Transient vs. Resident Probiotics: What’s the Difference?
The popularity of probiotics is soaring, and for good reason: the tiny microorganisms living in your gut have a huge impact on your health.[1] But did you know that there are two different kinds of probiotic supplements? They are called resident and transient strains.
If you are wondering about the difference, resident strains set up home in your gut, and are the ones you most commonly hear of, like the Lactobacillus acidophilus found in yogurt. So-called transient strains are temporary visitors that pass through the gastrointestinal system, though they can stay for a couple of weeks. Transient probiotics target harmful organisms in your gut, destroying them, and allowing them to leave your body as waste.
One strain of transient probiotic, Brevibacillus laterosporus (B. laterosporus), targets yeast and fungus, like Candida. Candida albicans overgrowth can cause a host of unpleasant symptoms, from yeast infections to brain fog to fatigue. Using B. laterosporus or another transient probiotic during a cleanse — or for daily support — can help restore your gut balance and your overall health and wellness.
What is the Gut Microbiome?
Fun fact: your body contains around the same number of bacterial cells as human cells.[2] Right now, there are nearly 100 trillion bacteria cells and other microorganisms — known as the microbiome — in and on your body.[2]
We not only provide habitat for our gut microbes, but we also have a symbiotic relationship with them — the healthy ones, anyway. We nourish them, and they act as our immune system defenders. When a harmful species comes along and you have a healthy gut biome, the bacteria actually help deter the invaders. They release antibodies and interact with our bodies in complex ways. Gut bacteria also produce serotonin, a happiness hormone that affects mood.
Your gut microbiome influences heart health, metabolism, skin health, and mental wellness.[3] Keeping the gut biota happy is extremely important for your health and wellness!
Consuming probiotics, whether in foods or supplements, therefore offers many health benefits, including smoother digestion, a more robust immune system, better skin, and a happier mood. They can also help reduce uncomfortable side-effects of antibiotics use by replenishing the gut microbiota.[4, 5]
Transient vs. Resident Probiotics
As mentioned, probiotic supplements include resident and transient strains. Resident probiotics are strains of bacteria, bacteriophages, or fungi, or other microbes that will colonize your intestinal tract. They form part of your gut flora ecosystem or microbiome. Transient strains, on the other hand, pass through the gut but do not set up shop. In other words, they pass through within two to three weeks — but not without providing some benefits .
Many of your body's resident microbes established themselves in your gut during infancy and early childhood. Babies get them from their mother, but young children also get them from putting things in their mouth, as toddlers tend to do. These microbes remain your gut gatekeepers throughout life, though the ecosystem can change for better or worse due to on diet, illness, and other issues.[5] Regularly consuming probiotic foods and supplements can help defend against harmful microorganisms that may make you feel unwell.[6, 7]
When transient probiotic strains like Brevibacillus laterosporus pass through the gut, they target harmful organisms in your body, including Candida albicans. Candida is a yeast that normally occurs in the digestive tract but can easily grow out of control. Candida overgrowth is common in people who eat too much sugar or simple carbohydrates like white bread, pasta, and the like. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) can also be a concern. The best way to deter or get rid of Candida or SIBO is to change your diet.
If you have a diet high in meat, sugar, or gluten, your gut will contain unwelcome guests. You can help shift the balance with a colon cleanse. B. laterosporus can help during a cleanse by targeting these harmful organisms. Think of transient bacteria like tourists; they come for a short period only, and while they’re visiting, they give the local economy a boost.
The best long-term solution to gut issues is to eat a healthy diet — preferably plant-based, gluten-free, and with as many organic whole foods as possible. Fermented and probiotic foods play a vital role in keeping your gut microbes balanced.[1, 8]
What Is the Best Transient Probiotic?
Different types of probiotics have different effects on the body. Brevibacillus laterosporus is one of the best transient probiotic supplements around. Found in soil, freshwater, and seawater around the world, this bacteria is best known for its ability to temper fungal overgrowth.[9] It’s especially helpful during cleanses for detoxification and encourages balance throughout your digestive system and body.
