Insights

When we talk about probiotics, we often come across long names: Bifidobacterium breve PRL2020, Lactobacillus something, acronyms, codes.
In reality, these are valuable pieces of information: they represent the microorganism’s scientific identity card, essential for understanding its real characteristics. Without that “ID card,” it would be like talking about a person without knowing their name, surname, or origin.
To understand why these names matter so much, we need to take a step back and look at the science that brings order to the living world: taxonomy, the system that classifies organisms into increasingly specific groups…

Yogurts that “help the flora,” supplements rich in “lactic acid ferments,” products that promise intestinal balance: commercial communication often groups together microorganisms that are actually very different from one another. Yet, if the goal is to truly protect the microbiota—particularly when it is under the stress of antibiotic therapy—what we choose makes a real difference.
Understanding the distinction between lactic acid ferments and probiotics is not a mere technicality…

When a child needs an antibiotic, the approach today no longer focuses solely on fighting the infection. An increasing number of pediatricians also choose to protect the gut, because it is precisely there that antibiotics can cause a significant side effect: disruption of the microbiota balance, which is essential for digestion, immunity, and overall well-being.
This growing attention to intestinal health clearly emerges from a recent national survey* conducted on a large sample of Italian pediatricians. Between July and October 2024, a digital questionnaire consisting of 23 mandatory…

When you take an antibiotic—especially for several days—your gut feels it.
Nausea, stomach pain, irregular bowel movements, and sometimes even urogenital disturbances such as candidiasis are fairly common side effects.
Antibiotics, while essential to fight infection, do not distinguish between “good” and “bad” microbes: they also act on the intestinal microbiota, weakening its balance.
This condition is what physicians refer to as dysbiosis.
Today, however, we know that there is a solution: pairing the antibiotic with the right probiotic.

When it comes to pharmacological treatments, attention often focuses on choosing the right drug, the correct dosage, and the duration of therapy. Yet there is an element that is as simple as it is decisive for the success of any treatment: therapeutic adherence, that is, the patient’s ability to correctly follow the instructions they receive.
In the case of antibiotics, adherence is even more crucial. Interrupting or modifying treatment can lead to relapses, delay recovery, and—on a broader scale—contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance.

When people think about probiotics—especially PharmExtracta precision probiotics—the first thought is often: “They need to be kept in the fridge.”
And in many cases, that is true. Cold storage is essential to preserve the vitality of beneficial bacteria, which are often sensitive to humidity and temperature fluctuations.
With Brevicillin® Drops, however, the situation is different. Its formulation has been specifically designed to remain stable at room temperature, without losing efficacy or probiotic load. The secret? Sunflower oil—an ingredient that is as simple as it is valuable.

Antibiotics, while essential for eliminating pathogenic bacteria responsible for infections, act indiscriminately, also targeting commensal bacteria that help maintain the delicate balance of our gut microbiota. This often leads to a condition known as dysbiosis, a term describing an imbalance in the composition and function of the microbiota. Dysbiosis is not only a consequence of the elimination of beneficial bacteria but also opens the door to a host of associated problems.

Bifidobacteria are among the first bacteria to colonize the gut in newborns, playing a vital role in the development of a healthy microbiota. These microorganisms aid in digesting breast milk, enhance the maturation of the immune system, and protect against early infections. However, their impact extends beyond infancy: in adults and the elderly, bifidobacteria also play a fundamental role in gut and overall health.
The study The Role of Bifidobacterium in Longevity and the Future of Probiotics by Ku et al., published in Food Science and Biotechnology, highlights the crucial importance of these beneficial bacteria in promoting health and longevity. Let’s examine their impact, characteristics, and value compared to other probiotics.

Nowadays, antibiotic resistance is often cited as one of the major global threats to public health. The phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and, specifically, the resistance of pathogenic bacteria to antibiotics represent an urgent problem, as described in our dedicated deep dive (read here). This resistance is an acquired characteristic of bacteria, facilitated by indiscriminate use of antibiotics, which selects for resistant strains, allowing them to proliferate at the expense of sensitive ones.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with a particular focus on antibiotic resistance, is one of the most serious health emergencies of our time. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by 2050, AMR could cause up to 10 million deaths annually, surpassing leading causes of mortality such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, the economic burden is staggering: AMR is estimated to cost the global economy $100 trillion by mid-century.

It is known that many drugs are capable of influencing the human gut microbiota. In particular, the impact of antibiotics on the intestinal ecosystem is often compared to that of an atomic bomb capable of devastating the surrounding environment without discrimination.