A probiotic is any living organism that is beneficial to the health of humans. Although this living organism does not have to be bacteria, more often than not, probiotics are bacteria. Apart from being bacteria, probiotics can also be yeasts. Although they are found in various parts of the human body, probiotics are concentrated in the digestive tract.
Probiotics are not drugs. They are supplements and have gained a reputation as one of the trusted supplements for ensuring great digestion.
Why do People Use Probiotics
Probiotics play many roles in the body. They play their roles by simply creating a balance to the levels of microorganisms that exist in the intestine. When present in the intestine, probiotics bring about a major reduction in the number of bad bacteria. Furthermore, they go a long way in creating a boost to the body’s immune system.
While it is yet to be confirmed, there are some proofs that probiotics can come in handy in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. This is in addition to being beneficial in the treatment of colitis, eczema, acne, and diarrhea. That’s not all. Probiotics can be used in preventing diarrhea which occurs when antibiotics are used. Although probiotics can be used in treating various ailments, when used in treating diarrhea that is caused by the use of antibiotics, they are used alongside other antibiotics.
At the moment, research is ongoing to determine how effective probiotics are in the treatment of various kinds of stomach ulcers, allergies, dental diseases, diseases of the liver, and various infections. Although there are speculations that probiotics can be used in treating the conditions above, a lot of work still needs to be carried out to come to a conclusion of how effective probiotics are in treating the conditions above.
Types of Probiotics
There are various types of probiotics that can be seen on this link. Popular among them are yeasts, bifidobacteria, and lactobacilli. The various types of probiotics are known to affect the body in different ways. An example of a probiotic with the formula of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli is the Ideal Immunity probiotic, which addresses how the gut microbiota interacts with the immune system. The implication of this is some probiotics will be effective in the treatment of vaginal infections and diarrhea while some others might not seem ineffective in the treatment of this ailments. Due to this, you might not be able to get the best from the use of probiotics by simply purchasing them and making use of them. Before you go on to make use of a certain probiotic supplement, you will need to speak to a health professional. By doing this, you will be able to ascertain if the probiotic you are about to take is ideal for the condition you are looking to treat.
Probiotics are not Prebiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics have a similar sound. This is one reason lots of people mistake them for each other. Although probiotics and prebiotics work hand in hand, they are not the same. Unlike probiotics which create a balance in the level of microorganisms in the gut, prebiotics are ingredients that are non-digestible. They play a role in helping the probiotics in the gut grow properly. They do this by creating an environment that is suitable for the existence of probiotics. You might find this video about prebiotic superfoods to be interesting if this is something you would like to learn more about.
How Probiotics should be taken
Before going ahead to make use of [probiotics, you must know how they should be taken. You should also know what the ideal dose of probiotics will result in the much-needed benefits.
Now, there are various types of probiotics. This implies that it will be impossible to have a general dose binding the use of probiotics. Due to this, before going ahead to make use of probiotics, you should talk to a medical professional.
There are various ways to get the dose of probiotics that you should use. One of these ways is by the amount of live organisms in them.
In addition to taking the right dose of probiotics, you need to take probiotics the right time if you want to get the best out of making use of them. All things being equal, probiotics are best taken alongside a meal. You could also take probiotics about 30 minutes before eating. Research has it that probiotics function at their optimum when taken together with a meal or when taken 30 minutes before eating. You might not get the best from the use of probiotics if you take them after a meal.
If you have any difficulty keeping proper timing, it is alright if you associate the use of probiotics with an important activity in your schedule.
Are Probiotics Gotten from Natural Foods
Probiotics are usually gotten in the form of supplements. Nonetheless, they can also be gotten from foods. Some foods that are known for providing probiotics are soy drinks, miso, tempeh, sauerkraut, kefir, and yoghurt.
Are There Risks Associated with the Use of Probiotics?
Probiotics might seem perfect. They, however, are associated with some side effects. Some of the side effects associated with the use of probiotics are bloating and intestinal gas. While these side effects begin when one just begins taking probiotics, they begin reducing as an individual’s body gets used to making use of probiotics.
If you notice any side effects after using a probiotic supplement, you might want to reduce the dose of the probiotic supplement you are making use of. Furthermore, you can make use of the probiotic supplements daily to help your body get used to taking them.
In addition to the side effects associated with the use of probiotic supplements, there is also a risk of the probiotic supplement interacting with any drugs you are making use of. Due to this, before going ahead to make use of a probiotic supplement, you will need to let your healthcare professional know of any drug you use. This is very important for those that make use of immunosuppressive drugs or antibiotics.
There is always a risk associated with the use of probiotic supplements by people with diseases that have a major weakening effect on the immune system. If you are dealing with cancer, HIV, intestinal diseases, etc., you should not make use of probiotics without first talking to a healthcare professional.
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