Probiotics in Clinical practice

Probiotics are widely used in clinical practice to support a range of health concerns and help strengthen the foundations of health. With growing research highlighting the diverse and strain-specific benefits of probiotics, we’ve expanded our range to include more multifunctional, multi-strain formulations, with different strengths, formats (including powders/liquids) and prebiotic options, giving you greater choice when selecting targeted probiotic support for your clients.

We know that a variety of probiotic strains enhance microbiome diversity, support the health and integrity of the GI tract, as well as help with food digestion and the production of essential nutrients and compounds. The gut is connected to almost all physiological systems of the body, including the endocrine, metabolic, and immune systems, as well as the brain and central nervous system, and so taking care of the gut and the trillions of microbes it houses is essential to supporting optimal physical and mental well-being.

Single strain or multi-strain? It’s all in the research

There’s a lively debate about whether to use multi-strain combinations or only single strains for specific purposes. The fact is no one way is the right way for everyone, and we need to be guided by what works and what the research tells us. Sometimes a specific targeted strain with its own specific functional characteristics is needed, but also well-designed targeted ‘multi-strain’ products can focus on a health area synergistically (vaginal flora health, for example) or use the ‘team effort’ of selected bacteria working together to support ‘whole gut function’. Because, as we know, a healthy functioning gut overall can be central to addressing specific health issues.

For our new probiotics we’ve chosen Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), with its incredible research track record across multiple functions, as the backbone of the formulations. We’ve then added in the best of the other single strains that have been researched in key clinical trials, meaning we are potently and simultaneously supporting multiple interrelated aspects of gut health including digestion, bile acid metabolism, motility, microbial balance, immunity, epithelial integrity, SCFA production and more. We’ve used key strains including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactbacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus plantarum, which, in various combinations, have shown improvements in candida, symptoms of antibiotic use, cognition, anxiety, cholesterol management, weight regulation, IBS, URT infection and athletic performance.

All our probiotics are safe, human strain, stable without refrigeration, acid and bile resistant, histamine-free, potent enough to make difference, and combined with FODMAPS friendly prebiotics such as PHGG (or no prebiotic if required) so you can support every client’s needs.

Let’s dive into some of the research!

IBS

In individuals with IBS, a multi-strain combination of L acidophilus, B bifidum and B lactis has been associated with improvements in bowel habit, bloating, gas, and abdominal pain. In women, these improvements have also been accompanied by enhanced quality of life and reductions in measures of anxiety and depression. (Williams, 2009; Mullish, 2024)

Gastrointestinal symptoms are relatively common among athletes, particularly during prolonged or strenuous exercise. This is in part due to reduced blood flow to the gut, increased intestinal permeability, mechanical stress, dehydration, heat, and nutritional factors, which may contribute to bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, urgency, and diarrhoea. The same multi-strain has been shown to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms, intestinal permeability, and circulating endotoxin levels in athletes, (Roberts, 2016; Pugh, 2019), as well as improving running time to fatigue, suggesting a role in supporting exercise tolerance and performance. (Shing, 2014)

Immunity

The GI tract is a major site of immune activity, where gut microbiota interacts closely with the epithelium and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Commensal microorganisms support immune homeostasis by strengthening epithelial barrier integrity, providing colonisation resistance against pathogens, and producing bioactive metabolites, including SCFAs. This influences both innate and adaptive immunity by modulating immune cell activity, cytokine production, and inflammatory signaling, helping to maintain immune tolerance while also defending against pathogens.

In children, a specific multi-strain combination including L salivarius and L paracasei supports reduction of allergies and atopic eczema. (Coates, 2025) Multi-strain combinations, and LGG alone, also reduce incidence of coughs and colds in preschoolers. (Garaiova, 2021; Zuhair, 2025). In adults, a combination of L acidophilus, B bifidum and B lactis was found to reduce chronic inflammation, lower inflammatory cytokines and upregulate anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10. (Hepburn, 2013)

Metabolic health

Dysbiosis has been linked to altered fat storage, glucose dysregulation, and disrupted energy metabolism, resulting in obesity and other metabolic disorders such as cardiovascular disease. Modulation of the gut bacteria through probiotics supports reduction of body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio, as well as improving blood pressure and LDL cholesterol. (Michael, 2020)

