In this article, I will tell you which probiotics and prebiotics from iHerb to buy to restore your gut microflora.
Probiotics are the living bacteria that make up our gut microflora. They live in the large intestine. There are good and bad bacteria, and in order for the body to be well, the balance of these bacteria needs to be maintained. But very often, it happens that there are more bad bacteria, e.g. after taking antibiotics. In order to restore the correct balance in the intestine, one has to take special medication, namely probiotics and prebiotics.
Prebiotics are essentially food for the bacteria. These cannot be digested by the body and are passed indigestible to the large intestine, where they are consumed by the bacteria. With prebiotics, we can control the amount of good and bad bacteria.
Food that has a positive effect on intestinal microflora:
- Green bananas
- Chicory
- Sauerkraut
- Cheddar Cheese
- Nuts
- Greens
- Fermented foods
Influence of the intestinal microbiota on the body’s health
Researchers have proven in recent years that the intestinal microbiota, which weighs close to 2.5 kg, is essentially responsible for regulating all processes in the body. Human well-being depends on it. Let’s take a look at exactly which processes are affected by our bacteria:
- Metabolism. Without normal microflora, normal digestion is impossible. Bacteria ferment fibre, which the body cannot digest. They also help absorb nutrients and vitamins. They even affect a person’s weight. Scientists have proven that the microbiota is the brain and regulates eating behaviour. For example, if the bacterium Hafnia alvei, also called satiety bacteria, is deficient, a person may feel hungry all the time. Some nutritionists prescribe Hafnia alvei for people who are obese. This treatment has shown very good results!
- Immunity. The intestines have their own immune system, which makes up almost 80 percent of the body. Our health is totally dependent on our microbiota. If there are more bad bacteria than good bacteria, the immune response will fall.
- Barrier. Good bacteria create a special mucus that protects the body from pathogenic bacteria and toxic substances.
- Mental state. Bacteria produce neurotransmitters in the gut, such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate a person’s mood. Modern psychiatrists include probiotics and prebiotics in their treatment plan to combat depression. This treatment plan really works!
As we can see, the overall health of the body depends on the health of the gut microflora. If you can get your bacteria in balance, you can get rid of a lot of diseases!
The symptoms of bacterial imbalance
Unfortunately, people are increasingly faced with diseases such as dysbacteriosis, bacterial overgrowth syndrome. You can tell when your microbiota is not normal by observing these symptoms:
- Abdominal bloating.
- Burping
- Meteorism
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Colic, abdominal pain
- Bad breath
- White plaque on the tongue
A healthy body is able to kill bad bacteria with its own bile. But when the glandular flow is impaired, the bile is poorly excreted and cannot kill the pathogens. I always recommend that you start by taking bile glands for bile flow. Drinking hot water and bitters alone can get rid of many problems. But if the gallbladder is fine, then probiotics and prebiotics should be involved.
The best probiotics and prebiotics on iHerb
Jarrow Formulas, Saccharomyces boulardi plus MOS
Includes the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii, which protects and supports healthy gut microflora. Manno-oligosaccharides are also present. Manno-oligosaccharides is a prebiotic that helps eliminate bad bacteria from the gut.
This drug works on two fronts, increasing the number of good bacteria and killing the bad ones at the same time. It creates a favourable environment for the development of naturally healthy intestinal microflora. I think it’s a good place to start for anyone with dysbacteriosis. There are practically no analogues in pharmacies, the composition can be considered unique. Very often these Saccharomyces are out of stock on iHerb. Incidentally, my husband got rid of the problem of bacterial overgrowth with these tablets. The price is $24 for 90 capsules. You have to take 1 capsule 2 times a day for a month to feel the effect.
Arthur Andrew Medical, Floraphage
Floraphage is the world’s first phage prebiotic. It is a microscopic protein that helps good bacteria multiply in the gut. Floraphage is able to influence bacteria to excrete nutrients that the good bacteria feed on. The drug helps to multiply the good microbiome, which has a positive effect on a person’s immune system and digestion.
