You’ve probably heard the word on the grapevine, or you may have read it on your container of yogurt. Probiotics are not a new thing to the world, and what the word basically means is ‘good bacteria’. Many health professional advise the use of a probiotic because of all their benefits.
The benefits
Probiotics are a source of good bacteria for the stomach. Digestive health is hugely important in overall health, and is not something to take lightly. So what are the benefits of taking a probiotic?
Well, the first is obviously that it gives you good bacteria. Our daily lifestyles often mean that our gut health is not as good as it could be. Fast food, soda, and other preservative-filled foods can create an excess colony of bad bacteria in the gut. Probiotics such as Bio X4 (you can check out comprehensive Bio X4 reviews here) work towards balancing these out. Another issue is that probiotics are believed to assist in immunity health. Our stomachs play a vital role in our immune system, and it is usually the first defense against allergies and food intolerances. Taking a supplement makes your stomach stronger, meaning that you are less likely to develop allergies, and food intolerances may not have as bad repercussions (I still wouldn’t recommend indulging in foods you are intolerant to though).
How do I choose?
Choosing the right probiotic can be a nightmare. There are many on the market, in many different forms. You can eat it, swallow it, drink it, go Greek or even rub it onto your skin! No matter what form you choose to consume or what probiotics you opt for, whether that’s Gundry MD Bio Complete 3 or something similar, ensure you do proper research to find what best suits you and your needs. So, how do you figure out which one you need?
Firstly, it is usually recommended that you get 20 billion good bacteria a day. These seems like an exorbitant amount, but don’t stress. Most forms of supplement contain around this amount.
Here I have listed the types of probiotic (scientific names) and where you can find them.
- Lactobacillus – Yogurt, fermented vegetables, some sausages, wines and vinegars.
- Bifidobacteria – Yogurt, some cheeses, some soy products.
- Saccharomyces boulardii- This specific yeast can be bought as a supplement.
- Streptococcus thermophilus – Yogurt,
- Enterococcus faecium – No need for supplement.
- Leuconostoc – Fruit juices, milk products, other fermented products (alcohols, vegetables and wines / vinegars).
So that’s all well and good. You know what they are called and you know where to find them! The main ones you want in your diet are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria and Streptococcus Boulardii. As noted these can all be found in yogurt, but not just any yogurt. The best way to check if your yogurt of choice contains these, is to read the dietary label, it will normally have the name of the probiotic, and the amount in it. Be sure to check the amount. Some yogurt is so over processed that the levels are negligible.
If you fancy yourself keen to try new types of food and drink, foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi over a decent amount of probiotic, and so does the colonised tea drink known has kombucha.
Any side affects?
There is potential for a detox-like affect to occur. If this is your first time fixing your gut health, you may find that you are slightly diuretic, or are a bit warmer than usual. This is simply due to your metabolism kicking up to speed and isn’t anything to worry about. If your symptoms go beyond mild, it is best to speak to your doctor to be sure of no underlying issues.
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