Intestinal flora is the set of microorganisms that live in symbiosis with our body in the intestine. They are a group of bacteria that are necessary and beneficial for our organism. The importance of the flora is vital, as it performs essential functions for our body: a nutritional function by favouring the synthesis of vitamins, facilitating the absorption of minerals and favouring intestinal movements; a protective function by preventing the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria; and an immunological function by increasing our defences.

When the intestinal flora is altered, there is a greater predisposition to infections, allergies and, according to more recent studies, even mood swings. But what is most striking and common when this occurs is the alteration of digestive motility and motility, which can lead to constipation, diarrhoea, gas and bloating.

One of the main causes of altered intestinal flora is antibiotics. Antibiotics, effective and necessary drugs against bacterial infections, not only destroy pathogenic bacteria but also the intestinal flora, causing all these problems during the period of treatment. But to solve this problem, there are probiotics.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics are live micro-organisms (usually from the Lactobacillus family) with beneficial health effects. They are naturally found in products such as yoghurt, but can also be taken in the form of a food supplement. Probiotics help to maintain the balance of the intestinal flora and to regenerate it when it is lost due to the action of antibiotics.

The most common symptom of this loss is diarrhoea. The most common characteristics of diarrhoea associated with a loss of gut flora are loose stools accompanied by abdominal pain. Antibiotic diarrhoea is usually mild, but with the destruction of the gut flora, Crostidium diffile bacteria can proliferate, complicating the diarrhoea and making it more painful and prolonged.

Probiotics help maintain an optimal gut flora by preserving the gut’s natural barriers, lowering its pH and producing substances that prevent the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, probiotic intake has been shown to be equally beneficial in the treatment of diseases such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, H. Pylori infections and even urinary tract infections.

What about prebiotics?

Probiotics should not be confused with prebiotics. Although both have beneficial functions for the gut flora, the latter are not micro-organisms. Prebiotics are food components (fibres, polysaccharides and oligosaccharides) that are not absorbed by our body. Instead, they are used by the bacteria of the intestinal flora to multiply. They are used to increase the number of bacteria in the intestinal flora and thus promote the absorption of minerals and lipids. In addition, when antibiotics are taken, they can be used preventively to prevent diarrhoea or constipation associated with antibiotic treatment.