Probiotics
- Olivia Borer
- Oct 20, 2015
- 3 min read
I am not a fan of taking pills, but in the case of probiotics, I am willing to take a different stance. Almost everyone should be taking a high-quality probiotic supplement daily. Our high-stress, antibiotic-filled lives have stripped our gut of healthy, nourishing bacteria that keep us healthy and feeling well. But, before you go out and buy the $5 probiotic from Walmart, let’s get the complete low-down on probiotics first.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are a culture of good bacteria that live in our gut. They help digest food, protect us from harmful microorganisms, help us detoxify from harmful compounds, produce vitamins and minerals, keep our guts healthy, and balance our immune system.
Basically, our gut bacteria do it all.
Why do we need probiotics?
Simply put: stress and antibiotics.
These two factors are the greatest disrupters of bacterial balance in our gut. We all know that stress, especially chronic stress, wreaks havoc on our physically and mental health, but it also harms our gut as well. Chronically high levels of stress can destroy our good gut bacteria, leaving us vulnerable to illnesses of all kinds, both physically and mental. This stress might come from our jobs, family, or our own minds. No matter the source, stress is harmful.
Antibiotics, on the other hand, are often overprescribed (although they do have their place in certain instances, which I have stated before). When we take antibiotics, we destroy both the good and bad bacteria in our guts, and if we don’t take the proper steps to recover and replenish our gut bacteria, we will suffer the consequences.
How do I know if my gut bacteria is not balanced?
In general, if you are experiencing any health complications (allergies, headaches, depression, etc), you may have a gut bacteria imbalance. Additionally, if you are suffering gut dysbiosis (or gut flora imbalance), you are probably experiencing digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, IBS, and IBD. This is not an extensive list of symptoms of imbalanced gut bacteria; the symptoms vary greatly with each individual.
Okay, I might have gut dysbiosis. Now where can I get my hands on a quality probiotic?
First, I would encourage you to add real food (surprise surprise!) sources of probiotics into your diet. Such sources include sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables. For instance, I have a spoonful of sauerkraut (here’s the brand I love!) at breakfast every morning. It doesn’t have to be a lot to be potent!
Second, when searching for a probiotic in pill form, always look for a quality product. Don’t buy the $5 probiotic; you’ll get what you paid for – junk.
Instead, look for a reputable brand. I use Ultimate Flora Critical Care, but I like Jarrow Brand, Klaire Labs, and Ultra Flora Balance.
In addition, look for multiple strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium (but be wary when brands have over 10 strains; the company may be “padding” the product) and strength (8 billion/dose at the minimum). Check you labels and do your research! Don’t settle for a low-quality product and expect high-quality results. Here’s a sample label if you are at all confused:
Notice how this particular example has many strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and it has 10 billion organisms per dose. Look for these details on your labels, and when in doubt, look at the resources I've provided below!
Lastly, make sure the probiotic has no other additives in it like wheat, soy, corn, sugar, gluten, etc. Ideally, it should be dairy and gluten free, as neither of those two items are needed in a probiotic!
What Results Might I Experience?
Okay, you've started taking a high-quality probiotic. Wonderful! What can you expect?
Well, as with many things, results will vary. However, speaking generally, you might notice better digestion after meals, and not feel bloated or have digestive discomfort. It's possible that your brain fog or depression might lift and headaches might disappear. Maybe you'll start to sleep more or handle stress better. Either way, the results you'll experience will be individual, but most likely significant.
Hopefully this post has helped cleared up any misconceptions and convinced you to invest in your health by taking a probiotic. Happy gut bugs = happy life!
Have more questions? Here are some great resources for more information about probiotics:
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