What Are Probiotics, And Why Are They So Good For You?

These days, everyone is talking about the benefits of probiotics.

But what actually are they, and why should you be incorporating them into your lifestyle?

The health of your gastrointestinal system is massively important for your overall health, and probiotics can be a powerful tool in balancing your gut flora.

Probiotics are one of many naturopathic treatments for digestive health that can help relieve symptoms of various illnesses, not just those that occur within your digestive tract.

Let’s dive into all there is to know about probiotics, and why they are great for your health.

What Are Probiotics?

Your intestinal biome contains many different kinds of bacteria we consider to be not only “good”, but immensely important.

These bacteria help maintain the health of your digestive system, which is responsible for nutrient absorption.

Probiotics are living yeasts and bacteria that help balance your gut health.

Types Of Probiotics

There are many strains of bacteria we refer to as probiotics, which is why you may see a variety of options at your local pharmacy or health food store.

Every kind of bacteria offers different benefits, and many supplements contain a combination of strains.

Most probiotics come from two main groups called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

Lactobacillus may be the most common probiotic, and it’s found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha.

This group of bacteria is known to help with lactose digestion and diarrhea.

Bifidobacterium is often used to help with symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome and other inflammatory digestive conditions.

Dairy products are the main dietary source for this group of bacteria.

There are also yeasts found in probiotics, such as Saccharomyces boulardii, which serve to help ease diarrhea and other gut issues.

What Do Probiotics Do?

Different kinds of probiotics affect your body in different ways, which is why it’s important to consult with your naturopathic doctor or other health practitioner to determine what kind is right for you.

It can also be tricky to find good quality products with adequate numbers of bacteria and the right strains.

One general tip is to buy a product that has 50 billion or more bacteria with a combination of different strains.

Let’s look into some of the specific ways probiotics can benefit your health.

1. Balance The Bacteria In Your Gut

One of the main benefits of most kinds of probiotics is they help balance the levels of healthy bacteria in your gut.

Probiotics maintain and repopulate the healthy bacteria in your intestinal microbiome.

An imbalance or lack of good bacteria in your gut has been linked to digestive diseases and also to your overall health.

A balanced intestinal system is necessary for your body’s other systems to function properly.

There are factors that may push your gut bacteria out of order by depleting your stores of healthy bacteria, including recent illness, antibiotics, or a diet lacking proper nutrition.

Probiotics are especially beneficial during these times.

2. May Help Reduce Stress

When your body is experiencing an internal imbalance, it can greatly affect your brain function.

Stress can be very difficult to treat, but a key first step is ensuring your digestive system is populated with enough healthy bacteria.

Probiotics can be a crucial tool in helping you deal with stress.

A 2016 double-blind study followed 70 workers as they took either probiotic supplements or a daily consumption of probiotic yogurt, and it showed an overall decrease of stress, anxiety, and depression, and an overall increase of general health.

Adding probiotics to your daily routine are a great naturopathic treatment for stress and burnout.

Providing your body with a healthy balance of gut bacteria is creating a strong foundation for your physical and mental wellbeing to flourish.

3. May Reduce Severity Of Diarrhea & Other Digestive Disorders

The discomfort and pain associated with diarrhea and other digestive disorders can be immense, and they don’t always have an easy fix.

However, the benefits of probiotics on these kinds of conditions are well-documented.

Probiotics affect the nerves that control gut movement, which helps food move through your gastrointestinal system.

They also “have an important role in the maintenance of immunologic equilibrium”, as this 2017 study found — which results in a high effectiveness in relieving symptoms associated with a number of different digestive disorders including acute diarrhea.

Probiotics have been found to significantly reduce diarrhea in general, no matter the cause.

Plus, they are safe for use by people of all ages, including children and older individuals.

For diarrhea caused by recent use of antibiotics, the results are even greater — this study found “a statistically signification association of probiotic administration with reduction in AAD” (antibiotic-associated diarrhea).

4. May Help Prevent Eczema In Children

Eczema is an inflammatory response, and it’s particularly problematic in children.

Some strains of probiotics have been found to reduce eczema severity in both children and infants.

The gut health of your little one is extremely important for their overall health, and it may be causing or exacerbating eczema.

Studies have showed infants who received probiotics had a significantly lower risk ratio of developing eczema, especially when the probiotics contained a combination of different strains.

Probiotics have proven to be a viable natural solution for inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema.

5. May Reduce Cholesterol Levels

Certain strains of probiotics can help lower blood pressure as well as LDL, or “bad” cholesterol.

Probiotics that produce lactic acid help break down bile in your gastrointestinal system.

Bile is predominantly made of cholesterol, and by breaking it down probiotics prevent it from being reabsorbed and entering your blood as cholesterol.

Various strains of probiotics taken as supplements have shown to be effective in significantly lowering total cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Good Dietary Sources Of Probiotics

There are a variety of nutritious foods containing different kinds of probiotics, and these foods are fermented.

Fermentation is a metabolic process that healthy bacteria.

Some of the best dietary sources of probiotics include:

• Yogurt with active or live cultures
• Sauerkraut
• Kefir
• Kimchi
• Some types of cheese
• Tempeh
• Miso
• Kombucha

Are There Any Risks With Probiotics?

Overall, probiotics are historically very safe.

However, there are some potential risks for specific individuals.

If you have a compromised immune system or if you have a severe illness, there may be risks associated with probiotic use.

There are possible negative effects associated with probiotic intake, such as transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from the probiotic to other organisms in your digestive tract.

Always talk to your doctor before adding a new supplement to your daily routine.

Book An Appointment With Dr. Sheila

There are countless benefits to probiotics because of how crucial your gut health is for your overall wellbeing.

Balancing the bacteria in your gastrointestinal system is one of the most important things you can do for your body.

For more information on the different strains of probiotics and how they can benefit your health, contact me, Dr. Sheila.

With years of experience as a naturopathic doctor and medically trained registered nurse, I have a special interest in naturopathic solutions for gut health.

I would love to work with you to determine a natural treatment plan that works perfectly for you and your lifestyle.

Book an appointment with me, Dr. Sheila, today.