March 13, 2018

What is the Deal with Probiotics? Do They Work?

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that when taken in sufficient amounts can provide health benefits. They can help support the bacteria that live within us, especially when our bacteria are challenged, for example by antibiotics, poor diet, or traveling. Scientists define probiotics as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. They are present in numerous foods and dietary supplements.

What About Probiotics In Our Diets?

In our diets, we eat way too many foods with antibiotics like chicken, beef, and dairy products and when someone has an infection the doctor usually prescribes an antibiotic to help kill the bad bacteria. Unfortunately, this destroys our good bacteria that make up our intestinal flora which is part of what makes for a healthy digestive and immune system.

Many people eat yogurt but most of the yogurts are filled with dairy from cows fed with antibiotics and loaded with sugars and other fillers and most if not all of the good bacteria are killed during processing and pasteurization process.

What are the Benefits of Probiotics?

Fight stress
Decrease anxiety
Improve acne
Improve pediatric AD (atopic dermatitis) symptoms
Reduce the need for topical corticosteroids
Lower risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes
Probiotics during pregnancy linked to reduced eczema risk
Prevents C-Diff infection
Reduced abdominal pain
Help manage digestive discomforts
Reduce colic symptoms and eczema in infants
Treat infectious diarrhea
Decrease common infections, including respiratory tract, gut and vaginal tract and more...

Probiotics Can Also Support Health in Different Ways:

Help your immune system function properly
Aid digestion by breaking down some of the food we can’t digest
Keep harmful microorganisms in check
Produce vitamins and aid in nutrient absorption

What Should I Look For When Buying Probiotics?

1. Advanced Delivery System - Not All Probiotics Make It to Your Gut

Sadly, a lot of people take probiotics that only get killed by their stomach acid before making it to the gut. We suggest looking for one with an advanced delivery system. An ideal probiotic would be one that can survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract, establish itself permanently in the small intestine and colon, and provide a specific health benefit for the host by eliciting an immune response.

2. Strain Diversity

Your probiotics must have at least 5 high quality, tested probiotic strains. With over 500 different types of bacteria, research shows some bacteria is better than others. Here are 5 of the most beneficial bacteria to look for in your probiotic:

Lactobacillus acidophilus: fights Candida and is proven to reduce diarrhea, cramps, and gas. It is of most importance that your probiotic supplement has acidophilus in it.

Lactobacillus plantarum: supports the lining of your colon to ensure a healthy gut barrier. Shown to ease constipation and diarrhea and resistant to most antibiotics.

Bifidobacterium bifidum: natural inhabitant of the colon that helps control harmful bacteria, promotes healthy elimination and boosts immune system function. Very very important! This is a must!

Lactobacillus fermentum: builds your immune system and supports the intestinal wall. Even proven to absorb cholesterol. Fermentum is key to keeping your immune system strong and healthy.

Bifidobacterium longum: prevents inflammation-triggering bacteria, helps to ease diarrhea and lactose intolerance.

3. A Money Back Guarantee

It is always nice to know that you're not just throwing your money away.

You don’t want a mono-culture.

Too much of a good thing is possible! Many people take one or two probiotics and never change. This can lead to a monoculture and actually hurt your gut diversity. To prevent this from occurring we recommend eating fermented foods and switching up your probiotics monthly.