In overweight adults a multi-strain probiotic with L plantarum exerted a significant impact on body weight, irrespective of food intake, also reducing incidence of URTI and headaches, and improved overall quality of life. The proposed mechanisms of action includes modulation of gut microbiota composition and SCFAs, regulation of energy homeostasis and satiety hormones, enhancement of gut barrier function, and modulation of bile acid metabolism. (Micheal, 2020)

Cholesterol

Probiotics may reduce intestinal cholesterol reuptake by binding dietary cholesterol or altering its solubility. Multi-strain probiotics including L plantarum exhibit bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, enabling the deconjugation of bile acids, reducing bile acid reabsorption and increasing excretion. To replace these lost bile acids, the liver increases bile acid synthesis, using cholesterol in the process, contributing to reduced circulating levels. In addition, probiotics are thought to modulate the expression or activity of cholesterol transporters, including NPC1L1 (Niemann-Pick C1-like 1), a key transporter involved in intestinal cholesterol absorption. (Micheal, 2016)

Furthermore, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis in combination also lower total serum cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as improving fasting glucose levels, insulin, and HOMA-IR levels. (Okburan, 2024)

Antibiotics

Antibiotic use can deplete helpful gut bacteria while also increasing abundance of antibiotic resistance genes. These resistance genes make up what is known as the gut resistome. Probiotic supplementation alongside antibiotics may help mitigate some of the negative effects of antibiotic treatment on the gut microbiota, reducing antibiotic associated diarrhoea (Plummer, 2004; 2005) and maintaining bacterial abundance and diversity. Probiotic supplementation reduces abundance of antibiotic resistant genes following antibiotic exposure, so reducing overall future antibiotic resistance. (John, 2024)

Probiotics may also help reduce the need for antibiotics in certain populations. In children, probiotic supplementation has been associated with a reduction in antibiotic prescriptions for upper respiratory tract infections. (Garaiova, 2023)

Hormonal health

Optimal gut function, a healthy microbiome, and the detoxification and elimination of used hormones are important for maintaining balanced hormonal health. Certain gut bacteria produce the enzyme β-glucuronidase, which can deconjugate oestrogens excreted into the gut. This allows some oestrogen to be reabsorbed into the circulation rather than eliminated in the stool. Collectively, the gut microbes involved in oestrogen metabolism are referred to as the oestrobolome. Changes in the composition and activity of the gut microbiome may therefore influence circulating oestrogen exposure and overall oestrogen homeostasis. (Li, 2025)

In menopausal women, supplementation with a multi-strain including L plantarum was associated with improved hormonal balance, reduced hot flushes, better sleep and digestive health, as well as a reduction in anxiety and improvements in quality of life. (Michael, 2025)

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG has both protective and anti-inflammatory effects, helping to support the integrity of the gut lining and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-8. It is also among the most extensively researched probiotic strains for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea. (Cai, 2018) It supports production of antimicrobials that help prevent pathogenic bacteria and promote barrier integrity and immune health. (Steele, 2022) In addition, LGG may help to stabilise HbA1c levels and support glucose control. (Sanborn, 2020)

LGG also shows benefits for mental health, with reduced anxiety, and improvements in neurogenesis, attention, mood, and cognition (Owen, 2014; Aljumaah, 2022). Findings in middle-aged and older adults with cognitive impairment also show improvements in overall cognitive performance (Sanborn, 2020).

PHGG

Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) is a water-soluble prebiotic fibre that is fermented by colonic bacteria, resulting in the production of SCFAs, including acetate, propionate and butyrate. These SCFAs support intestinal health through several mechanisms; in particular, butyrate provides an important energy source for colonocytes. SCFAs can also enter the systemic circulation and influence metabolic and immune processes, including the regulation of inflammatory signalling. (Kapoor, 2020)

