Believe it or not, digestive health has a vast influence on our well-being. It affects our immune system, brain function, body weight, and overall health. So many factors influence gut health, and there are plenty of ways to create a strong gut.
Did you know that our gut microbiome forms as early as three years old, and we must do our best to take care of it as the years go by?
One of the easiest ways to work towards building a strong microbiome is to take a daily probiotic. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are intended to have health benefits when consumed. They can be found in yogurt (label will specify), other fermented foods, and as a supplement. Many of the microorganisms in probiotic products are the same as or similar to microorganisms that naturally live in our bodies.
As we transition between seasons and move into a more structured routine with work and back-to-school, I wanted to bring up probiotics as an immunity-boosting addition to your routine. While there is no guarantee on the exact effect of taking one, it could help, and evidence has demonstrated many health benefits.
Probiotics may have a variety of effects on the body.
- Help your body maintain a healthy community of microorganisms
- Assist the body’s gut microbiome to return to a healthy condition after being disturbed
- Influence your body’s immune response
When should you consider taking a probiotic?
- If you have been prescribed an antibiotic
- If you are traveling to a foreign country (specifically where you are advised not to drink the water)
- If you experience IBS, IBD, or gastrointestinal issues
- If you experience any al dermatitis or eczema
What to look for in a probiotic?
- Colony-forming units/bacterial strains used (the number of bacteria per dose). This means the number of bacterial cells you’ll get in each dose. Typically, the recommendation is to choose probiotic products with at least 1 billion colony-forming units containing the Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Bacillus, or Saccharomyces boulardii.
How your probiotics need to be stored.
- Many require refrigeration, so consider a probiotic-lined with a food source, such as inulin, to help it remain viable while sitting on the shelf.