Education
Reading between the strains
In recent years, the health benefits that result from taking probiotics and the way they work in the gut have become an extremely active field of research.
Today there are many probiotic products available in the marketplace, including: probiotic yogurts, yogurt drinks and capsules, but not all are backed by evidence-based clinical trials. Also, the variety of probiotics may cause confusion about which are most effective.
Different strains have different properties and their benefits can vary dramatically. In each strain, or combination of strains, must be assessed in the final product (as the formula can have an impact on the effect) for its own health benefit. It must also be safe and be proven by well controlled clinical trials.
The probiotics used most often are the lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus. and Bifidobacterium. Different species can be distinguished within a group like this. Within a given species there may be a multitude of different types (strains), as outlined below:
| Group | Species | Strains | Brands |
|---|---|---|---|
Lactobacillus |
L. bulgaricus | DDS-14 | Natren |
| L. casei | DN-114 001 | Actimel | |
| L. casei | ATCC334 | ||
| L. casei | Shirota | Yakult | |
| L. rhamnosus | GG | Culturelle | |
| L. plantarum | Lp299v | Probi AB | |
| Bifidobacterium | B. animalis | DN-173 010 | Activia |
| B. longum | NCC2705, DJ010A |
Probiotic case study: Lactobacillus casei Imunitass DN 114-001
Actimel, containing the patented L. casei Imunitass®, has been shown to support your immune system as part of your body's defences and specifically provide the following scientific evidence and beneficial effects:
- Beneficially alter the microflora in the gut
- Reduce signs of a weakened immune response
- Reduce the incidence and duration of diarrhoea in children
- Reduce antibiotic-associated and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in hospitalised patients, over 50 years old
- Reduce the duration of winter infections in older people
- Help support your immune system as part of your body's defences
For more information about the research behind these findings