In practice, PHGG can improve bowel function, including stool consistency and bowel movement frequency, helping to relieve constipation and abdominal discomfort. It is gradually fermented and is generally well tolerated, with a lower tendency to cause excessive gas and bloating than more rapidly fermented fibres. Beyond gastrointestinal health, PHGG has also been investigated for wider metabolic benefits, including having potential lipid-lowering effects and improving glycaemic control. PHGG supplementation has been associated with increased abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, which, in appropriate balance, promotes a healthy gut microbiome and intestinal lining. Lower abundances have been found in obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. (Elderman, 2024)

Conclusions

Our new probiotic range takes microbiome support to the next level. By intelligently combining well-researched strains with distinct and complementary properties, our probiotics provide multifaceted support for a dynamic and resilient microbiome. This then supports a wide range of vital and complementary functions within and beyond the gut, underpinning optimal digestive health, and wider physical and mental wellbeing.

References

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Cai, J., et al. (2018). Comparative efficacy and tolerability of probiotics for antibiotic-associated diarrhea: Systematic review with network meta-analysis. United European Gastroenterology Journal, 6(2), 169–180.

Coates, N., et al. (2025). The impact of probiotic supplementation on the development of the infant gut microbiota: An exploratory follow-up of a randomised controlled trial. Microorganisms, 13(5), 984.

Davies, T. S., et al. (2018). Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium promote antibacterial and antiviral immune response in human macrophages. Journal of Probiotics & Health, 6(1), 195.

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Garaiova, I., et al. (2021). Probiotics with vitamin C for the prevention of upper respiratory tract symptoms in children aged 3–10 years: Randomised controlled trial. Beneficial Microbes, 12(5), 431–440.

Hepburn, N. J., et al. (2013). Probiotic supplement consumption alters cytokine production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells: A preliminary study using healthy individuals. Beneficial Microbes, 4(4), 313–317.

Kapoor, M. P., et al. (2020). Lifestyle related changes with partially hydrolyzed guar gum dietary fiber in healthy athlete individuals: A randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled gut microbiome clinical study. Journal of Functional Foods, 72, 104067.

Li, V. W., et al. (2025). Mass spectrometric profiling of primary estrogens and estrogen metabolites in human stool and plasma partially elucidates the role of the gut microbiome in estrogen recycling. Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 603, 112534.

Marshall, H., et al. (2017). Chronic probiotic supplementation with or without glutamine does not influence the eHsp72 response to a multi-day ultra-endurance exercise event. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 42(8), 876–883.

Michael, D. R., et al. (2016). Lactobacillus plantarum CUL66 can impact cholesterol homeostasis in Caco-2 enterocytes. Beneficial Microbes, 7(3), 443–451.

Michael, D. R., et al. (2020). A randomised controlled study shows supplementation of overweight and obese adults with lactobacilli and bifidobacteria reduces bodyweight and improves well-being. Scientific Reports, 10, 4183.

Michael, D. R., et al. (2025). The impact of three distinct probiotic supplements on the gut microbiota and its metabolites in healthy adults. Beneficial Microbes, 17(3), 221–234.

Mullish, B. H., et al. (2024). A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study assessing the impact of probiotic supplementation on the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in females. Neurogastroenterology & Motility, 36(4), e14751.

Okburan, G., et al. (2024). A randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial demonstrating efficacy of different probiotic strains on serum lipids and glycemic biomarker. Nutrición Hospitalaria, 41(4), 793–803.

Owen, L., et al. (2014). A double blind, placebo controlled, randomised pilot trial examining the effects of probiotic administration on mood and cognitive function. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 73(OCE1), E29.

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Plummer, S., et al (2005). Effects of probiotics on the composition of the intestinal microbiota following antibiotic therapy. International journal of antimicrobial agents, 26(1), 69–74.

Pugh, J. N., et al. (2021). Four weeks of probiotic supplementation alters the metabolic perturbations induced by marathon running: Insight from metabolomics. Metabolites, 11(8), 535.

Roberts, J. D., et al. (2016). An exploratory investigation of endotoxin levels in novice long distance triathletes, and the effects of a multi-strain probiotic/prebiotic, antioxidant intervention. Nutrients, 8(11), 733.

Sanborn, V. E., et al. (2020). Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and HbA1c in middle age and older adults without type 2 diabetes mellitus: A preliminary randomized study. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews, 14(5), 907–909.

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