- Chris Muellenbach
Six Common Probiotic Strains - and yes, we have them.
Excerpt taken from:
Hecht, Marjorie. What Are the Most Common Types of Probiotics? Medically reviewed byDebra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT,Healthline.com, March 27, 2017,https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-probiotics
Common strains of probiotics
Probiotic strains are genetic subtypes of species. Each probiotic strain has a different effect

in the body. You will see the probiotic strain names on food or supplement labels, combined with the species name. For example, the Bifidobacteria or Lactobacillus species are often abbreviated as B. or L. and combined with the individual strain name, such as acidophilus. This gives you the probiotic L. acidophilus. This is how the name will appear on food or supplement labels.
Here are six common strains of probiotics that you’ll find on food and supplement labels.
B. animalis: This strain is an ingredient in Dannon yogurt’s Activia product. It’s helpful in aiding digestion and fighting food-borne bacteria. It’s also thought to boost your immune system.
B. breve: This strain lives in your digestive tract and in the vagina. In both places, it fights off infection-causing bacteria, or yeast. It helps your body absorb nutrients by fermenting sugars. It also breaks down plant fiber to make it digestible.
B. lactis: This is derived from raw milk. It’s an ingredient in Nestle’s probiotic infant formula, called Good Start Natural Cultures. It also serves as a starter for:
buttermilk
cottage cheese
other cheeses
B. longum: This strain lives in your gastrointestinal tract. It helps break down carbohydrates and also can be an antioxidant.
L. acidophilus: This strain is found in the small intestine and in the vagina. It helps digestion and may help fight off vaginal bacteria. You can find it in yogurt and fermented soy products, such as miso.
L. reuteri: This strain is found in the intestine and mouth. One study showed that it decreased the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay. It’s also thought to help the digestive system.
Read entire article at: https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-probiotics