5 Probiotic Myths

Firstly, let’s get clear on what a probiotic is because today we also have the terms prebiotic and postbiotic. A probiotic is a bacteria that you can take in supplement form or fermented foods like yoghurt and kombucha. We take them in supplement form to have a positive impact on our gut environment. Prebiotics are food for the bacteria that reside in our gut and we take them in food or supplement form to support the health of our microbiome. Postbiotics are compounds that bacteria produce and these postbiotics have positive benefits on the gut like anti-inflammatory action or helping to support a healthy gut lining.

Myth #5 - Probiotics must be kept in the fridge

Many moons ago, when I worked in pharmacy this used to be true. The best probiotics were found in the fridge and the ones on the shelf could not be guaranteed to be stable or effective. But thanks to advances in technology this is no longer the case. There is packaging that keeps the freeze-dried probiotics dry and stable. So today in my clinic you will find strains in the fridge and some on the shelf.

Myth #4 – All probiotics do the same thing

With probiotics you have the species eg. Lactobacillus reuteri and the strain which is usually identified by a sequence of numbers, letters or combination eg. DSM 17938. Strain specificity does matter as not all strains of Lactobacillus reuteri have the same function in the gut. This is why picking up just any probiotic off the shelf (and especially ones that don’t tell you the strain), might not be helpful for your symptoms or what you want the probiotic to achieve.

Myth #3 – Probiotics help by entering and then growing in the gut

Again, many moons ago, we thought probiotics entered the gut, ‘set up house’, and kept reproducing to become part of the microbiome. NOW, we know that they are only temporary inhabitants and simply change the environment of the gut to make it more hospitable to the beneficial microbes that live there, kind of like fertiliser. Some probiotics adhere to the gut wall better than others, but still, it is only temporary. About 2 weeks after finishing a course of probiotics we can expect none to be left in the gut.

Myth #2 – More probiotics is better/stronger

This myth applies to both more, as in higher numbers of one type eg. 1 million VS 1 billion, and when comparing a formula that contains 1-3 strains VS 15 strains. Just like with so many things in life, more does not mean better!! Again, it is the strain that is important, what the studies and trials show it does and at what quantity. Personally, in my clinic, through my 17 years of clinical experience, I use formulas with 1-3 strains. I use ones that have a high number of quality studies and display the properties and actions I am after. This is what is most important.

Myth #1 – You should take probiotics after or away from antibiotics

Now this is a huge one!! This is something I get asked frequently by my patients, “I have to take antibiotics, so should I just wait till after, to treat with probiotics?” NO, YOU SHOULD NOT. Just take the probiotics as soon as you can and whenever you can. You can even take the probiotics with the same glass of water as the antibiotics. For antibiotics to exert their action, they need to be absorbed, and activated in the liver and then they act throughout the whole body. Whereas the probiotic is staying in the gut. So, taking them together has no negative effects on either. Ideally, you want to start with the probiotics ASAP, especially if you want to prevent things like antibiotic-induced diarrhoea or thrush.

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A bit about me!

 I am Danielle Elliott a qualified Naturopath and the owner of Tummy Rescue.

I have been helping kids & adults improve their health for over 16 years, with the last 11 years concentrating on helping patients with any kind of gut disorder. I began focussing on everything gut related after my husband was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. And lucky I did……as my husband and both our kids have Coeliac Disease and my daughter has a dairy allergy.

So…. I am well and truly where I am meant to be!

I love being able to help people to soothe and calm their symptoms, investigate the causes and support and improve their gut function.

I also get to write educational pieces to train practitioners and am often interviewed for podcasts and summits, which is another really rewarding part of my work. I love educating people (this is something I do in every consult), because I do believe knowledge is power. It gives you the tools to make the changes you need to!

So, when you opt-in to my E-book, you are beginning on a journey of learning and discovery, of how you can reduce your symptoms of bloating, gas & pain and improve your gut health.

I would be honoured to help you along the way.

Danielle xoxo