I used Sahoromycetes and this preparation to fight bacterial overgrowth syndrome. The result is awesome – all the unpleasant symptoms are gone, namely bloating, belching, even my mood is better. Not a surprise as I have said before that our microflora is essential to our mental health.
Price $18 for 30 capsules. Take 1 capsule 2 times a day for a month, preferably together with Saccharomyces.
California Gold Nutrition, LactoBif
This probiotic contains 5 species of lactobacillus and 3 species of bifidobacteria, all of which have been clinically studied:
- lactobacillus acidophilus (La-14)
- bifidobacterium lactis (BI-04)
- lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr-32)
- lactobacillus plantarum (Lp-115)
- bifidobacterium longum (Bl-05)
- bifidobacterium breve (Bb-03)
- lactobacillus casei (Lc-11)
- lactobacillus salivarius (Ls-33)
The pills come in different dosages, but I advise you to buy 50 or 100 billion CFU at once. The manufacturer, however, claims that the probiotic strains are tolerant of low pH levels and gastrointestinal factors, but not all will survive to fulfill their function.
This medication is great for people who have been taking antibiotics. After all, antibiotics not only kill the bad bacteria but also the good ones, so dysbiosis almost always occurs after taking them. This can manifest itself as stool irregularities, nausea, bloating. Taking probiotics in such cases is mandatory. Price $24 for 30 capsules.
Garden of Life, Dr. Formulated Probiotics
Garden of Life makes probiotics for women and for men. This is very convenient because there are lactobacilli that are needed to restore female microflora, but not needed for men.
Female Dr. Formulated Probiotics has a remarkable composition:
| Women’s Daily Probiotic Blend | 248 mg |
| Lactobacillus acidophilus | |
| Lactobacillus plantarum | |
| Lactobacillus casei | |
| Lactobacillus paracasei | |
| Lactobacillus bulgaricus | |
| Lactobacillus brevis | |
| Lactobacillus reuteri | |
| Lactobacillus salivarius | |
| Lactobacillus fermentum | |
| Lactobacillus gasseri | |
| Lactobacillus rhamnosus | |
| Total Lacto Cultures (40 Billion CFU) | |
| Bifidobacterium lactis | |
| Bifidobacterium infantis | |
| Bifidobacterium bifidum | |
| Bifidobacterium breve | |
| Bifidobacterium longum | |
| Total Bifido Cultures (10 Billion CFU) | |
| Total Probiotic Cultures | 50 Billion CFU¹ |
| Organic Prebiotic Fiber Blend | 377 mg |
| Organic Potato [Resistant Starch] (tuber), organic Acacia Fiber (A. senegal) |
This mixture of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli not only restores the gut microbiome but also the female microflora. Many girls who have taken these probiotics notice a reduction in vaginal discharge, fewer symptoms of thrush and cystitis.
David Perlmutter is an American brain health specialist, neurologist and expert in the human microbiome. He has created a unique formula for men, in which he has added a large number of beneficial probiotics made from different strains resistant to gastric juice and bile, which have a positive effect on gut health. The drug removes a problem such as flatulence, which is common in this member of the sex. Men also note a decrease in constipation, diarrhea, and an improvement in the overall condition of the body.
The composition is really great:
| Men’s Daily Probiotic Blend Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus casei Lactobacillus gasseri Lactobacillus plantarum Lactobacillus paracasei Lactobacillus brevis Lactobacillus bulgaricus Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lactobacillus salivarius Lactobacillus fermentum Total Lacto Cultures (35 Billion CFU) Bifidobacterium lactis Bifidobacterium bifidum Bifidobacterium breve Bifidobacterium infantis Bifidobacterium longum Total Bifido Cultures (15 Billion CFU) | 218 mg |
| Total Probiotic Cultures | 50 Billion CFU¹ |
| Organic Prebiotic Fiber Blend Organic Potato [Resistant Starch] (tuber), Organic Acacia Fiber (A. senegal) | 365 mg |
The price is $31 for 30 capsules. Apply iherb discount code 2024 to reduce the price.