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 Facts About Probiotics That Will Blow Your Mind

If you’re like most people, you probably think of probiotics as something you take when you’re feeling sick. And while that’s one of the benefits of probiotics – they help your body fight infection – there are many other amazing health and nutrition facts about probiotics that will blow your mind.

In this article, we’re going to share with you the top thirteen health and nutrition facts and more about probiotics. But first, let’s take a quick look at what probiotics are and what they do. 

Learning About the Microbiome

Microorganisms constitute your microbiota. The Human Microbiome Project, promoted by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) began in 2007 and focused on millions of years of microbiome knowledge. In this information, there is something quite desirable in realizing the microorganisms' normal flora that lives on us and in us.

Why is a Healthy Gut Important?

Whether you know it or not, your gut contains almost 100 trillion bacteria, many of which are not beneficial.

Bacteria in your gut is very important in many aspects, including nutrition and overall health. A significant lack of good bacteria in your gut or bacterial overgrowth can lead to several health problems 

So, how do you strengthen your microbiome?

Consume more: Probiotics, prebiotics, fiber, polyphenols, and fermented foods are all beneficial.

Consume fewer calories: Artificial sweeteners, red meat, processed foods, and alcohol are all bad for you.

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in the digestive tract of humans and animals. Scientists have been researching the advantages of probiotics for years.

There are millions of species of probiotics in the world and each species of probiotic is unique. These beneficial bacteria help the body maintain a healthy balance of bacteria and help to prevent infection from harmful bacteria.

Is prebiotics the same as probiotics?

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that can help feed the probiotic bacteria that are already in the body. Prebiotics are found in foods such as asparagus, garlic, leek, onion, and sweet potato. They may also be added to dietary supplements.

What are synbiotics?

Symbiotics are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics. They are usually made by combining probiotics with prebiotics.

Food sources of probiotics.

Eat Yogurt and Other Dairy Products.

You should eat probiotic-rich dairy products such as yogurt and kefir regularly. This will give your body a chance to build up its natural supply of these helpful bacteria.

Drink Kefir.

If you're looking for ways to take advantage of probiotics, consider drinking kefir. Kefir is made by fermenting milk with kefir grains, which contain beneficial bacteria. These bacteria help strengthen your immune system and improve digestion.

Add Probiotic Supplements.

You can also add probiotic supplements to your diet. Many people find that taking probiotic supplements helps them feel better and live longer.

Try Fermented Foods Like Sauerkraut.

If you’re looking for ways to take advantage of probiotics, try adding fermented foods like sauerkraut to your diet. These foods contain high levels of probiotics.

Include More Vegetables in Your Diet.

Adding more vegetables to your diet will also help you reap the benefits of probiotics. You should aim to eat at least five servings of fruit and veggies every day.

Health benefits of probiotics

Probiotics and gut health.

Probiotics may help treat gastrointestinal diseases, such as diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Probiotics may help treat diarrhea. In this case, the probiotic bacteria compete with harmful bacteria in the colon and reduce their numbers. Foods containing probiotics may prevent or treat diarrhea. Some people who have IBS, or functional gastrointestinal disorders, have chronic diarrhea. A probiotic supplement may be helpful.

Probiotics may help prevent or treat gastroenteritis.

Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites. Probiotics may help prevent or treat gastroenteritis. The beneficial bacteria in probiotics may reduce the number of harmful bacteria in the gut or may produce substances that suppress the growth of harmful bacteria.

Diarrhea

Many people with diarrhea have unhealthy bacteria in their gut. Probiotic supplements may help prevent diarrhea by restoring the balance of good bacteria in the gut.

DYSPEPSIA AND ACID REFLUX.

People with chronic or frequent indigestion or acid reflux often benefit from probiotic supplements. Probiotics may help to reduce symptoms of acid reflux.

Irritable bowel syndrome

They also may help relieve the symptoms of other symptoms of digestive problems such as constipation and diarrhea and gaseous distension. In recent years, probiotic supplements have been studied for their potential to treat irritable bowel syndrome.

May Improve Ulcerative Colitis

In one study, people with ulcerative colitis who consumed probiotics for 12 weeks had fewer flare-ups than those who took nothing. People with UC often experience bloody diarrhea, which means any probiotic can help. But, if you’re eating probiotic-rich foods already, such as yogurt or kefir, you might not need to consume probiotics.

Can Reduce Risk of Developing Clostridium difficile Infection

Research published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases found that supplementation with probiotics as an adjunct to vancomycin therapy was effective in reducing the risk of C. difficile-associated diarrhea.

May prevent cancer colon

Probiotic use has been “associated with a significant reduction in the mortality of colorectal cancer patients” according to the National Center for Biotechnology.

REDUCE CHOLESTEROL LEVELS

Several studies point to probiotics as a cholesterol-lowering treatment. A review of clinical studies on the topic found that specific strains of probiotics may help reduce cholesterol. According to The Probiotics Institute™, a decrease in cholesterol is associated with a lower risk of heart disease. In addition, The Probiotics Institute™ reports that certain probiotic strains can help reduce cholesterol by up to 10 percent. Some of the strains most linked to a decrease in cholesterol levels include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium lactis.

They may also increase the good cholesterol; HDL cholesterol levels by increasing the clearance of cholesterol and bile acids. These bacteria may also help normalize cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in people with high cholesterol.

