You might have heard people taking supplements of proven probiotics. Ever since you have heard of this term, you might think, why are probiotics so popular? Are these supplements really helpful for our health? What actually do they contain? So many more questions come to our minds. After all these days, It seems to be everywhere. However, unlike other nutritional supplements, not many people have in-depth knowledge about probiotics and how they help our health. In literal words, they are a certain type of friendly bacteria that provide various health benefits when taken correctly. In this article, we are going to discuss what probiotics are, what they do to our body, their benefits, and everything that concerns them and our health.
What Are Probiotics?
If we put it in simple words, then probiotics are live microorganisms like strains of bacteria that are in adequate amounts to give you enough health benefits. It can be developed and grown in labs and is then put in powder, pills, and other products and supplements, which we usually buy from the pharmacy Limassol. In addition to that, It also occurs naturally in some fermented foods and drinks. They act like peacekeepers and help restore the right food process when they are present in your gut. Therefore, you can easily get probiotics from supplements and foods prepared for bacteria fermentation.
What Probiotics Do To Your Body?
Probiotics take up a temporary residence in your gut. So in order to reap the maximum benefits, you have to keep consuming probiotics. Many probiotic experts suggest individuals regularly maintain an intake of probiotics for the best benefits.
Help With Constipation
Probiotics are smart, and some even specifically help with diarrhea and constipation. They go down to our gut to determine what our guts need and then respond by regulating inflammation or your immune response.
Negotiate With Pathogens
Although not all pathogens are harmful, some of them release toxins. For example, They let pathogens live in your gut but do not allow them to release their toxins making, rendering bugs harmless in your gut.
Improve Gut’s Barrier
In your gut, there’s only one layer of cells, meaning the GI tract ultra-think barrier allows nutrients to pass through and repel toxins. Probiotics tighten the binding between cells and stimulate mucus production that does not allow pathogens to disrupt the GI tract.
What Are The Benefits of Consuming Probiotics?
Your gut consists plethora of these different types of microorganisms. These microorganisms help your body perform various bodily functions that bring fruitful results to your health. Here are a few benefits.
Impact On Digestive Health
As per the various evidence, probiotic supplements can help cure antibiotic-associated diarrhea. In addition, it also helps combat irritable bowel syndrome, a common digestive disorder, and relieves other symptoms of the same.
Impact On Immune Function
Probiotics help regulate the host’s innate and adaptive immune responses by modulating the functions of macrophages and T & B lymphocytes. This helps in defining and maintaining the delicate balance of the immune system.
Impact On mental health
The probiotic strains Lactobacillus Helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum help with mental health issues like depression and anxiety. It also helps people deal with clinical depression.
What Health Conditions Probiotics Help Treat?
Probiotics cannot entirely compensate for your health if you follow an unhealthy diet or lifestyle. However, as per the research studies, it can e an effective part of a treatment plan for different illnesses. Some of the health conditions probiotics can help in the treatment of are:
Mood Disorders
Probiotics are also helpful in improving mood in those presenting mild to moderate depressive symptoms. Another meta-analysis also results that they are helpful in a significant reduction in depression for individuals under 60 years of age.
Ulcerative Colitis
One of the research reviews also found that probiotics respond very well to active ulcerative colitis with a combination of Lacto-Bifido probiotics and an anti-inflammatory medication.
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Probiotics help treat children who have acute gastroenteritis. In addition, it helps in rebuilding intestinal integrity after a stomach infection. Another study also stated that soil-based probiotics also reduced the symptoms associated with leaky gut in adults.
Microbiome Imbalance
As per the research studies, some probiotics are as effective as antifungal drugs. They actually help in preventing the overgrowth of candida and other fungi in premature infants. As a result, this helps in reducing the bacteria overgrowth in the patients.
How Can I Add Probiotics To My Diet Naturally?
Probiotics usually called beneficial or friendly bacteria, provide our body with all sorts of powerful benefits to the body and brain. While consuming It in the form of supplements is popular, many people also consider taking them the natural way. Here is a list of probiotic-rich foods that are super healthy.
Yogurt
It is made from milk that has been fermented by probiotics, mainly consisting of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria. Consuming yogurt can help bone health and is also beneficial for people suffering from high blood pressure.
Kimchi
Kimchi is a fermented spicy Korean side dish. Cabbage is usually the main ingredient, but it can also be made using different vegetables. It contains lactic acid bacteria as well as other ones that may benefit digestive health.
Tempeh
It is a common meat substitute food that is made from soybeans and fermented. The cooking process turns tempeh into dense cakes that can be sliced. You can then grill or saute them to eat and reap their nutritional benefits.
Kombucha
It is an effervescent tea that is made by fermenting either black or green tea with a symbiotic culture of yeast and bacteria. It is typically sold in various fruit flavors and is an ideal drink to fill your body with healthy bacteria.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Probiotics?
Every good thing has its merits and demerits, and that is the same with the consumption of probiotics. They have a few side effects when not taken in the desired amount and may increase bloating or gas. In addition to that, it may also bring bowel movement depending on the strain and your body’s personal response to it. While everyone can take probiotics, it’s better to consult a doctor before taking them if you have a digestive problem like celiac disease. In addition to that, also check the ingredients on the label of the food or supplement of probiotics to minimize any risk of reaction.
Conclusion
Maintaining a healthy gut is our duty, and taking probiotics can help us do that. Apart from that, it would help if you also made some lifestyle changes to help the process. So, if you are looking for ways to improve your gut health, It could be worth trying.
