We all know that how we eat and live has an impact on our life. But do we know what it is doing to our gut? Modern life causes chaos when it comes to our intestinal health. Our bodies consist of trillions and trillions of cells, and many of these are bacteria, both good and bad. Because of this push and pull between the good and bad, it’s easy for things to get out of balance. But how do you know if your gut is out of balance? When should you take a probiotic and what is the best probiotic to buy? Below we summarise everything you need to know about probiotics.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are the “good” bacteria in our gut. They contribute to an overall happy and healthy environment. You can up your normal intake of probiotics by consuming certain things such as:
- Yoghurt
- Sauerkraut, kimchi and other fermented foods
- Dietary supplements
Do I need a probiotic?
If you are trying to lose weight or if you suffer from digestive issues such as bloating or excess flatulence then probiotics may be of benefit to you. Damage to intestinal health is one of the main reasons why you might take a probiotic. This can be caused by a wide range of factors including:
- Antibiotics
- Alcohol
- Stress
- Bloating and gastric reflux
- Shattered villi
What is the best probiotic?
If you’re looking to buy a probiotic supplement, these days, there really are so many on the market to choose from. Firstly, there are general probiotics which can provide all-round health benefits. But then you also have a range of other probiotics which target specific health conditions such as:
- Probiotics for diarrhoea
- Probiotics for improving IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) symptoms
- Probiotics for women’s health
For information on how to choose the best probiotic supplement, check out this article from Healthline.
If your gut does get out of balance, the damage over the long-term can cause both vitamin and mineral deficiencies and even intestinal permeability (also known as Leaky Gut Syndrome.
For more information on probiotics or how you can support a healthy gut with a healthy lifestyle and diet, get in touch with one of our Personal Health Educators today.
Read next: Gut Microbiome: Ultimate Guide to How to Improve Your Gut Health
