WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS AND HOW DO THEY WORK?
When we think of bacteria, we usually conjure up images of germs, illness, and disease. However, the truth is that your body is home to trillions of microbes that are vital to your health and well-being. Consider this: for every single human cell in your body, there are around 10 single-celled bacteria, weighing a total of 2.2 pounds! probioticseverything.comprobiotic culturelle
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that dwell in your gut and help to keep it healthy. These helpful bacteria patrol your intestines, aiding digestion, removing harmful infections, and creating vitamins to keep your digestive system working properly.
Antibiotics kill both contagious and healthy bacteria, thus probiotics are especially beneficial following a course of antibiotics. When beneficial bacteria are eliminated, dangerous bacteria thrive. This can result in indigestion, skin flare-ups, or vaginal microbiota abnormalities.
BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS
A healthy gut flora is beneficial to your health, digestion, well-being, and even appearance! The gut-brain axis, as we saw last week, is a continuous line of communication between your gastrointestinal tract and your brain. This means that having a healthy gut can help with digestion as well as cognitive functions such as mood and sadness. Similarly, the gut-skin axis can influence your skin’s health and look. probioticseverything.comprobiotic culturelle
HOW DO YOU SELECT THE RIGHT PROBIOTIC FOR YOU?
While more research is needed to completely comprehend the advantages of various probiotic strains, we do know that not all probiotics are made equal. Lactobacilli, for example, can be found in fermented foods like yogurt and reside in our digestive, urinary, and genital systems. Bifidobacteria are lactic acid bacteria that live in the intestines and can also be found in fermented foods. probioticseverything.comprobiotic culturelle
“For specific illnesses, you want to make sure you’re taking the strand that’s most likely to benefit you,” says registered dietitian Alex Caspero, MA, RD. Here’s a quick overview to help you figure out which probiotic is right for you. probioticseverything.comprobiotic culturelle
THE BENEFITS OF PROBIOTIC STRAINS
ACNE, VAGINAL HEALTH, DIARRHEA: L. ACIDOPHILUS IS THE BEST PROBIOTIC FOR
One of the most well-known probiotics is Lactobacillus acidophilus. Since the 1920s, when doctors recommended acidophilus milk to cure constipation and diarrhea, consumption has been consistent. probioticseverything.comprobiotic culturelle
These microorganisms are able to colonize the intestine after passing through the stomach. Acidophilus NCFM has a lot of research behind it when it comes to treating vaginal infections. Other studies suggest that it has been shown to help those with lactose intolerance and even lower their risk of colon cancer in humans. probioticseverything.comprobiotic culturelle
However, probiotics can help with more than simply stomach issues. A clinical case series examined 300 patients who were given a probiotic blend of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. They found that 80% of acne patients improved clinically, and that it was especially beneficial in inflammatory acne. Later, an Italian study involving 40 patients discovered that using L. acidophilus and B. bifidum supplements improved acne clinical outcomes as well as antibiotic tolerance and compliance.
BEST PROBIOTIC FOR: ECZEMA L. RHAMNOSUS
L. Rhamnosus is the most widely researched probiotic in both adults and children, with solid evidence that it colonizes the intestine. During travel, gut flora is altered, and good bacteria is killed off by drugs. Rhamnosus GG has been reported to be effective in treating diarrhea caused by various infections. probioticseverything.comprobiotic culturelle
Another fascinating study discovered that this strain may also help to avoid eczema. By the age of four, children of mothers who supplemented with it during childbirth were half as likely to develop atopic eczema as children of mothers who did not.
INFLAMMATION IS THE BEST PROBIOTIC FOR L. PLANTARUM.
L. plantarum can help modulate immunity and inflammation in the gastrointestinal system. According to a 2007 study, the probiotic can reduce the inflammatory response in the stomach. Perhaps most importantly, a four-week double-blind placebo-controlled research found that L. Plantarum 299v gave substantial symptom relief in patients with IBS, particularly for stomach pain and bloating. probioticseverything.comprobiotic culturelle
BEST PROBIOTIC FOR: GI SUPPORT, BRAIN FUNCTION L. CASEI
Studies suggest some potential results with L. casei for digestive support and controlling diarrhea. Supplementation with milk fermented by L. Casei strain DN-114 considerably reduced the incidence of diarrhea, according to one study. probioticseverything.com
L. casei also made headlines after a study discovered it to be helpful in the treatment of anxiety. Supplementing with 24 billion units of the L. casei strain Shirota led to an increase in probiotics lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, as well as a substantial reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms, according to the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial.
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