Probiotics benefits
The digestive system contains 100,000 billion bacteria – that’s 10 times the number of cells in the entire human body! Formerly known as intestinal flora, the community of microorganisms that live in the intestines is now referred to as the intestinal microbiota.
These bacteria, both good and bad, form a complex ecosystem. Among them are probiotics, which are essential for good health. For example, they facilitate digestion, halt the proliferation of infectious bacteria and help regulate bowel function.
The balance of the intestinal microbiota can, at times, become disrupted due to age, diet, illness or antibiotic use. Diarrhea is the main symptom of this imbalance. When this occurs, probiotic supplements or products enriched with probiotics are helpful.
Probiotics are naturally present in the digestive tract. If you eat well, are in good health and do not have any digestive problems, you do not really need to consume products enriched with probiotics.
If, however, your intestinal microbiota is out of balance, it might be a good idea to take probiotic supplements or eat foods enriched with them. Certain strains, such as L. casei GG, S. Boulardii and Enterococcus LAB SF68, may be beneficial, among other things, to reduce the length and severity of diarrhea caused by:
- Antibiotic use
- Certain medications
- Traveller’s diarrhea
- C. difficile infection
However, probiotics do not permanently colonize the intestines, which is why it is recommended to take them daily and/or to choose probiotics that contain several billion bacteria that will live longer in the digestive system.
10 tips to know about probiotics
- There are many strains of probiotics and the benefits vary for each.
- The quantity of probiotics is indicated per serving on its packaging;
- A sufficient number of probiotic bacteria must be ensured throughout the shelf life of the product;
- Probiotic strains must be approved by Health Canada and have their name on the label.
- Supplements offer a much higher amount of probiotics than fortified foods.
- It is advisable to consult your family pharmacist for an informed choice on the quantities and type of strain to consume.
- It is important to verify which strain is used and the results of clinical research;
- Always ensure that the product has an NPN number to confirm its approval by Health Canada;
- It is advisable to follow the storage instructions of the product perfectly in order to preserve its quality and efficiency;
- Always respect the indicated expiry date.
Pharmacy services
Are you experiencing diarrhea? Do you have more questions about probiotics? Just ask health specialistfor advice!
* — Any drug or natural health product may cause serious side effects or interactions with other medications.
—Read the instructions, warnings and brochures provided by the manufacturer and consult your pharmacist when purchasing medication or natural health products carefully.
—Always keep medications and natural health products out of the reach of children.
The pharmacy services presented in this section are offered by pharmacist owners who are affiliated with Uniprix. The pharmacists are solely responsible for the professional activities carried out during the practice of pharmacy. These services are offered in participating pharmacies only. Certain fees and conditions may apply.
* The information contained herein is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide complete information on the subject matter or to replace the advice of a health professional. This information does not constitute medical consultation, diagnosis or opinion and should not be interpreted as such. Please consult your health care provider if you have any questions about your health, medications or treatment.