May Fight Diabetes

Probiotics should be considered among 100 natural supplement choices for improving the risk of diabetes and reducing diabetes symptoms. Large studies have compared the intake of probiotics to nearly 200,000 people who were advised to take probiotics to common snacks and beverages such as yogurt. In addition, a meta-analysis found that people who had higher amounts of probiotics in their diet had lower levels of insulin resistance and autoimmune responses known to be linked with diabetes.

The combination of probiotics and prebiotics may also help manage blood sugar levels, especially when blood sugar levels are already elevated.

Probiotics and Heart disease

In a 2009 review, researchers concluded that probiotics may help reduce the risk of heart disease. This review included evidence from animal studies and human studies. It concluded that probiotics could help reduce heart disease risk factors, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Probiotics may also help protect the heart against damage caused by high cholesterol levels.

WEIGHT LOSS ASSISTANCE FOR WOMEN

According to the Women's Health Network, "research now shows that when women on traditional weight loss plans take probiotics, they can lose nearly twice as much as women who don't."

May Improve Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or liver disease that is healthy with no alcohol abuse can save 80 million to 100 million people in the U.S. alone unless something gets in the way. A 2013 meta-analysis of trials on probiotics and adults with fatty liver discovered that probiotics could alleviate several important factors for patients with the disease, such as inflammation and insulin sensitivity. This research has led the authors to conclude: “Probiotics influence NAFLD and might be used as a treatment for this condition”

SUPPORT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Research has shown that probiotics can help maintain and strengthen the immune system, even in patients with immune-suppressing diseases such as cancer. These special probiotic cells can help prevent fungal and bacterial infections, fight off viruses, and support the digestive system, which allows the body to better absorb nutrients.

Fight Infections

Scientists have found that a specific type of probiotic, Probacterium paracasei, may prevent infection by Listeria bacteria. A 2017 review found more evidence that probiotics could treat or prevent Listeria infection. If this is true, it will be preferable as the antibiotic treatment can harm and disorient the balance of the microbe population of the gut.

Provide Food Allergy Protection

According to a study of 30,000 people by the Heliyon Institute, having good intestinal bacteria lowers the chances of having a food allergy. The reason probiotics can help reduce food allergy symptoms is, in large part, due to their ability to reduce inflammation and regulate immune responses, in both adults and children.

Support Healthy Skin

Research has linked probiotics to skin problems, especially in children. What is very clear is that probiotics may be effective in treating concerns of dermatitis and infant eczema. Microbiomes are also essential in the proper development of acne, and probiotics may play a role in improving this issue. It is unclear exactly which microbes are involved, but they can affect levels of inflammation through the fine immune system responsible for normal vision and healthy skin. Lactobacilli, a particular kind of probiotic, “can reduce antigen-specific sections of the body inflammation.”

Mental health problems

Studies have pointed to a link, or association, between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system, especially the brain. There is a positive feedback loop, especially in the last decade, connecting our thoughts and feelings to special gut bacteria (intestinal bacteria). Some of these bacteria have been understood to help us by helping us process magnesium, vitamin k, and vitamin b12. The findings suggest that probiotics may one day help treat neurological conditions, including anxiety, depression, and even some neurological conditions, too.

Help with fatigue.

Probiotics may help treat chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), according to a 2019 review. The researchers found that probiotics may help boost the immune system, which may help people with CFS feel better. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between gut microbiota and CFS.

SUPPORT FOR SLEEP.

Probiotics can aid in the promotion of restful sleep. Probiotics were shown to help healthy subjects sleep better and longer in a study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, in particular.

What are probiotics to buy?

When looking for the best probiotics to improve the function of your gut microbiome, keep the following factors in mind:

- Colony-forming organisms (the number of bacteria per dose).

- The types of bacterial strains used.

- How should your probiotics be stored?

- Which strains and/or brand names have been studied for efficacy?

- Use the bacterial strain that helps to treat your disease e.g., Lactobacillus for diarrhea.

Dosages

Clinical trials have looked at a variety of Lactobacillus sp. and other probiotic dosages. Most studies looked at dosages ranging from 1 to 20 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) per day, though exact dosages for specific indications varied within this range. Higher probiotic dosages (more than 5 billion CFUs per day in children and more than 10 billion CFUs per day in adults) were generally associated with a more significant study outcome. Higher dosages are not proven to be unsafe; however, they may be more expensive and unnecessary. In most studies, S. boulardii dosages range between 250 mg and 500 mg per day.

Is it OK to take a probiotic every day?

Yes, most people can benefit from a consistent pattern of taking probiotics at a regular time each day.

Are probiotics safe?

Researchers found that probiotics generally have few side effects and many benefits. Some people report bloating, flatulence, and diarrhea when taking many probiotic supplements, however, a common one probiotic side effect is called sepsis which is extremely rare.

Although probiotics are generally considered safe, if your immune system is compromised or weakened (for example, if you are undergoing chemotherapy, have a critical illness, or have recently had surgery), you should avoid taking probiotic supplements and probiotic foods.

In some cases, you may experience an allergic reaction, so always read the label of your probiotic products carefully.

Are Probiotics safe during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding?

Taking probiotic supplements while pregnant or nursing is generally considered safe. There may be health benefits to using probiotics while breastfeeding.

Certain Lactobacillus strains have been shown in studies to help treat mastitis and may even reduce crying time in babies with colic.

Summary

Probiotics are live microorganisms that are good for your gut health in addition to many health benefits to the whole-body organs. These friendly bacteria are often added to food products to improve flavor and texture.