Shelf-stable probiotics offer the advantage of being more portable than the ones that need to be refrigerated. This means it’s easier to keep it somewhere you will remember to take it whether that be on your desk or bedside table. The other advantage is you can take them with you when you travel.
Most probiotics are made shelf-stable by freeze-drying live bacteria. They are flash-frozen in a vacuum and remain dormant until they reach moisture.
Probiotic Strains: Did you know?
There are billions of types of strains of bacteria that live in our digestive systems. Since stumbling on the amazing benefits of supplementing with these beneficial bacteria, research has gone further to discover the unique therapeutic values held by individual strains that may be particularly good for certain conditions.
Let’s look at what these individual strains can be good for…
Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis (BI-04)
- Digestive health
- Diarrhea symptoms such as bloating, fever, and gut discomfort
- Optimal respiratory health
- Proactively supporting your immune system (staying healthy)
Also known as Bifidobacterium lactis BI-04, this strain was involved in a study with the Australian Institute of Sport and Griffith University. The study measured the effect of Bifidobacterium lactis BI-04 on healthy, active men and women over a 5-month period. The results showed that the incidence of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTIs) was less than that of the placebo group by 27%. Other findings were that it supported the immune system, particularly in the nasal passages.
Bifidobacterium lactis (HN019) HOWARU®
- Digestive regularity
- Symptoms such as occasional constipation, gas, nausea, and discomfort
Affectionately known as B. lactis HN019, this strain of bacteria has been shown to be safe and well tolerated and improves bowel movement frequency in adults with constipation.
B. lactis HN019 has also been shown to relieve gastrointestinal symptoms, in a randomised controlled trial (gold standard) on 88 adults over 14 days. The high-dose group (17 billion CFU) and low-dose group (1.8 billion CFU) had improvements in bowel movement time (increased speed of bowel transit), compared to placebo. Also, the high-dose group had improvements in 8 out of 9 gut symptoms, and the low-dose group had improvements in 7 out of 9, while the placebo group only had improvements in 2 out of 9 symptoms.
Symptoms included vomiting, regurgitation, abdominal pain, nausea, gurgling, constipation, diarrhea, irregular bowel movements, and flatulence.
Lactobacillus sp
The Lactobacillus strains promote overall good health. They inhibit the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria by producing acids that reduce intestinal pH, hindering the growth of pathogenic bacterial strains. Lactobacillus strains can also help with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.
Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-14)
- Immune system support
- Respiratory health
- Inhibits growth of pathogens (germs/bad bacteria)
Preclinical studies have shown that La-14® can impact both the innate (general) and adaptive (specialised) immune system response. It is also suggested it can stimulate and modulate the respiratory system's immune response.
Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp-115)
- Can inhibit common pathogens (germs/bad bacteria)
- May support immune health
One study looked at Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-14) 15.5 billion CFU and Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp-115) 5 billion CFU in combination with other probiotics for reducing post-operative infection. The probiotic group had the strains twice a day, and the control group just had fibre. The group that had the probiotics had a lower incidence of bacterial infections and a shorter duration of antibiotic therapy following surgery than the fibre group.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus (GG)
- Can relieve IBS (irritable bowel syndrome)
- Reduces antibiotic-associated diarrhoea
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, is used in cases of diarrhoea, particularly the diarrhoea caused by antibiotic use. GG also helps to reduce pain and discomfort associated with IBS in adults and children and supports the immune system by increasing natural killer cells (immune cells that destroy pathogens).
Key Takeaways
- Shelf stale probiotics are versatile and convenient
- Bifidobacterium sp supports gastrointestinal (digestive) and immune health
- Lactobacillus sp supports the immune system, inhibits pathogens in the gut, and reduces antibiotic-associated diarrhoea
