Probiotics (multi-strain)
Gut · Live microbial supplement
Tier A-
What this is
Strain specificity matters more than total CFU — marketing 'bigger number' is often irrelevant. Suez 2018 showed probiotic colonization is highly individual; post-antibiotic probiotics may actually delay native microbiome recovery vs no intervention. Focus on strain-indication matches (e.g., VSL#3 for pouchitis, LGG for AAD).
Mechanism
Live bacteria (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Streptococcus thermophilus, etc.) colonize transiently and modulate luminal microbiome, immune signaling, and gut barrier; strain-specific effects
Dose & route
Strain- and dose-specific; typical 10-50 billion CFU/day
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30193112/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28121747/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6966103/
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This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.