In our gut, there are more than 100 trillion microorganisms that make up the “second genome” of the human body.
Among them, probiotics are a class of live microorganisms that are beneficial to the host, and when ingested in sufficient quantities, they can play a beneficial role in the health of the host. Probiotics have a huge effect on the human body, from regulating the intestinal flora to improving mood, from boosting immunity to helping metabolism.

Mechanism of action of probiotics

People who often have constipation or diarrhea will drink probiotics in order to relieve adverse symptoms, so how do they work on the human body?
Regulate the balance of intestinal flora: Inhibit the growth and reproduction of harmful bacteria by competing with harmful bacteria for living space and nutrients in the intestine, so as to maintain the stability and balance of intestinal flora. For example, in the case of an intestinal infection, probiotics can help restore the damaged intestinal flora and reduce symptoms such as diarrhea.

Enhance intestinal barrier function: Probiotics can attach to the surface of the intestinal mucosa to form a protective film to prevent harmful substances and pathogens from invading the human body, and at the same time, it can also promote the repair and regeneration of intestinal cells and enhance the intestinal barrier function.

Regulate the immune system: Probiotics can stimulate the intestinal immune system, make it produce immune factors, enhance the body’s immune response, help the body resist the invasion of external pathogens, and at the same time regulate the activity of immune cells, prevent excessive immune response, and reduce the occurrence of immune-related diseases such as allergies.

So, who is more suitable to protect your gut health between the first generation of classic probiotics and the second generation of innovative strains?

First- generation probiotics

The first generation of probiotics is 38 safe strains certified by the National Health Commission, including lactobacillus, bifidobacteria, etc. They date back to the early 20th century, with Lactobacillus bulgaricus being used in yogurt for more than 100 years, for example.

They have a variety of effects: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG strain improves constipation and diarrhea, Bifidobacterium BB12 is the star strain that boosts immune function, and Streptococcus thermophilus helps lactose intolerant people better digest dairy products.

These strains are not only found in traditional fermented foods, but are also widely used in modern dietary supplements.

The first generation of probiotics has a wide range of application scenarios and can be used to regulate poor gastrointestinal function, such as relieving diarrhea, improving constipation, and treating irritable bowel syndrome. It can also maintain oral health, reduce bad breath, tooth decay and other problems by inhibiting harmful bacteria in the mouth;

It also has a role in improving skin problems, such as affecting the overall metabolism of the body by regulating the intestinal flora, which in turn has a positive impact on some skin problems related to intestinal health; In addition, it can also be used to prevent diseases, meet the daily needs of healthy people, and promote human metabolism.

Second-generation probiotics

Second-generation probiotics are functional strains screened through modern omics technology, known as “microbial drugs”, which can provide treatment options for specific diseases.

Akkermansia mucchinose: improves diabetes and obesity, enhances intestinal barrier function by secreting Amuc_1100 proteins, and promotes GLP1 secretion.

Faecalibacterium przewalski’s work: relieves inflammatory bowel disease, produces anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids, and inhibits the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria. Clostridium butyricum: regulates intestinal immunity, promotes Treg cell differentiation, and inhibits excessive inflammatory response.

The mechanism of action of these strains has been visualized by gene sequencing technology, and scientists have also determined the optimal dosage through clinical trials (e.g., Akk bacteria recommend 10^9 CFU per day).

Compared with the first-generation probiotics, the second-generation probiotics are optimized or improved through modern scientific and technological means, such as genetic engineering, molecular biology, etc., so that the strains have better characteristics.

In addition to having the basic function of the first generation of probiotics to regulate the intestinal flora, the second generation of probiotics may also have stronger acid resistance, adhesion, antibacterial properties and other characteristics, after being “tested” by stomach acid and bile, more live bacteria can reach the intestine and play a role, improving the survival rate and effect in the intestine.

At the same time, it may also have more production capacity of bioactive substances, such as antioxidants, which can help reduce oxidative stress in the body and produce more benefits for human health.

So how do you choose the right probiotic for you?

The first is to clarify the strain: check the specific strain number (e.g., LGG, BB12) on the product packaging.The second is to ensure viability: choose products labeled with “viable count” and use microcapsule embedding technology to ensure that the strains remain active during storage and transportation.The third is a clear scenario: choose a generation of classic strain combinations in daily health care. For example, diabetes or intestinal diseases, consult a doctor and choose the second-generation innovative strain.

Of course, there are also a few things to keep in mind when using probiotics:
• Antibiotics should be taken at least 2 hours apart from probiotics.
• Infants and pregnant women should choose products with specific strains that have been certified.
• Pay attention to the temperature when storing (28°C is best refrigerated).

It can be said that the development of probiotics, from fermented bacteria in traditional yogurt to engineered strains grown in the laboratory, has witnessed a leap in human health cognition. Different generations of probiotic strains have different roles and functions, and when choosing probiotic products, you should choose the right product for yourself according to your own needs and health conditions.