It would probably never occur to anyone to challenge the correctness of the statement that a person is what he eats. Proper, balanced in protein, fat and carbohydrate nutrition is the key to health for many years. However, only products will not be able to fully provide the human body with everything necessary. There is a whole list of medications that help people maintain themselves in good shape and not get sick from the light breeze. Of the large number of different preparations, probiotics are worth highlighting, the list of which is quite large.
What are probiotics?
Experts call probiotics living microorganisms that can benefit a person. In most cases, these are bacteria, but there may be other representatives of microbes (for example, yeast). For which organ are probiotics most useful? For the intestine (the list of such medications is quite extensive) - it is to him that they bring invaluable benefits.
The bulk of probiotic bacteria can be divided into 2 types: lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Each of them has a significant number of subspecies, which, in turn, have different strains. They have one or another positive effect on the human body. An example is the Shirota strain belonging to lactobacilli. It stimulates the immune system and helps promote food through the intestines. The Bulgaricus strain is useful for those whose body due to hereditary diseases is not able to digest lactose, which is found in most dairy products. In general, today there are a huge number of drugs such as probiotics. The list of drugs most often prescribed by health workers and used by consumers may look like this:
• Linex (consisting of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria, enterococci);
• "Bifidumbacterin";
• “Probifor” (dry microbial mass of bifidobacteria);
• "Lactobacterin" (lactobacilli);
• “Enterol” (saccharomycetes bulardi).
Briefly dwell on each drug presented.
Linex
Of the large number of medicines known today that belong to the probiotics group, the list of drugs (a rating of its kind) is headed by Linex. The main active components of this medication stimulate a change in intestinal pH in the acidic direction. This is due to the fermentation of lactose. The resulting environment inhibits the development of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms and creates excellent conditions for the “work” of digestive enzymes.
In addition, enterococci, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which are part of Linex, take part in the synthesis of ascorbic acid, potassium, and B vitamins. As a result, the body's resistance to aggressive environmental factors increases. The components of Linex are also involved in the metabolic processes of bile acids and pigments. In their presence, the synthesis of substances with antibacterial activity occurs, which significantly increases the immune reactivity of the human body.
The drug is resistant to antibiotics. It affects not only the lower intestines, but also the upper ones (not all probiotics have such properties). Since Linex is a multi-component product, it is suitable for almost all patients, including children (even those who are breast-fed).
"Bifidumbacterin"
Bifidumbacterin occupies one of the leading positions among such medicines as probiotics for the intestines. The list of drugs that are in demand by consumers often enough begins with this medication. It is resistant to many drugs and antibiotics, is an antagonist for a fairly wide range of pathogens and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms.
The effectiveness of the drug is due to the high concentration of bifidobacteria adsorbed on particles of activated carbon (perhaps the most widely known sorbent among consumers). "Bifidumbacterin" quickly normalizes the intestinal microflora, which, as a natural biosorbent, accumulates toxic substances (both those that enter the body from the outside and those formed in it) and decompose them into non-toxic components.
However, "Bifidumbacterin" should not be given to children suffering from intolerance to dairy products.
"Probifor"
The drug "Probifor" opens up new possibilities in medicine. This drug is able to independently (without the use of antibacterial agents) fight acute intestinal infections and foodborne diseases. That is, this tool is a qualitatively new probiotic for the intestine. The list of effects from the use of "Prophiphor" is impressive:
• stopping diarrhea in a short time;
• displacement of the pathogen microorganism;
• effects of removing intoxication and lowering body temperature;
• restoration of the structure of the intestinal mucosa and, as a consequence, the normalization of microflora;
• stimulation of parietal digestion ;
• activation of the intestinal barrier function.
Sorbed probiotic is characterized by the so-called "cutting off" effect. It not only quickly eliminates the negative symptoms of the disease (diarrhea, fever, etc.), but also suppresses the infection process as a whole. "Probifor" practically does not cause side effects. These probiotics (a list of drugs that are popular with buyers, this medication must contain) are indicated for use by children of all ages (including newborns and premature babies), elderly patients, women during pregnancy and lactation.
"Lactobacterin"
The main area of ​​application of this drug is dysbiosis of the digestive tract of any etiology (including in newborn children). Also, the drug has proven itself in the treatment of dysbiosis of the external genital organs and a wide variety of infections of the genitourinary system (herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, gardnerellosis), various types of colpitis. In addition, these probiotics (the list of drugs will be incomplete without this tool) are used to prevent complications during surgical interventions and in the postpartum period.
Lactobacterin consists of dehydrated but living acidophilus bacteria. Positive effect on metabolic processes in the human body, stimulates digestion, supports immunity. "Lactobacterin" is effective for infection with staphylococci, Escherichia coli, Proteus. However, this tool is not used to treat candidiasis and is not prescribed for newborn children.
Enterol
Enterol occupies one of the leading positions in the probiotics group. The list of problems in which it can be very, very effective is quite large. Doctors prescribe it for infectious and nonspecific diarrhea, for "painfully sensitive bowel" syndrome, for the treatment and prevention of complications caused by prolonged use of antibacterial drugs. Also, the medication minimizes the risk of diarrhea with prolonged nutrition through a stomach tube.
