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Probiotic supplements have become increasingly popular in recent years – and with good reason. Because a healthy intestine is the key to a healthy body and the intestinal flora plays, a crucial role. The teeny-tiny inhabitants of our gut help us to stay healthy. They improve digestion, boost immune function, balance cholesterol and can even affect our feelings.
Probiotic Supplements
The approximately 100 billion probiotic microorganisms are composed of about 500 different species, which would bring a total weight of about 1.5 kilograms on the scales. These include lactobacilli (lactic acid bacteria), bifidobacteria and Enterococcus. These natural probiotics stimulate the intestinal movements because without the small probiotic helpers, a functioning digestion would not be possible at all. In addition, these microbes produce vitamin K, which is important for blood clotting.
Another advantage of the human body through the germs, as they are responsible for the production of vitamin B12 and can ward off pathogens. Antibiotics can disturb the intestinal flora and the digestive system, killing all bacteria, along with the good probiotic microorganisms. Diarrhea, flatulence or constipation are therefore no rare side effects of antibiotics.
The “good” probiotics are found in dairy products such as yogurt, kefir or buttermilk, as well as in sauerkraut and beetroot. Probiotic supplements such as Culturelle Digestive Health Probiotic featuring a total viable bacteria of 10.0 Billion CFUs per serving and Schiff Digestive Advantage Daily Probiotic are available in powdered form; probiotics from other manufacturers are also available as capsules or tablets.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Unlike probiotics, prebiotics is dietary fiber found in certain foods that feed probiotics. Our body does not absorb this fiber, but it is used by special probiotic microorganisms in the colon. This allows the good probiotic bacteria to multiply. Without the consumption of prebiotic non-digestible plant ingredients such as inulin, the good probiotic bacteria would starve to death.
Where to buy probiotics and how to ingest?
Probiotic foods such as probiotic yogurt or other dairy products can be purchased at any supermarket or online. Probiotic supplements are available as capsules, tablets or as powders in drugstores or pharmacies. In addition, the dietary supplements can also be ordered or bought online. Daily intake is recommended.
For probiotic foods, for example, it is advisable to take two to three cups of yogurt daily, as this is the only way to get enough bacteria into the large intestine. In the United States, most brands of yogurt already contain probiotics, although it is necessary to add them after heat processing to ensure this.It is recommended to check the label. Yogurt contains probiotics as long as it indicates’live and active cultures’. For food supplements, it is also important to ensure that a sufficient amount of probiotic bacteria is included in the preparations.
For positive results, at least 100 million to one billion such microbes should be taken daily, which are resistant to gastric and bile acids and digestive enzymes. Only then can enough good bacteria arrive in the colon. The exact dosage of probiotics depends on the exact number of probiotic bacteria.
How do probiotics work?
Probiotics are versatile and can have positive effects on the human body. A decisive factor to be considered with probiotics is which bacterial strain is used for treatment. Although probiotic bacteria are usually considered harmless, the use of probiotics in some people can lead to side effects, especially if the probiotic bacteria in pharmaceutical and nutritional supplements are particularly high doses. In the case of a weakened immune system, it is advisable to discuss the use of probiotics with a doctor beforehand.
Probiotic Dosage
For the effect of probiotic supplements, the dosage is crucial. Probiotics need to be taken in sufficient quantities to really benefit your health. As a general rule of thumb, 1 to 10 billion microorganisms or colony-forming units or CFU (Colony Forming Unit) have a protective and preventative effect.
However, if you want to recover from an illness, you should take about 20 billion units a day. Especially after taking antibiotics, you should increase the dosage, as antibiotics damage our gut flora and thus our immune system enormously.
Therefore, the best products are those on which a clear CFU dosage is given instead of just a weight indication of the ingredients. On the one hand, only tested microorganisms are included, and on the other hand, the amount is not given in grams, but in number of microorganisms per capsule.
Note the customer rating of the products
One of the easiest ways to find out about the quality of a dietary supplement is to read customer and testimonials. Take enough time to find out what other people are saying about the products they have tried.
Colon cleansing and probiotics
Because our gut and gut flora play an important role in our health, probiotics can protect against disease and help strengthen our defense. However, in some cases, the intake of probiotics is not enough to restore the functioning of the intestine completely.
