Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are healthy for your overall health but especially good for your digestive system. Bacteria is often associated with skin disorders like acne or more severe diseases. But microorganisms can be good or bad. Probiotics are good guys that dwell naturally in your body and help fight off nasty bacteria that might harm your health. Probiotics are part of the microbiome, a community of microorganisms that includes fungus, viruses, protozoa, and, as we’ve seen, bacteria. The microbiome is vital for immunity, digestion, and heart health. Probiotic supplements are extensively utilized due to their possible health advantages. Probiotics are found in foods like yogurt and kimchi and may also be present in medications. You may not need to supplement if you eat a variety of probiotics. If you do decide to increase, do it under the guidance of a licensed dietitian or physician.
Probiotics Sources
Probiotics can be found in two prominent fermented foods: yogurt and cheese. Here is a list of foods with a great source of good bacteria:
- Japanese miso
- Sauerkraut
- Kefir
- Kombucha
- Sourdough
- Kimchi
Prebiotics
Probiotics are not to be confused with prebiotics, which are dietary fibers that feed probiotics and other beneficial microorganisms. Non-fermented foods like legumes, cabbage, cereals, maize, and sorghum contain probiotic microorganisms. These foods are prebiotics. Probiotics “eat” prebiotics. They help probiotics grow and populate and may also improve gut health and calcium absorption. Probiotics can be found in unusual places, including breastfed foremilk (colostrum) and your gastrointestinal tract. In addition, probiotics are not only found in the gut of humans but also in the gut of marine/freshwater fish, pigs, pets and some poultry.
Probiotic Characteristics
Probiotic microbiomes must have the following characteristics:
- Hardiness: Probiotics must be able to withstand low pH in the stomach or gastric secretions.
- Post-digestive survival requires bile acid and stomach acid resistance
- Antimicrobial properties: Probiotics should be able to fight fungus and bacteria.
Most human probiotics are extracted from dairy or non-dairy sources, such as fermented foods. Therefore, their isolation from the human body is also possible. Probiotics must be safe for humans to benefit from their health advantages.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics primarily benefit the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, and anus. On the other hand, probiotics target bacteria in the colon to improve and preserve health. Unfortunately, how probiotics work in the body is unknown. They can enhance the body’s immunity against harmful invaders and help the body fight off invaders. Probiotics also have anti-inflammatory properties and help manage the body’s response to pain.
Many probiotic foods also include prebiotics. This is because probiotics “eat” prebiotics. They help probiotics grow and populate, which aids the improvements of gut health and calcium absorption. Bacillus prebiotics is present in foods like bananas and whole grains.
Control the Immune System
Probiotics modulate the immune system in many ways. Probiotics can boost T-cell activity and stop harmful bacteria from entering the intestine by blocking access to the protective coating or barrier. They also boost the intestine’s protective layer and trigger an anti-inflammatory response when confronted by harmful invaders.
Improve Symptoms of IBS
Irritable bowel syndrome causes diarrhea, cramping, gas, and constipation. Food sensitivity, brain-gut connections, and bacterial overgrowth have all been linked to this disorder. Probiotics have anti-bacterial characteristics that can guard against IBS-causing germs. They also help protect the intestinal barrier from harmful invaders. In addition, probiotics may help IBS sufferers’ regular bowel motions.
Children’s Atopic Dermatitis
Probiotics can help control atopic dermatitis (an itchy skin inflammation that commonly affects youngsters). They can also help prevent atopic dermatitis in the infant during pregnancy. Probiotics may help skin heal after the dermatitis-induced rash. They also speed up skin tissue turnover. This promotes the appearance of fresher skin. This bacteria’s immune-boosting properties can help lessen the severity of atopic dermatitis.
Diarrhea from Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used to prevent or treat bacterial infections that might cause diarrhea. This is because antibiotics disrupt the microbiomes in the colon, causing excessive fluid build-up. Intestinal fluid build-up promotes diarrhea, and microbiome alteration may raise the risk of infection from other pathogens. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea can be reduced by some probiotic strains for people over 65, who are at a higher risk of developing this illness.
Obesity Control
Probiotics may help with weight loss. For example, some probiotic strains have been demonstrated to prevent weight gain in rats when fed a high-fat diet. Probiotics may induce a significant decrease in body weight and body fat in people if taken consistently for weeks or months. Probiotics manipulate intestinal microbes, allowing this. They may or may not help with weight loss, but probiotics alone will not result in weight loss.
Probiotic Side Effects
Although, there are the many potential benefits of probiotics, the safety of probiotic supplementation is unknown. There have been occasional cases of fungemia (yeast or fungi in the blood) and bacteremia (the presence of bacteria in the blood). In addition, probiotic use may potentially cause cardiac tissue inflammation. Therefore, probiotics should also be avoided if you have a severe illness, have just undergone surgery, or have a damaged immune system. Probiotics are available as nutritional supplements, drugs, and culinary ingredients. However, most probiotics are offered as dietary supplements, which are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Check with your doctor before taking a supplement like probiotics. Because different probiotic strains perform various activities in the body, the type you need may vary.
Kim’s Final Thoughts….
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help you live a healthier life. They support digestive, health immunity and may even protect against specific skin ailments. Even better, this bacterium is found in fermented foods and is naturally found in some bodily regions. Probiotic dietary supplements are also easily available. Consult your doctor or registered dietician before taking supplements.
