One of the most important findings of modern medicine concerns the connection between the gut and brain. In fact, when something goes wrong with your gut, the first to experience the imbalance is your brain. Inside your gut, trillions of microscopic organisms are working tirelessly to keep you healthy. These beneficial bacteria, collectively known as your microbiome, outnumber your human cells by a factor of 10:1. They line your digestive tract from mouth to colon, creating a living ecosystem more complex than a rainforest.
This internal garden influences almost every aspect of your health, including how efficiently you digest food, how well your immune system functions, and your energy levels and mood. Even your weight and susceptibility to chronic health conditions are affected by your gut microbiome. A good example of how the gut works together with the brain is that 80% of serotonin, the so-called ‘happy’ hormone, is produced in the gut.
Sadly, a growing number of people experience an imbalanced gut microbiome. The reasons for this include processed foods, chronic stress, antibiotic medications, environmental toxins, and overly sanitized environments. When beneficial live bacteria decline and harmful microorganisms build up, your body is out of sync and you may experience a variety of issues.
A healthy gut makes for a healthy mind and body, and probiotic supplements are here to help you restore the microbial balance in your gut. The term "probiotic" literally means "for life" - accordingly, these beneficial bacteria are genuinely life-supporting.
The science behind probiotics has exploded over the past two decades, mainly because we are now increasingly aware of the actual impact of a healthy gut. For example, we now know that different probiotic strains have different purposes. Some are great for digestion, others are good for the immune system, and many support the gut-brain axis that connects digestive and mental health.
When you introduce carefully selected probiotics, they help rebuild depleted bacterial populations, crowd out harmful microbes, and strengthen the intestinal barrier.
Based on this knowledge, supplement companies like Flora Health have developed targeted probiotic formulations designed for specific life stages and wellness goals.
Your Microbiome is Your Health
Bacteria are everywhere! You have beneficial bacteria on your skin and in your mouth. But the most significant microbial community is in your gut, particularly in your large intestine. This gut microbiome contains between 500 and 1,000 bacterial species, with individual microbiomes as unique as fingerprints.
The term “gut microbiome” describes the entire ecosystem, including the gut microbiota (microorganisms), their genetic material, the metabolites they produce, and the environment in which they live.
What do these microorganisms do?
- They break down dietary fiber into short-chain fatty acids that fuel intestinal cells and influence metabolism.
- They synthesize vitamins, including B vitamins and vitamin K, that your body needs but cannot produce.
- They train and regulate your immune system, teaching it to distinguish friend from foe.
- They maintain the intestinal barrier that prevents harmful substances from entering your bloodstream.
- They produce neurotransmitter precursors that influence brain function and mood.
When your microbiome is balanced, beneficial bacteria dominate and harmful microbes are kept in check, maintaining your body’s health. When the balance tips toward so-called dysbiosis, an imbalance of the gut’s microbiome, problems arise - for example, your body can’t absorb the nutrients in your food, and both your body and mind suffer.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are beneficial to the body when taken in adequate amounts. According to the WHO definition:
- First, probiotics must be living organisms: killed bacteria don't provide the same benefits.
- Second, they must be present in sufficient quantities to exert beneficial effects: a few thousand bacteria won't have a meaningful impact when trillions already inhabit your gut.
- Third, they must actually provide health benefits, not merely colonize the digestive tract.
The most common probiotic bacteria belong to two main groups: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.
Lactobacillus bacteria
Lactobacillus bacteria, including strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, Lacticaseibacillus plantarum, and Lacticaseibacillus casei, usually colonize the small intestine and vaginal tract. They produce lactic acid, creating an acidic environment inhospitable to many harmful microorganisms. Each Lactobacillus strain offers its own benefits, such as digestive or immune support. Some also support urinary and vaginal health.
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacterium species, including Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, and Bifidobacterium longum, are found in the large intestine. They break down complex carbohydrates and fiber, producing helpful short-chain fatty acids in the process. Bifidobacteria are particularly abundant in infants and tend to decline with age, which is why taking supplements as adults is often a good idea.
Other bacteria
Some probiotic formulations also include other beneficial microorganisms, such as Streptococcus thermophilus for lactose digestion, or Saccharomyces boulardii. This valuable yeast supports recovery from digestive disturbances.
