Curious About Gut Health? 3 Probiotics for Better Balance

If you're curious about gut health, you're not alone.

Gut health is important for your body. We are just discovering how much it affects overall health

Your gut contains 500 to 1,000 types of many little microbes— known as your microbiome. These microbes are equal to the number of your human cells, and they work together to keep your body running smoothly. 

Thanks to science, we now know that gut health affects so much more than digestion,  discussed further here and here. In this article, we focus on three effective probiotic strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (Bi-07) and Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG®).

You can find these strains Ultra Flora Daily Balance and Ultra Flora Daily Balance Dairy Free. These strains work in several ways to support healthy gut bacteria for overall balance.

Your Gut is a Garden & Probiotics Help Improve It's Overall Health

Probiotics are live organisms found in certain foods and supplements that help maintain your microbiome. When there is a healthy balance of beneficial species, your whole body operates well. But when there aren't enough good bacteria, there can be disruption to the system.²

Probiotics are like fertiliser for your gut - they help good bacteria grow.

Think of your gut health as a rainforest. Good bacteria work together to keep everything in balance. Fibre is the rain that feeds the bacteria within your system, helping maintain a healthy inner ecosystem.

Just like a diverse number of plants supports life in the rainforest, bacteria help your body in the same way. A healthy gut relies on having a diverse amount of beneficial bacteria.

With that in mind, let's explore three probiotics you can take to boost the health of your gut ecosystem.

Probiotic 1: NCFM® for Good Bacteria

NCFM® is like a seasoned traveler who knows exactly how to navigate your gut. This probiotic strain has over 40 years of research and 30 clinical trials behind it. It survives saliva and stomach acid, so it reaches where it is needed most. 

NCFM® thrives on different types of dietary fibers. These fibers act like fuel for good bacteria. They keep your microbial ecosystem balanced. NCFM® also supports your immune system

In clinical studies, NCFM® has been shown to reduce bloating and digestive discomfort. This helps you feel lighter and more comfortable during the day.⁵,⁶

Probiotic 2: Bi-07 for Better Gut Bacteria

Since 1997, Bi-07 has been shown to support a healthy gut environment. It works by breaking down a wide range of dietary fibres, producing beneficial compounds to support the body.⁴ It also helps strengthen your immune system. It boosts immune cells that defend against harmful bacteria and viruses.⁷

Bi-07 may help reduce digestive discomfort and support regular bowel movements for gut health. In one study, women who ate cheese with Bi-07 felt relief from constipation in just 30 days.⁸

Probiotic 3: LGG® to Support Gut Health

Since 1989, researchers have extensively studied LGG®. Within the gut, LGG®helps to stabilise and protect the environment your gut bacteria need to thrive. It does this by nurturing the 'keystone' species that hold your inner ecosystem together.

Keystone species serves as an important part of any thriving ecosystem. LGG® helps certain bacteria in the gut. These bacteria do important jobs and create a good environment for other helpful microbes to grow.⁹

Scientific studies have shown LGG® to be beneficial for digestive issues, infections, allergies,  liver disorders, heart disease, and more.⁹ For this reason, LGG® is a great probiotic to take for general health.

Bringing Balance Back to Your Gut

Just like a rainforest, your gut relies on its beneficial species. When balance disrupts, targeted probiotics can restore harmony and keep your inner ecosystem strong.

To support your gut health, click here to explore our digestive health range. You can also talk to a healthcare practitioner to find the best option for you.

References

1. Davenport ER, Sanders JG, Song SJ, Amato KR, Clark AG, Knight R. The human microbiome in evolution. BMC Biol. 2017;15(1):127. doi:10.1186/s12915-017-0454-7\
2. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Probiotics: Health Professional Fact Sheet. Updated November 3, 2023. Accessed May 2, 2025.
3. Andersen JM, Barrangou R, Hachem MA, et al. Transcriptional analysis of prebiotic uptake and catabolism by Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM. PLoS One. 2012;7(9):e44409.
4. Mäkeläinen H, Saarinen M, Stowell J, et al. Xylo-oligosaccharides and lactitol promote the growth of Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus species in pure cultures. Benef Microbes. 2010 Jun;1(2):139-48.
   
5. Ringel Y, Ringel-Kulka T, Palsson OS, et al. Probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 versus placebo for the symptoms of bloating in patients with functional bowel disorders: a double-blind study. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2011Jul;45(6):518-25.
6. Ringel-Kulka T, Goldsmith JR, Carroll IM,  et al. Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM affects colonic mucosal opioid receptor expression in patients with functional abdominal pain - a randomised clinical study. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2014 Jul;40(2):2007.
   
7. Maneerat S, Lehtinen MJ, Childs CE, et al. Consumption of Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 by healthy elderly adults enhances phagocytic activity of monocytes and granulocytes. J Nutr Sci. 2014;2:e44.  doi:10.1017/jns.2013.31
8. Favretto DC, Pontin B, Moreira TR. Effect of the consumption of a cheese enriched with probiotic organisms (Bifidobacterium lactis bi-07) in improving symptoms of constipation. Arq Gastroenterol. 2013;50(3):196-201. doi:10.1590/S0004-28032013000200035
9. Capurso L. Thirty Years of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: A Review. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2019;53 Suppl 1:S1-S41. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001170