What Are Probiotics? The Health Benefits of Probiotics

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria responsible in part for the moderation and modulation of the digestive system. They reproduce to the tune of trillions inside your body as they help regulate your holistic and integrative health. You can introduce more into your system by eating fermented foods, drinking kefir or kombucha, or taking a dietary supplement.

A systematic review of data indicates probiotics help regulate and balance levels of good and bad bacteria in your digestive system, but the exact methodology for how this occurs remains opaque.

Still, many health-care providers and gastroenterology professionals see promise in further studying these gut microbiota, as they correlate to health improvements on a variety of different levels. Seek medical advice from a trusted physician about how you can introduce a probiotic supplement into your system.

Probiotics seem to have a positive effect on everything from bloating to urinary tract infections and ulcerative colitis. While medical professionals still need to run more randomized controlled trials to determine why they have this impact, it seems apparent these healthy bacteria can improve people’s health in a multitude of different ways.

Aside from their positive impact on gut health, probiotics also appear to help boost the immune system, calm skin conditions like eczema, and improve mental health due to their positive impact on the gut-brain connection.

Different strains of probiotics have different effects on the digestive system. These are just a few types of bacteria worth knowing about:

1. 1. Bifidobacterium lactis: This probiotic strain might prove especially useful for those incapable of consuming lactose. The compounds in this bacteria calm the stomachs of people who have a hard time digesting dairy.
2. 2. Lactobacillus acidophilus: This subgroup of the Lactobacillus order of bacteria can help fight yeast infections and other gut issues. They counteract the effect of bad bacteria while mitigating additional health concerns, too.
3. 3. Lactobacillus rhamnosus: According to one study, this probiotic supplement seemed to improve people’s weight loss capabilities. At the same time they lost weight, the gut bacteria in their digestive tract began to take on a more balanced composition.
4. 4. Saccharomyces boulardii: People use this strain of probiotics to counteract the effects of traveler’s diarrhea and constipation. By fighting harmful bacteria in the intestines, these microbes return a sense of stability to the gut microbiome.

While there’s still a lot to learn about probiotics, there’s plenty of evidence available to suggest they have a positive effect on people’s health. Learn more about the health effects and potential benefits of introducing these gut microbiota into your diet:

• Better gut health: Improved gastrointestinal health is perhaps the premier selling point when it comes to probiotics. Due to the close connection between the gut and brain, using probiotics to stabilize your stomach and intestines can come with the side effect of improved mental health as well.
• Immune system support: A healthy gut microbiome correlates to a stronger immune system. For instance, you’ll have an easier time fighting off a respiratory infection if you take probiotics on a regular basis. In addition, you will also run a lower risk of developing chronic diseases like IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or IBD (inflammatory bowel disease).
• Increased heart health: Certain studies show the introduction of these live microorganisms into your diet can have a positive effect on heart health conditions. They correlate with improved blood pressure regulation and lower levels of bad cholesterol.
• Potential disease prevention: Taking probiotic supplements or eating probiotic-rich foods can help prevent the development of health problems, particularly in regard to the digestive system. These bacteria seem to have an ability to fight issues ranging from constipation to Crohn’s disease.

There are numerous different probiotic sources of which you can take advantage. Here are a few of the ways you can put these microbes to good use:

• Consider pairing probiotics with prebiotics. While probiotics are live bacteria, prebiotics are supplements capable of helping your body lay the groundwork to produce its own probiotics. Some companies sell synbiotics, which are supplements that include both probiotics and prebiotics.
• Eat probiotic-rich foods. Fermented foods make for excellent probiotic food sources. Try eating sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh, or dairy products like yogurt to add more probiotics into your system. Drinks like kefir contain probiotics, too.
• Take probiotic supplements. Most health stores carry several types of probiotic supplements. Keep in mind the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t run clinical trials or on products like these, nor does it verify their efficacy and safety. Consult a medical professional to learn whether it would be a good idea for you to try any specific type of store-bought nutritional supplement.

Functional foods are whole or fortified fare that can potentially provide health benefits when you consume them as part of a regular diet. Since these foods do not yet have a legal definition, it’s crucial that consumers research any claims related to nutritional value and consult an accredited nutritionist or dietician before incorporating new foods into their diets. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for nutritional advice from a trained professional.

See food like you have never seen it before. With the MasterClass Annual Membership, journalist and educator Michael Pollan teaches you how to determine your ingredient sources, shop at the grocery store, and rethink your relationship to food.