When we hear the term ‘Bacteria’, we instantly turn up our noses, thinking of ways to either get rid of it or avoid contact. Since they have an infamous reputation of causing diseases, if we told you that bacteria do in fact, help build immunity, you may laugh in our faces. Well, it’s true! Research proves that including bacteria, well good bacteria, in doses of millions, everyday, does in fact, help build immunity and strengthen our health. The good bacteria we talk about are called probiotics. Probiotics are microorganisms that help our body fight diseases and improve our digestion.
In the last few years, people have not only become acquainted with probiotics but have also started consuming it in large quantities. Probiotics have proven to be advantageous for many people and prior to getting acknowledged with its benefits, you should first know what it is all about. Many foods contain probiotics in them naturally like yogurt, miso soup, tempeh and more. But, seeing that in today’s fast-paced world, food is usually combined with other activities like working while you eat, commuting between office etc., people do tend to steer towards junk options when it comes to their diet. This leads to insufficient nutrients if any. This is the reason companies have come up with probiotic supplements, containing sufficient microorganisms required to improve your health.
Why Consume Probiotics?
One may wonder how organisms like bacteria and yeast can be helpful in improving your health. Here are a few reasons why Probiotics supplements should be consumed for a long healthy and quality life.
● People with digestion problems can improve their digestive system by consuming probiotics.
● These supplements also aid in strengthening the gut and improving gut flora.
● The presence of Probiotics in your body prevents the growth of fungus, virus or bacteria in abundant quantities.
● Probiotics help in boosting your immune system and maintain your immunity when it comes to fighting harmful foreign substances in the body.
● Probiotics kill the unwanted and uninvited bacteria in your body thereby helping you maintain vaginal health.
● These supplements are also known for Candida and lactose intolerance.
The good bacteria – Probiotics
Some people often get confused between prebiotics and probiotics. There is a very big difference between the two. On one hand prebiotics are fibers that cannot be digested and help in promoting the growth of good bacteria in the body and on the other hand probiotics are the good bacteria which can be digested easily. Naturally occurring bacteria in your body are a contributing factor towards a healthier and better life. If you do not have a proper intake of probiotic-rich food then it is essential that you consume the right probiotic supplements. Finding the right supplement can do wonders for your health. Choosing probiotics supplements can be tough as there are so many companies offering these supplements, which can leave you confused and unable to distinguish between good and bad. Thus, make sure you have your facts right about these supplements and only then buy them.
How to choose Probiotic supplements:
Before you make a trip to the medicine aisle of the supermarket, be warned. There are many companies who sell various types of probiotic supplements. Choosing the best probiotic supplement requires a fair bit of research. A good probiotic supplement should be from the Lactobacillus family and have a good amount of live bacteria. Lactobacillus bacteria are the most beneficial type of good bacteria for the human body. They help balance the body by proving beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract, thus helping in flushing out any toxins from the body and improving the digestive system. This also helps in strengthening the body from the inside by boosting immunity against the bad bacteria.
A good probiotic supplement must contain a good source of nutrient for the bacteria, which helps the bacteria in staying alive, both in the capsule or the dose, and while ingesting it. If the probiotic supplement does not contain the nutrients that keep the bacteria alive, it is no use buying it, as a dead bacteria is of no use to the body. Wondering how you can choose the correct brand for probiotic supplements? Read the ingredients of the various brands on sale in the supermarket and make the decision for yourself, based on facts rather than packaging and hearsay. The ingredients should list the amount of live bacteria in a single dose along with the nutrients mixed with the bacteria to keep them alive.
Make sure that the brand chosen by you uses good bacteria which have not been tampered with in any way. If the bacteria have been altered in any way to make the supplements it will not have any effect on the body. A good probiotic supplement is that, which uses bacteria that are harvested from organic vegetables. Never consider price to be a guiding factor when choosing the probiotic supplements. Cheap supplements usually use bacteria derived from animal fecal sources. It’s better to not have any supplements in your diet everyday instead of choosing cheaper alternatives to probiotics which will only do your body more harm than good.
Lactobacillus bacteria are the best form of probiotic supplements as they provide the body with many positive effects. They help reduce cholesterol and increase assimilation of nutrients in the body. This helps in strengthening the immune system while eliminating any risk of yeast infections as well. Probiotic supplements should help in maintaining the PH levels of the body and also help in balancing the acidity level in the intestine. By reintroducing the healthy bacteria in the body, the amount of bad bacteria deteriorate. This helps in detoxifying the body by flushing out the chemicals prevailing in the processed foods these days. Probiotic supplements also help in the digestion of fats and vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins. By making probiotic supplements a part of your daily diet, you can live a healthy, problem-free life.