A drug of biological origin has antidiarrheal and antimicrobial effects. In addition, it can have an antitoxic effect. Possible side effects include discomfort in the stomach. In general, experts say that the most optimal way out for any problems with the intestines (dysbiosis, diarrhea, constipation, etc.) is the parallel use of such drugs as prebiotics and probiotics. The list of prebiotic drugs is also quite extensive. These include Dufalac, Lizalac, Normase, Romfalac, Export, and many others like them.
Hilak Forte
"Hilak-forte" is one of the first pharmacy prebiotics, which "develops the offensive in several directions." The combined drug helps to create the acidity of the stomach, corresponding to the physiological norm. It sanitizes the intestinal microflora with biological methods, i.e., biosynthetic lactic acid induces the pH to shift towards the norm for a specific section of the intestine. Thus, an unfavorable environment is created for the life of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic bacteria. An additional volume of bacterial biosynthetic products normally supports the physiological function of the intestinal mucosa.
Hilak Forte quickly normalizes the intestinal microflora, disrupted by sulfonamides, antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents. Significantly reduces the period of elimination of salmonella after the patient has suffered salmonella enteritis.
However, “Hilak Forte” is not used for constipation, since this medication can provoke the development of allergic reactions (itching, urticaria, rash), diarrhea and constipation itself. To combat this "delicate" problem, there are many medicines that belong to the group of "probiotics". The list of drugs prescribed for constipation can be started from the previously considered Linex and continued with drugs such as Biosporin Forte, Normobact, Normoflorin, Bactistatin, etc.
"Liveo" - a probiotic for children
Before the birth of the baby's digestive tract is sterile. As soon as a person was born, his gastrointestinal tract is “populated” with a huge number of “good” and “bad” microorganisms. As in any environment, there is a kind of struggle for survival. If pathogens are leading, a whole list of problems develops, from intestinal colic to severe forms of dysbiosis. In such cases, probiotics for the intestines will be invaluable. The list for children is headed by the same Linex and Liveo.
The first drug was mentioned earlier. Liveo entered the Russian market in 2013. The drug was developed taking into account the physiological characteristics of children of different ages and is available in three forms. For the smallest (from 0 to 2 years) drops are offered, from 2 to 10 years - sachets, from 12 onwards - capsules.
The probiotic remedy "Liveo" for the smallest in its composition has only bifidobacteria, which fully corresponds to the physiological characteristics of the babies. Drops - an optimal, easily dosed form of release - do not contain any dyes. Liveo for older children, along with bifidobacteria, also includes lactobacilli. With age, the acidity of the environment in the stomach increases, so special acid-resistant bacteria strains must be present in probiotics.
It is very good if the probiotic also contains a prebiotic, a kind of nutrient medium that contributes to a stable improvement in the functioning of healthy microflora in the intestines of a child. The list of probiotics and prebiotics contained “in one bottle” is quite extensive and includes such agents as Algibif, Algilak, Normoflorin-B, -D, -L, Bifilar, Vitabs, "Bifistim" (forms for adults and children are separately developed) and many others.
Regular use of probiotic drugs stimulates the immune system: the child is much less likely to catch various viral diseases. These drugs contribute to the speedy recovery of intestinal microflora after taking antibacterial drugs.
In general, with regard to medicines such as probiotics, the list of drugs for children can go on for a very long time. There are many medicines, but the doctor should decide on the start of therapy.
"Olin" for animals
Like humans, animals suffer from various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and they also need help. For this purpose, probiotics have been developed for pets. The list of preparations for animals, one might say, is headed by Olin. Unlike all other means, this biomass of all bacterial strains is stored in the form of spores, which provides the combined effect of all microorganisms. As a result, the effectiveness of the drug is equated to antibacterial medications, but without a large number of side effects. In addition, Olin corrects the composition of microflora, suppressing the growth of pathogens. The concentration of strains in it is many times higher than in other probiotics for animals.
Another well-known probiotic agent for animals is Lactobifadol. The drug is recommended for use in parallel with antibiotics. It stimulates digestion, contributes to the normal formation of the fetus in cattle, and increases fertility.
How to choose a probiotic drug?
As mentioned earlier, preliminary consultation with your doctor is a prerequisite for the use of funds from the group of “probiotics”. The list of drugs is huge, the composition is also different from each other. Therefore, it is imperative to study what is written on the label: which strains of which probiotic microorganisms will survive during the expiration date.
Next, no online purchases! Still, these are medicines, for the acquisition of which there is a special trading network - a pharmacy. When buying, it is better to give preference to products of those companies that have existed on the market for some time and have established themselves as responsible manufacturers that control the quality of their goods.
And the last one. Store the preparations according to the instructions. Probiotics are living microorganisms. Even in dry form and in an inactive state, they must be stored properly (some must be cooled, others do not need this). Otherwise, they will simply perish.