The Science Behind Probiotics
What does the science tell us regarding probiotics?
Probiotics exclude bad bacteria
When probiotics are balanced, they crowd out potential pathogens by leaving less room and fewer resources for disease-causing bacteria. Some probiotic strains also produce antimicrobial compounds, such as bacteriocins, that inhibit harmful bacteria, or organic acids that create an inhospitable environment for pathogens.
Intestinal help
Your intestinal lining is the barrier between the contents of your gut and your bloodstream. Probiotics boost this barrier, which consists of a single layer of epithelial cells held together by tight junction proteins. When everything is well, it lets nutrients pass and blocks harmful substances, undigested food particles, and bacteria.
Better immune responses
Approximately 70-80% of your immune system is in or near your digestive tract, where it constantly interacts with your microbiome.
This extensive interaction isn't coincidental: it's how your immune system learns to respond to threats while tolerating harmless substances. Probiotics interact with gut immune cells and help balance the immune system's response. This immune modulation explains why probiotics help support areas far beyond the digestive system.
Metabolism
Your gut bacteria influence your metabolism. They affect how you extract energy from food, how you store fat, and how your body responds to insulin. Research shows that specific probiotic strains may help with healthy weight management. There is also evidence that probiotics may improve insulin sensitivity and help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
The gut and brain connection
The connection between digestive health and mental health is mediated by the gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication system linking the gut with your central nervous system. This connection involves neural pathways like the vagus nerve, hormonal signaling, and immune system interactions.
Gut bacteria influence this axis through neurotransmitters that affect brain function and impact mood and cognition, including stress hormone responses. This mechanism explains the growing body of research showing that probiotics may help support stress resilience and mental well-being.
Nutrient absorption
Beneficial bacteria synthesize specific vitamins your body needs, particularly B vitamins (including B12, folate, and biotin) and vitamin K2. They also affect the bioavailability of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron, helping your body extract more from the foods you eat.
Who Needs Probiotic Supplements?
While everyone benefits from a healthy microbiome, exceptional circumstances make probiotic supplements especially helpful.
During and after antibiotic use
Antibiotics save lives by killing harmful bacteria. However, they're not selective because they also kill beneficial bacteria. A single course of antibiotics can disrupt your microbiome for months, creating opportunities for harmful organisms like Candida yeast or Clostridium difficile to thrive.
Daily probiotic supplementation during, and especially after, antibiotic treatment may help rebuild your gut’s microbiome more quickly.
Digestive problems
Microbial imbalances can lead to a number of issues. Probiotics can help maintain digestive balance and support regular bowel movements. Different probiotic strains may help support different people, so always look for targeted probiotic formulations.
Age
Your microbiome changes throughout life: the diversity and amount of beneficial bacteria populations decline with age.
Bifidobacteria, while abundant in infancy, decrease significantly in older adults. Age-specific probiotic formulations, such as Flora's “Advanced Adult's Probiotic,” are designed for those 55 and older and focus on age-related changes in the microbiome.
Immune support
Probiotic supplements boost your immune function, system, and its responses through the intimate connection between gut bacteria and your immune system.
Stress and lifestyle
Chronic stress, not enough sleep, poor diet, environmental toxins, and the sanitized modern environment all disrupt microbial balance. If, like many of us, your lifestyle includes these factors, probiotic supplements may help support your microbiome.
Women's health
The vaginal microbiome, like the gut microbiome, requires a healthy population of beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus species, which are found in healthy vaginal flora. Oral probiotic dietary supplements may influence vaginal flora, with certain strains specifically supporting urinary and vaginal health.
Travel
Changes in diet, water intake, stress, and exposure to different microorganisms while traveling can disrupt your microbiome. This change often causes digestive upset. Probiotics before and during travel may help keep a healthy microbiome.
Choose the Right Probiotic: Strains, Potency, and Quality
With thousands of probiotic strains, how do you introduce the right ones for you? Not all probiotic supplements are created equal, so let’s check out which factors determine their effectiveness.