Global Healing’s Latero-Flora® probiotic supplement contains just this single strain — Brevibacillus laterosporus. Once B. laterosporus enters the body, it deters harmful organisms, resetting the balance, and allowing the helpful resident strains to take back over.[9] B. laterosporus bacteria stimulate the immune system and guard against unfriendly organisms.
If you want more of a daily-support probiotic, try Global Healing's Ultimate Probiotic, which contains 25 unique strains and 75 billion CFUs, plus bacteriophages and prebiotics! Several of its strains are transient probiotics, including Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Streptococcus thermophilus.
Detox with B. laterosporus
B. laterosporus is one of the best probiotic strains around for detoxing and cleansing. Are you feeling tired, gassy, or bloated? Are you having a hard time losing weight? Or is your brain foggy? Whether you are doing a three-day detox cleanse or a 30-day gut health cleanse, Latero-Flora with B. laterosporus can help you reach your goals (Read about more why you may want to cleanse in our article 7 Reasons to Detox).
Brevibacillus laterosporus is a powerful probiotic bacteria with impressive benefits. It’s best known for cleansing and detoxing the body from harmful organisms, especially yeasts. It is particularly helpful in dealing with infections caused by the fungus Candida. In lab studies, it outcompetes harmful bacterial strains such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Streptococcus faecali.[9] That’s a powerful probiotic!
Points to Remember
The bacteria in your gut help you stay healthy and feel your best. These permanent residents in your gut microbiome play a role in many body functions — aiding in digestion, promoting mental wellness, and keeping your immune system strong.
Sometimes your gut biota requires a little help to keep your gastrointestinal tract healthy. That’s where transient probiotics come in. These temporary visitors to your microbiome can sweep through, cleansing the gut, and resetting the system.
With so much of your health connected to your gut, choosing the right probiotics will help support your health today and into the future.
The advanced Latero-Flora probiotic formula contains the single-strain Brevibacillus laterosporus. It helps deter harmful organisms, such as when you have an overgrowth of Candida, thus creating a healthy gut balance. This is helpful during a cleanse as well as for daily support.
References (9)
- Kechagia M, et al. Health benefits of probiotics: a review. ISRN Nutr. 2013;2013;481651.
- Sender R, et al. Revised estimates for the number of human and bacterial cells in the body. PLoS Biol. 2016 Aug;14(8):e1002533.
- Mohajeri MH, et al. The role of the microbiome for human health: from basic science to clinical applications. Eur J Nutr. 2018;57(Suppl 1):1-14.
- Martin CR, et al. The brain-gut-microbiome axis. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2013 Jul;6(4):295-308.
- Johnson CL, Versalovic J. The human microbiome and its potential importance to pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2012 May;129(5):950-960.
- Chiu L, et al. Protective microbiota: from localized to long-reaching co-immunity. Front Immunol. 2017;8:1678.
- Senok AC, et al. Probiotics: facts and myths. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2005 Dec;11(12):958-966.
- Langdon A, et al. The effects of antibiotics on the microbiome throughout development and alternative approaches for therapeutic modulation. Genome Med. 2016;8:39.
- Ruiu L. Brevibacillus laterosporus, a pathogen of invertebrates and a broad-spectrum antimicrobial species. Insects. 2013 Sep; 4(3):476-492.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.
Dr. Edward Group, DC
FOUNDER | HEALER | ADVOCATEDr. Group, DC is a healer and alternative health advocate, and an industry leader and innovator in the field of natural health who is dedicated to helping others. He is a registered doctor of chiropractic (DC), a naturopathic practitioner (NP), and proud alum of Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Group, DC is the founder of Global Healing – a mission and vision he has shared through best-selling books and frequent media appearances. He aims to spread his message of positivity, hope, and wellness throughout the world.