If the intestine is over-polluted and weakened by an unhealthy lifestyle, it is best to do a colon cleanse in combination with a probiotic. The colon cleanse creates an ideal environment for the intestinal bacteria, as the intestine is freed from slag and toxic waste. A clean bowel is the best basis for healthy intestinal flora.
Benefits of Probiotics Supplements
Probiotics provide multiple benefits to our body, including: improves intestinal flora, digestion, and intestinal transit, as well as boosting the immune system. Is it the case, however, that specific benefits are attributed to probiotic supplements?. Here are some uses in which they are useful:
Relief of complications after antibiotic treatment
With many strong bacterial infections, conventional medicines are unfortunately no longer sufficient – antibiotics must be produced. Although such a cure can defeat the pathogens, the body may also be weakened. Because in addition to the pathogens, healthy, vital bacteria are often killed. Especially the intestine is affected.
After hospitalization, many patients have to deal with introduced pathogens, which put additional strain on the intestine. Therefore, after antibiotic treatment, diarrheal diseases caused by the Clostridioides difficile bacterium is potentially painful, debilitating and dangerous.
Probiotics can help fight against it. Thus, 20 independently conducted scientific studies have shown that Probiotics can significantly reduce the effects of such diseases. After long illnesses, which must be combated by particularly aggressive antibiotics, probiotics have become a standard treatment option against later complications.
Diarrhea and Digestive Problems
Cases of diarrhea are mainly caused by infections, most commonly from food poisoning, though other factors may also be responsible such as an unbalanced bacterial environment. Responsible for this is often an unbalanced diet, so too little fiber can adversely affect the activity and number of intestinal bacteria.
For chronic digestive problems, many doctors recommend to clean up the intestines, so to work steadily to balance the intestinal flora again. In addition to strong fiber- containing agents with plenty of fluid, such as psyllium husks, probiotics are often recommended.
But also in other chronic digestive problems, which can put a great strain on health and psyche, probiotics have proven their worth. For example, for the so-called irritable bowel syndrome, in which intestinal barrier is damaged, the use of probiotics is often advised.
Vitamin K Deficiency
Vitamin K is very important, although it is sometimes forgotten in the diet. It is particularly important for calcium levels and a reasonable blood clotting, a chronic vitamin K deficiency can lead in the medium term to cardiovascular disease and bone problems.
Unfortunately, the external sources for the vitamin are limited. Although there are herbal remedies that contain the so-called vitamin K1, this is only partially absorbed by the body. Vitamin K2 is more promising here, but with the exception of the Japanese Nattō, it only occurs naturally in the intestine.
Different probiotics can help to balance the vitamin K household because once they enter the intestine, they can synthesize vitamin K2 and thus contribute to better health.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a constant problem that often remains undiagnosed. The allergic reaction, which often manifests itself in digestive problems, is caused by a congenital enzyme deficiency that results in the body not being able to reasonably split milk sugar.
Even with a lactose-free diet, it is difficult to avoid it altogether. However, probiotics can help alleviate the symptoms of intolerance at least in part because they break down milk sugar in the intestine and thus at least partially compensate for the enzyme deficiency.
Weight Loss
If you want to lose weight, you should first change your diet and do a lot of sports. But bowel activity can also significantly influence weight gain or loss. Many probiotic bacteria can help the intestines and metabolism to get off to a good start.
Laboratory tests have shown that especially lactobacilli – more precisely Lactobacillus Plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. sakei and L. salivarius – may be associated with significant weight loss during prolonged activity. Probiotic agents may thus be a good supplement to weight loss programs . Especially with low -fiber diets such as a detox cure or a low carb program, the bacteria can help.
Skin Problems
But probiotics do not just help with gut-related ailments. The skin can also benefit from the bacteria. For example, they have proven to be effective in controlling neurodermatitis symptoms. But also in acne studies have noted that treatment with probiotics may be useful. Probiotic supplements can also contribute to a purer and healthier skin.
Improving your stomach health and getting a well-balanced gut is important if you want to give your body much-needed support. It is for this reason that the use of probiotic supplements is a safe and effective way to preserve a healthy intestinal flora.
