Is Probiotics Essential for Good Health?

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Probiotics are the latest topic of discussion in the health front.

These live microorganism and bacteria have potential health benefits. As a result, we see a plethora of probiotic supplements everywhere. 

Probiotics are primarily good and gut-friendly bacteria. It especially aids digestion. Our body, after all, is a house of bacteria, both good and evil. That’s uncanny but true!

Probiotics promote the growth of healthy bacteria and eliminate the bad ones.

In addition, they may also promote cardiovascular health and reduce symptoms of depression.

While fermented foods have plenty of probiotics, you can try oral probiotics for convenience.

How do Probiotics Work?

While researchers are still trying to figure out how they work, they upkeep good health by:

  • Replacing the effects of antibiotics, which kills both bad and good bacteria
  • Balancing both healthy and unhealthy bacteria to maintain the body’s flora
  • Reducing bad bacteria in the gut that causes inflammation and infection

Probiotics are naturally present in the intestines. Some examples of intestinal probiotics are:

  • Saccharomyces boulardii –A typical yeast present in probiotics that helps fight digestive health issues and diarrhea
  • Lactobacillus bacteria – The most common type found in probiotic supplements. It is abundantly present in fermented foods and yogurt. 
  • Bifidobacterium – Mostly found in dairy products, it is the best probiotic for IBS. 

Probiotic supplements are easy to obtain. You can carry it anywhere.

What do Probiotics do?

Of all things, probiotics transfer food through the gut by triggering the nerves controlling gut movement. Oral probiotics are effective for some of the following conditions:

  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Stomach Infections – diarrhea caused by bacteria, parasites, and viruses
  • Medicine induced diarrhea – antibiotics
  • Eczema
  • Vaginal Health
  • Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
  • Oral Health
  • Cold and Allergies

Natural Sources of Probiotics

If you are not a big fan of probiotic supplements, you may try some foods containing plenty of probiotics:

  • Yogurt
  • Kefir
  • Sauerkraut
  • Tempeh
  • Kimchi
  • Miso
  • Kombucha
  • Pickles
  • Buttermilk
  • Natto
  • Fermented cheese

Probiotic foods are incredible. Any type of fermented food, such as soybeans, dairy, and vegetables, is rich sources of probiotics. However, as it is not possible to have these foods regularly, you can have oral probiotics.

How Safe are Oral Probiotic Supplements?

Generally, probiotics are safe and effective. However, some oral probiotics may trigger complications like allergic reactions, diarrhea, flatulence, bloating, and mild stomach problems. After a few days of use, these symptoms naturally subside.

Most probiotics are effective. However, people with lupus or similar immune disorders should avoid taking probiotic supplements.

Remember, not all oral probiotics are the same. Make sure you choose a supplement that is tested to be safe and effective.

Are Probiotics and Prebiotics the Same?

No, they aren’t.

Prebiotics are fibers present in food that passes through the gut without any changes. Good bacteria in the colon further use them as a source of food for growth.

Our body already contains good bacteria, but very few. Prebiotics can stimulate the growth of good bacteria, where probiotics are already present in the stomach.

Significance Of Using Probiotics In Your Daily Life

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Probiotics are basically live microorganisms which can be easily consumed through many fermented supplements or foods. A variety of studies have proved that the balance and imbalance of the bacteria in the digestive system has a close relationship with the diseases and overall health.

The consumption of different probiotics for women tends to promote the healthy and effective balance of the gut bacteria with many health benefits. One should always have a clear idea about all the positive aspects of probiotics before considering its consumption.

Help In The Maintenance Of Friendly Bacteria Inside The Digestive System

The probiotics are mainly known as the ‘good bacteria’. A distinctive imbalance mainly occurs due to the presence of a huge number of bad bacteria and a much lesser number of good bacteria.

Such a situation can occur due to many kinds of illness and medication like poor diet, antibiotics and many more. The consequences of the mentioned issues can include obesity, allergies, digestive problems and mental health conditions. Probiotics can prove to be a safe option for curing the varied consequences.

Probiotics Can Prevent As Well As Treat Diarrhoea

The use of probiotics is gaining a lot of popularity due to its ability to prevent diarrhoea and reduces the severity of the problem. Diarrhoea occurs as a common negative effect of consuming antibiotics.

Various researches have proved the fact that the regular use of probiotics balances out the bad and good bacteria in the specific gut. Thus, reduces the prospects of diarrhoea. The basic effectiveness depends upon the type as well as a dose of the particular probiotic taken.

Improves The Condition Of Mental Health

Different human and animal studies have found out that the most effective probiotics supplement tends to improve a few mental health issues. The benefits can be clearly noticed after a few weeks of probiotic consumption. Taking the probiotic supplements regularly for 8 weeks effectively reduces the depression levels along with the hormones and C-reactive proteins without any hassles.

Probiotic Strains Help The Heart To Stay Healthy

The use of probiotics keeps the heart healthy with the process of lowering down the bad cholesterol levels and blood pressure. A variety of bacteria that produce lactic-acid, has the potential of reducing the cholesterol levels by breaking down the bile inside the gut.
In the case of blood pressure reduction, the probiotic supplements have to be consumed for about 8 weeks. By keeping the consumption levels constant along with the regular use, one can assure a better heart condition for the users.

Reduces The Impact Of Eczema And Different Allergies

A few probiotics prove to be extremely beneficial. They tend to reduce the severe impact of various issues like eczema in the infants and children. Various infants who have been fed with ‘probiotic-supplemented’ milk, had better immunity towards eczema than those who had normal dairy products.

So the use of probiotics has shown the potential of procuring a number of benefits when it comes to the terms of better health and immunity standards.