Probiotics benefits for gut health
What are they?
The World Health Organization defines “probiotics” as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” In other words, they are living microbes in food that make it to your gut and set up camp there, providing some kind of benefit.
Why are they good for us?
Taking probiotics may help increase the number and diversity of the bacteria in our gut, this can help reduce the growth of pathogenic microbes living in our gut, aid digestion, boost the helpful chemicals that our gut bacteria produce (more on that below), and prime our immune system.
Where can I get some?
Fermented foods, including yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut, Apple Cider Vinegar, Sourdough Bread, Miso and Tofu contain live bacteria and act as probiotics.
Why living bugs are so important to our overall wellbeing
A world without bacteria is, simply, unimaginable. Without them we probably wouldn’t be here. They have existed for billions of years and are everywhere, including within us. In fact, the microorganisms in our guts, our gut microbiota, are essential for key functions that help us live in good health. The same could be said for the rest of the animals, plants or even the Earth.
More and more studies show that the balance or imbalance of bacteria in your digestive system is linked to overall health and disease.
Probiotics promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria and have been linked to a wide range of health benefits which include weight loss, digestive health, immune function and many more.
Here is an overview of the key health benefits linked to probiotics.
1. Probiotics Help Balance the Friendly Bacteria in Your Digestive System
An imbalance means there are too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria. It can happen due to illness, medication such as antibiotics, poor diet and more. Consequences can include digestive issues, allergies, mental health problems, obesity and more.
Defend your digestive health with high-quality, daily probiotics — at an affordable price. One to two daily ProLiv Plus capsules from Thrivosity offer an affordable way to do some good for your gut.
2. Probiotics Can Help Prevent and Treat Diarrhoea
Probiotics are widely known for their ability to prevent diarrhoea or reduce its severity.
Diarrhoea is a common side effect of taking antibiotics. It occurs because antibiotics can negatively affect the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut.
3. Probiotic supplements may improve some mental health conditions
An increasing number of studies link gut health to mood and mental health and may improve anxiety, depression, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and memory.
Taking probiotic supplements for 8 weeks decreased depression levels and reduced levels of C-reactive protein (a marker of inflammation) and hormones such as insulin, compared to people who did not take a probiotic.
4. Certain Probiotic Strains Can Help Keep Your Heart Healthy
Probiotics may help keep your heart healthy by lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and blood pressure. Certain lactic acid-producing bacteria may reduce cholesterol by breaking down bile in the gut. Bile, a naturally occurring fluid mostly made of cholesterol, helps digestion. By breaking down bile, probiotics can prevent it from being reabsorbed in the gut, where it can enter the blood as cholesterol. Consuming probiotics may also lower blood pressure modestly.
5. Probiotics May Reduce the Severity of Certain Allergies and Eczema
Probiotics may reduce the risk and severity of certain allergies, such as eczema in infants. However, more research is needed.
6. Probiotics Can Help Reduce Symptoms of Certain Digestive Disorders
Probiotics may help reduce the symptoms of bowel disorders like ulcerative colitis, IBS and necrotizing enterocolitis.
7. Probiotics May Help Boost Your Immune System
Probiotics may help boost your immune system and protect against infections.
8. Probiotics May Help You Lose Weight and Belly Fat
Certain probiotics may help you lose weight and belly fat. However, other strains have been linked to weight gain.
9. Probiotics May Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation occurs when your body switches on your immune system in order to fight an infection or heal a wound. However, this can also happen as a result of a bad diet, smoking or an unhealthy lifestyle, and if it happens over a long time it can contribute to heart disease. Probiotics are live microbes that have certain health benefits. There is good evidence that certain probiotics can reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and inflammation. Overall, if you have high cholesterol or blood pressure, certain probiotics may be useful in addition to other medicines, diet and lifestyle changes.