Probiotics are often something you hear about when you begin a new diet or a healthier routine, and although term probiotic sounds almost medical, it is something everyone can take daily for a better digestive system. But what are probiotics and how do they benefit us?
The Definition
A Probiotic is live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your internal system. When the words germs and bacteria are used, they are usually associated with negative impacts to the body that can be harmful. However, your body is full of both good and bad bacteria, and probiotic tablets are also known as helpful bacteria.
Where Can You Find Them?
They can be found in supplements such as probiotic capsules and some foods. Yoghurt is one of the best sources to find natural probiotics in, the majority of health yoghurt heavily advertise their benefits and brands like Yakult and Actimel both play on the bacteria and healthy germs feature of their product. There are also other foods to consider if yoghurt doesn’t fit into your diet which include sauerkraut, pickles, tempeh (soybeans) and kimchi. These offer a suitable amount of probiotics but don’t match up to the benefits of certain yoghurts.
How do Probiotics Work?
Researchers have been studying how probiotics work precisely in the body for years, and there are some proven ways that probiotics have shown their benefits:
- If you are taking antibiotics from a long period and don’t require them anymore, probiotics have been proven to replace the antibiotics in a healthy, natural way, so your body still receives the benefits.
- They help to add balance if your body had too many harmful bacteria’s. Probiotics restore the levels so you can have a good, natural digestive system.
- They offer you a natural energy source like a multi-vitamin.
- They help food move through your gut in a healthy manner, which is primarily done through nerves that control your stomachs movement.
Effects of Health Problems
Naturally, it’s always advised to seek professional advice from a medical centre, but probiotics have been proven to help some medical issues people suffer from. Irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and diarrhoea for different reasons can be controls with the right levels of probiotics in your system.
Internal health is the main benefit of using probiotics, but they have also proven to help other conditions people can struggle with. Skin conditions like eczema, urinary health, daily allergies like a cold and even oral health have all shown benefits when probiotics are added to a diet.