Intestinal flora imbalance, how to use probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics?

While on duty, a patient who came to get medicine held a box of "Bifidobacterium Quadruple Live Tablets" and raised a question. She had acute diarrhea and there must be bacteria in her stomach, so why did the doctor prescribe "live bacteria tablets" for her? After taking this medicine, wouldn't the bacteria in her stomach increase? Is this a case of fighting poison with poison?

Huazi said that this medicine is a probiotic drug, which can't be regarded as fighting poison with poison, but it can be called "fighting bacteria with bacteria". The patient said puzzledly that she had heard of probiotics, and there seemed to be related prebiotics and synbiotics. Can they cure diarrhea like probiotics?

1. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics

Probiotics : The human intestine is a small world, where many microorganisms live. Bacteria that are beneficial to the human body are collectively called probiotics . They can assist human digestion, provide vitamins, inhibit the reproduction of harmful bacteria, and improve the microecological balance in the human intestine.

Prebiotics : refers to carbohydrate foods that are difficult for the human body to digest, but can be used as food for probiotics, promote the reproduction of probiotics , and exert positive physiological effects. They are mainly various oligosaccharides (fructoligosaccharides, galactoligosaccharides, etc.).

Synbiotics : refers to the inclusion of both probiotics and prebiotics . After taking it, the prebiotics can play a synergistic role to promote the colonization and proliferation of probiotics.

2. What are the functions of probiotic preparations?

Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics are all different, but ultimately they all promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the human intestine and regulate the balance of intestinal flora .

Commonly used probiotics include Bifidobacterium, Bacillus licheniformis, Coprococcus, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and other bacteria. They have similar effects and have good therapeutic effects on symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, functional dyspepsia, etc. caused by bacterial flora disorders .

In terms of effects, probiotic preparations that need to be refrigerated and mainly contain bifidobacteria tend to treat acute diarrhea; while probiotic preparations such as Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis that are stored at room temperature tend to treat symptoms such as chronic constipation and functional dyspepsia.

For chronic constipation, prebiotic preparations can also be used for treatment . For example, lactulose is a disaccharide that cannot be digested and absorbed by the human body, but it can be metabolized by intestinal bacteria as a prebiotic, producing acidic substances to stimulate intestinal peristalsis and absorb water to soften feces. If the effect of using probiotics or prebiotics alone is not good, you can also try using synbiotic preparations.

3. Things to note when taking probiotics

1. Do not take medicine with hot water : Probiotic preparations contain live beneficial bacteria. Overheating the water when taking medicine will kill the beneficial bacteria, greatly reducing the efficacy of the medicine, or even making it ineffective. Therefore , it is best to use cold boiled water when taking probiotics .

2. Do not take on an empty stomach : Gastric acid is the body's defense barrier. Taking probiotic preparations on an empty stomach will cause the beneficial bacteria to come into direct contact with gastric acid and be inactivated in large quantities. Therefore, probiotic preparations should be taken after meals , using food to neutralize gastric acid, so that more probiotics can live and reach the intestines to play a role.

3. Do not take with antibiotics : If you need to use antibiotics (such as cephalosporin, floxacin, etc.), take the antibiotics first to kill harmful bacteria, and then take probiotic preparations at least 2 hours later . This can avoid the probiotics being killed by the antibiotics and maximize the efficacy.

In summary, probiotics can regulate the balance of intestinal flora; prebiotics are the "food" of probiotics and can promote the proliferation of probiotics; synbiotics contain both probiotics and prebiotics. When using them in practice, they should be selected under the guidance of a doctor according to the different conditions. When taking probiotics, be careful to avoid reducing the efficacy of the drug.

If you have any questions about medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. I am pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.