We usually think of bacteria as disease causing agents, but on the contrary, probiotics also known as ‘good’ or ‘gut-friendly’ bacteria can help cure a wide variety of ailments.
Probiotics hold the key for better digestive health and a stronger immune system. It helps treating dermatological disorders like acne and healing your mental and emotional health. They offer an effective cure against cancer too!
Read on to discover the surprising health benefits of probiotics.
Probiotics: What They Are And How To Take Them?
If you are not familiar with probiotics, probiotics are cultures of ‘good bacteria’ that help ensure a good balance of intestinal flora. However, the term can also be used when talking about fermented foods, as they also contain good bacteria. If you are taking a probiotic supplement, it is best to take it on an empty stomach when you wake up in the morning or before bed. Probiotics that are taken after a meal have difficulty surviving stomach acid levels as this is when your stomach acid is at its highest.
Probiotics: Your Gut Friendly Bacteria
Bacterial imbalance causes digestive disorders, fatigue, weight gain, cravings and a host of other problems. The good bacteria found in fermented foods and probiotics, can be taken to help balance the digestive tract and ease related issues. Miso, sauerkraut, tempeh, kefir and yogurt are fermented foods you can take to eliminate the bad bacteria.
Why Probiotics Should Be Part Of Your Daily Diet
Probiotics (live microbes) in miso and yogurt refill good gut bacteria to aid digestion, weight loss, and give support to UTI patients. If the gut’s harmed by fatty, sugary food or bad bacteria, output of neurochemicals and vitamins needed for brain function goes down, leading to autoimmune diseases (IBS) and brain disorders (Alzheimer’s). Probiotics, mostly of the genera Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, ensure gut health.
Can Probiotics That Nourish Your Gut Also Boost Immunity?
Probiotics can help with the immune system by competing with pathogenic microorganisms on binding sites of mucosal surfaces (mouths, nose, throat, and gastrointestinal tract). They have been shown to produce small amounts of vitamin K, B vitamins, and chemicals that inactivate or even kill some pathogens, thus stimulating the body’s immune response.
Can Probiotics Help Treat Acne?
In conditions such as atopic dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, the redness and bumps are due to the body’s immune response to the infection-causing bacteria. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that patients with acne and rosacea talk to their skin specialist about having natural probiotics like yogurt in their diets or taking probiotics as supplements.
Can Probiotics And Prebiotics Help Prevent Cancer?
Probiotics and prebiotics can help prevent cancer, especially colorectal cancer, from developing by inactivating carcinogenic compounds, competing with the pathogens microbiota, and altering microflora of the intestine. They also help improve your body’s overall immune response. Probiotics also regulate cell differentiation and apoptosis, preventing the proliferation of tumorous cells.
Do Probiotics Improve Mental And Emotional Health?
Probiotics modulate and balance gut microbiota, protect the intestinal barrier, reduce oxidative stress, inflammation and produce beneficial neurochemicals. Through the gut-brain axis, they influence brain activity in emotional centers, improve mood, reduce anxiety, depression and stress. Traditional fermented foods are excellent sources of probiotics.
5 Amazing Benefits Of Probiotics While Breastfeeding
Probiotics increase the immuno-protective potential of breast milk helping fight Atopic Eczema and enable the infant’s digestive system to mature faster, improve bowel movements and prevent constipation. They regulate good bacteria helping fight fungal infections like thrush. A healthy brain-gut connection helps prevent Autism, ADHD and mood disorders in kids.