Different strains
Each bacterial strain has its own benefits. For example, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) is great at supporting healthy digestion, while Lactobacillus acidophilus is ideal for lactose digestion and supports vaginal health.
Before you get your probiotics, look for supplements that specify not just the genus (Lactobacillus) and species (acidophilus), but also the strain designation when possible. High-quality probiotics identify their strains because different strains of the same species can have very different effects.
CFU count
The Colony-Forming Units (CFU) count indicates the number of viable bacterial cells present. Higher CFU counts generally mean more potent probiotics, depending on the context.
For daily maintenance and general health support, formulations with 10-20 billion CFU are typically sufficient.
For more intensive support, higher potencies of 30-50 billion CFU or more are recommended. Flora's product line reflects this graduated approach, with different potency levels for specific needs.
Multiple strains vs. single strain
Most probiotic supplements contain multiple bacterial strains for broader benefits compared to single-strain products. As different strains colonize different areas of the digestive tract, the benefits of probiotics work in combination to support various aspects of health.
However, more strains don’t necessarily make the supplement better. What matters is whether the included strains are well-researched, present in meaningful amounts, and aligned with your health goals.
Survivability
For probiotics to work, they must survive passage through the stomach's harsh, acidic environment to reach the intestines, where they colonize and exert their benefits.
High-quality probiotic strains are selected for their acid resistance. Some formulations use enteric coating or other protective technologies. At Flora's, we specifically choose our probiotics for their ability to survive stomach acid and reach your intestinal tract.
Shelf stability
Probiotic bacteria are living organisms that slowly decline in number over time. Some require refrigeration to stay potent, while others are shelf-stable at room temperature.
Quality and purity
Probiotic supplements shouldn’t contain any unnecessary fillers, allergens, or contaminants. Look for products that are third-party tested, manufactured in certified facilities following good manufacturing practices (GMP), and transparent about their ingredients and quality control measures.
Maximize Probiotic Benefits: Best Practices
To get the most from probiotic supplements, improve your lifestyle practices as well.
The right timing
While you can take probiotics any time of the day, many practitioners recommend taking them on an empty stomach or with a small amount of food. Some research suggests that taking probiotics shortly before meals may boost their survival through the stomach. Consistency matters more than specific timing: choose a time you'll remember and stick with it.
Prebiotics and probiotics: A winning combination
Prebiotics (not to be confused with probiotics) are non-digestible fibers that feed beneficial bacteria. Foods rich in prebiotics include garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas, and whole grains. Include these foods in your diet to help both your native beneficial bacteria and the probiotics you're supplementing.
Start slow
Some people experience temporary digestive issues when they start taking probiotics, such as mild bloating or changes in bowel movements, as their microbiome adjusts. Start with a lower dose and gradually increase to adjust the effects.
Be consistent
Probiotics work cumulatively. While some people notice benefits within days, the best results show up after several weeks of consistent use as beneficial bacteria colonize, proliferate, and restore microbial balance. Think of probiotic supplements as tending a garden: you don't plant seeds and expect a mature garden the next day.
Proper storage
Follow storage recommendations carefully. Refrigerated probiotics must be kept cold to keep their potency. Store shelf-stable probiotics in cool, dry places away from heat and moisture.
Healthy lifestyle practices
Probiotics work best as part of an overall gut-health strategy that includes eating a diverse, fiber-rich diet with plenty of vegetables and fermented foods. Manage stress as best as you can, get enough sleep, limit processed foods and excess sugar that feed harmful bacteria, and avoid unnecessary antibiotic use.
Build Your Wellness from Within
Your microbiome is an ecosystem within you, a microbial garden that requires care to flourish.
Modern life and its side effects have disrupted this ancient partnership between humans and our microbial allies, contributing to many of the challenges people face today.
Probiotic supplements may help restore this partnership and rebuild your gut bacterial populations. The right probiotic formula may help improve your overall health and lead a balanced life.
Choose age-appropriate, high-quality probiotic formulations from Flora Health and select the probiotic strains that match your health expectations.
Flora Health's selection of probiotics is guided by our dedication to excellence: from strain selection informed by scientific research to potency guarantees and quality control, we bring you the best there is in microbial health. Choose now a Flora Health Probiotic and support your health and energy!
