Probiotics are recommended in everything these days, from the kimchi on your expensive sandwich to the soft-serve at your neighborhood fro-yo shop. But unlike some other dietary fads, probiotics are supported by credible science.
Colin Hill, Ph.D., president of the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, claims that “we all exist on a bandwidth of health.” Probiotics, especially if taken as a preventative measure, “may move you in the right direction or postpone an advancement in the wrong way.” To put it another way, this is a bandwagon worth hopping on.
Probiotics: What Are They?
Simply put, the best probiotics are living microbes that, when consumed in sufficient quantities, can help your health. They may be created and cultivated in a lab, then added to pills, powders, or other items. Additionally, some fermented foods and beverages naturally contain them. Probiotics work as peacekeepers in your gut, helping to maintain order and keep everything running smoothly. Further, researchers are discovering a potential new strategy for maintaining human health by modifying the balance of intestinal bacteria using Jamieson probiotics.
Probiotics’ Mechanism Of Action
Though you may anticipate, vaginal probiotics don’t merely replenish your stomach with healthy microorganisms. They resemble the enforcers of the stomach more.
According to physicians, the idea that ingesting probiotics is similar to growing a garden does not appear to be true. Most probiotics do not colonize the gut. Instead, they produce various antimicrobial substances that impact other organisms, promoting the growth of “good” bacteria while eradicating the bad guys.
Most probiotics don’t function by creating intestinal colonies. “They are primarily temporary assistants. The gut’s overall resistance to colonization is advantageous since it lessens our susceptibility to harmful microbes. But it also implies that the best probiotic supplement won’t be retained. This is why regularly ingesting them is beneficial.
How Can To Locate The Best Dietary Supplement For?
“Not every gut microbiota is the same. Like a fingerprint, they are different. How can we all require the same probiotic combination when we each have a unique gut profile?”
Additionally, some probiotic strains appear to be more advantageous for particular illnesses. The three most common probiotic species that are now offered in the United States are as follows:
Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium- The best-researched probiotics are those based on Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. They can benefit people with IBS and depression in particular because they create lactic acid.
Some of the most prevalent species discovered in probiotic supplements are L. acidophilus and B. longum.
Saccharomyces boulardii- The organism Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast, not a bacterium. As a “yeast-fighting yeast,” Morra refers to it. According to research, S. boulardii may lessen the negative effects of antibiotics and aid in the control of diseases, including Helicobacter pylori and Clostridium difficile.
Bacillus- sometimes referred to as a spore-forming or soil-based organism (SBO), could replenish the bacteria in our stomachs that have vanished due to our decreased interaction with the soil. Bacillus coagulans, subtilis, and clausii are a few of them. Some specialists are concerned that SBOs might supplant other gut bacteria, especially in persons with impaired immune systems.
How Can I Tell Whether A Probiotic Supplement Is Good?
Selecting a probiotic dietary supplement might take time and effort. According to Morra, “The FDA does not regulate supplements, and frequently, the client is unaware of what they are or are not receiving.” Even so, superior probiotics have a few things in common.
They include strains like those earlier stated that have been genetically discovered and thoroughly studied. (An internet search may find the depth of study on any strain.)
They don’t include artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, nor contain any of the main allergens. They have a certain number of living units guaranteed until the expiration date.
Have Probiotics had Any Negative Effects?
Depending on the strain and how you react to it, probiotics may cause you to have more gas, bloating, or a change in how often you go to the bathroom.
The best probiotics in Canada are generally safe to consume, but if you have a digestive condition like celiac disease, see your doctor first. If you have a food or medication allergy, read the ingredients list to reduce your chance of experiencing an adverse response.
Do Probiotics Aid In The Reduction Of Weight?
There isn’t a single meal or substance that can aid in weight loss, ever. But in light of that, the research on probiotics and obesity appears promising, despite the lack of clarity on the precise connection. Your gut flora may also be impacted by dietary elements that might cause weight gain over time. It’s too soon to draw any firm conclusions about the connection between gut bacteria and hunger hormones and calorie absorption, but this is one area of research still in its early stages.
Which Foods Include Probiotics?
Miso, tempeh, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and other fermented foods and beverages, as well as dairy products, can provide you with probiotics (yogurt, kefir, fermented milk, some cheeses). While probiotic-claiming goods like sugary drinks and even sweets are more processed, look for at least five strains of live, active cultures on the ingredients list. Greek yogurt without added sugar has the advantage of offering a diversity of cultures as well as satiating protein.
What Medical Issues Might Probiotics Assist With?
While probiotics cannot make up for an unhealthy diet or way of life, credible evidence indicates that they can be a helpful component of a therapy strategy for a number of ailments, including:
- Irritable bowel syndrome: In a meta-analysis of 20 probiotic studies, it was discovered that probiotics reduced the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as diarrhea, bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort.
- Ulcerative colitis: According to a review of trials, a combination of Lacto-Bifido probiotics plus an anti-inflammatory drug was effective in treating active ulcerative colitis.
- Mood disorders: One meta-analysis of 10 clinical studies found that probiotics significantly reduced depression in adults under 60. In contrast, another meta-analysis found that probiotics improved mood in those with mild to severe depressive symptoms.
- Leaky gut syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial using Lactobacillus to treat young patients with severe gastroenteritis found that the probiotic effectively restored intestinal integrity following an infection. Another investigation on a soil-based probiotic revealed that it helped adults with leaky gut symptoms.
- Microbiome imbalances: Research indicates that certain probiotics can prevent the overgrowth of candida and other fungi in preterm newborns and can assist patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO, in reducing bacterial overgrowth.
When taking antibiotics, should you take a probiotic?
It goes without saying that taking probiotics while taking antibiotics is a good idea. Even though it may seem contradictory to consume bacteria while taking a medication that kills bacteria, probiotics are friendly microorganisms that positively affect the gut environment as they pass through. Probiotics and antibiotics can work together to combat infections, in particular. Additionally, coadministering probiotics with antibiotics reduces their side effects.
Conclusion
Even the best and healthiest immune systems are only as strong as their weakest link. This is one reason why probiotics are so essential to get yours do visit Healthy Planet Canada. The billions of microorganisms residing in our digestive system are not only responsible for making vitamins, absorbing sugars, and synthesizing fats. It makes sense then that we would want to replenish the “friendly” bacteria populations in our own bodies. Incorporating probiotic supplements into your diet is a healthy first step to doing exactly that.
