- Origin
Cultivated strains
- Format
Capsule, powder or fermented food
- Best time
Morning, away from hot drinks
What it is
The human gut hosts roughly forty trillion microorganisms. Probiotics are live cultures — most often Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species — taken to support that ecosystem.
How it works
Beneficial strains compete with pathogens for binding sites, ferment fibre into short-chain fatty acids, and modulate immune signalling at the gut wall — about 70% of the immune system lives there.
The protocol
10–50 billion CFU daily, ideally with breakfast. Multi-strain blends suit general support; single strains for specific goals.
Sourcing
Look for delayed-release capsules, refrigeration if required, expiry-dated CFU count (not at-manufacture), and named strains with documented research.
Honest caution
Speak with a clinician if immunocompromised, on chemotherapy, or with a central line.
What it supports
- Gut ecosystem — Supports microbial diversity and short-chain fatty acid production.
- Immune signalling — Most of the immune system sits at the gut wall.
- Skin clarity — The gut-skin axis is well documented.
