bacterial strains from Yakult, Vifit and Danone Activa have now been well researched and have proven their safety and effectiveness through the Nutrition Center's Code of Conduct. Other products may also help, but need to be investigated even better. Although many people benefit from probiotics, health claims regarding intestinal complaints, allergic reactions and resistance are not sufficiently scientifically substantiated. However, there are also no known unwanted side effects. A