Multi-Biotics supplements are in vogue at the moment because of their numerous health benefits. It is important to remember that multi-biotics are not chemicals like antibiotics, they are in fact cultures of live bacteria or yeasts. The World Health Organization has defined multi-biotics as ‘live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host’.

These multi-biotics help boost your immune system by maintaining the balance of the good and bad bacteria in your gut. UCLA researchers have also proven that balancing the gut microbiome can enhance neurotransmitter functions, thereby reducing depression and anxiety.

Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus are the most common microorganisms that are used in multibiotic supplements. Some of the other bacterial genera are Streptococcus and Enterococcus as well as the fungus Saccharomyces boulardii.

Top Reasons To Start Taking A Multibiotic Supplement

How do you know when you need to start supporting your gut health with multi-biotics? Let's take a look at a handful of reasons many people begin adding a multibiotic supplement to their diet.

When you are on antibiotics

The main job of antibiotics is to kill disease-causing bacteria or other microorganisms in the body. The only problem with using antibiotics is that these chemicals cannot distinguish between good and bad bacteria. This means that they kill microorganisms indiscriminately.

While consuming antibiotics gives you short-term gains, they can be very bad for your health in the long term simply because they disturb the gut microbiome. A multibiotic supplement when you are on antibiotics is one of the best ways to ensure that the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut is maintained. Remember to start taking multibiotic supplements only after your round of antibiotics is done, otherwise, the antibiotics will kill the multi-biotics too.

When you have digestive problems

If you are suffering from digestive problems such as bloating, gas, indigestion, constipation, and diarrhea, it may be due to the imbalance in gut flora. Sometimes, these digestive problems are a result of your diet. When these symptoms persist even after changing your diet, it is time for you to start taking a multibiotic supplement. Research indicates that multibiotic supplements can be effective in treatment of diseases like antibiotic-associated diarrhea, infectious diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.

When you have had a recent incidence of food poisoning

Food poisoning is usually a sign that something that you have eaten didn’t fit well with your digestive system. When this happens, the possibility of the multiplication of bad bacteria in your gut increases. Taking a multibiotic supplement in such a situation will ensure that the balance of the gut flora is maintained and that your bowel movements and digestive system is back on track.

Research states that multi-biotics may actually aid in the treatment of gastroenteritis (food poisoning) in children. As per this research, the multibiotic strains that were found to be effective were Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii. You can even use multibiotic supplements as a preventative measure while traveling to foreign countries.

When you have a weak immune system

Do you get every flu or cold going around? If yes, chances are high that your immune system is weak. Taking a multibiotic supplement is one of the best ways to boost your immune system and arm your body against harmful viruses and bacteria. Multi-Biotics work on maintaining the balance of your gut flora, which is essential for the proper functioning of your immune system.

The good bacteria that your body gains from multibiotic supplements can aid in training your immune system to identify foreign microbes. Along with eating multibiotic-rich food daily, adding a multibiotic supplement to your diet is a great way to strengthen your immune system.

When you have allergies or asthma

Studies show that consumption of multi-biotics may indeed reduce the severity of symptoms of asthma. Multibiotic supplements can also alleviate allergies, particularly food allergies. Sometimes, the main cause of these food allergies is a leaky gut – taking multibiotic supplement can improve the functioning of gut flora, thereby taking care of the food allergies. There are certain studies conducted with children that indicate that healthier gut flora reduces the chances of developing food allergies.

When you have mood disorders

There is a bidirectional relationship between your gut microbiome and brain functioning. When you are going through times of stress, anxiety, or depression, it is likely that your gut flora is imbalanced. Using multi-biotics during these times will not only rebalance the scales between good and bad bacteria, but also improve the functioning of the neurotransmitters, owing to the prolific brain-gut interaction. Once the neurotransmitters are functioning at optimum level, there is a possibility that your mood will improve.

When you suffer from yeast infections

One of the signs that there is an overgrowth of bad bacteria in your body is when you start suffering from recurrent yeast infections or Candidiasis. Starting a course of multibiotic supplements is one of the easiest ways to control the growth of bad bacteria and to bring it back into balance. Getting rid of the imbalance will then get rid of the symptoms of the bad bacterial overgrowth. There have been studies that indicate multi-biotics help treat candidiasis, however further research is required.

Get Started

If you find yourself facing any of these health challenges or concerns begin by speaking to your doctor and possibly consider taking a multibiotic supplement. Keep in mind that you don't need to wait for these signs. Choose to consume multi-biotics on a daily basis to help support a healthy gut flora, a healthy immune system, and an overall healthy life.

References

Mack, D. R. (2005). Multi-Biotics: Mixed messages. Canadian Family Physician, 51(11), 1455–1457.

Mennini, M., Dahdah, L., Artesani, M. C., Fiocchi, A., & Martelli, A. (2017). Multi-Biotics in Asthma and Allergy Prevention. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 5, 165. http://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2017.00165

Szajewska H, Guarino A, Hojsak I, Indrio F, Kolacek S, Shamir R, ... Weizman Z. (2014, April). Use of multi-biotics for management of acute gastroenteritis: a position paper by the ESPGHAN Working Group for Multi-Biotics and Prebiotics [Abstract]. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition. 58(4):531-9.

Tillisch, Kirsten & Mayer, Emeran & Gupta, Arpana & Gill, Zafar & Brazeilles, Rémi & Le Nevé, Boris & van Hylckama Vlieg, Johan & Guyonnet, Denis & Derrien, Muriel & S Labus, Jennifer. (2017). Brain structure and response to emotional stimuli as related to gut microbial profiles in healthy women. Psychosomatic medicine. 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000493.

Verna, E. C., & Lucak, S. (2010). Use of multi-biotics in gastrointestinal disorders: what to recommend? Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology, 3(5), 307–319. http://doi.org/10.1177/1756283X10373814