Probiotics have been gathering significant attention in the world of health and wellness. They are crucial for our overall health, particularly the digestive system. There’s so much to know about probiotics that we've put together this thorough guide to shed light on them, explore the vast array of probiotic benefits and help you to seamlessly weave them into your everyday routine.
Understanding probiotics
At its core, probiotics are living microorganisms beneficial to our health. They are a diverse group of "good" bacteria and yeasts that live in our bodies and help to maintain a healthy balance in our gut microbiome. They can be grown in a laboratory and made into pills, powders or other goods.
Probiotics also occur naturally in fermented foods and beverages. Probiotics work as peacekeepers in the gut, helping to restore equilibrium and improve general well-being. Scientists are discovering that manipulating the microbial balance in the gut through probiotics offers a new approach to maintaining good health.
Adopting a probiotic diet
A probiotic diet involves the integration of foods that are bursting with gut-loving bacteria. Consuming fermented foods such as yoghurt, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut and kefir can help increase the diversity and number of beneficial bacteria in your gut, contributing significantly to overall gut health.
Exploring the benefits of probiotics
We have a balance of 'good' and 'bad' bacteria in our digestive tract. When this is maintained, our gut flora thrives, assisting in effective digestion and nutritional absorption.
Probiotics boost this beneficial gut flora by not only increasing the amount of 'good' bacteria but by also suppressing the growth of bad bacteria, helping to maintain this balance.
Antibiotics, illnesses and certain lifestyle choices can disrupt the bacterial balance in our gut, resulting in a decrease in helpful bacteria. Probiotics help to restore this balance by repopulating the gut with these beneficial bacteria.
The immune system is our body's first line of defence against potential harmful invaders. By maintaining a healthy balance of gut bacteria, probiotics can strengthen our immune system. They can stimulate the production of natural antibodies and increase the number of immune cells like T lymphocytes and natural killer cells, enhancing our overall immune response.
Probiotics aid in the digestion of certain foods, particularly fibre, which the body cannot naturally digest on its own. As a result, they aid in digestion, reducing symptoms such as bloating, cramps and constipation.
By breaking down food components, particularly complex carbohydrates, probiotics may help our bodies extract and absorb more nutrients from the food we consume. This can lead to better energy levels, improved mental clarity and a healthier immune system.
Some probiotics may help with weight management by influencing how our systems process and store fat. It is thought the probiotics might also reduce weight by reducing inflammation that comes from a substance in the gut called lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The reduced inflammation in the gut leads to better insulin sensitivity, allowing us to feel fuller for longer periods of time, lessen our appetite and even reduce the amount of calories we receive from food.
IBS can be a distressing condition, with symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Probiotics can help regulate these symptoms by improving gut function, reducing inflammation and restoring the balance of gut bacteria, which can be disrupted by IBS.
Meeting your probiotic needs
In our bustling lives, preparing and consuming gut-friendly meals might not always be feasible. Supplements can bridge this gap, providing a concentrated source of probiotics to ensure your body receives its required dose of these beneficial microorganisms.
If you decide to take a probiotic supplement, here's how to get the most out of it:
- Follow storage guidelines — Probiotic supplements often have specific storage instructions; some might require refrigeration.
- Include dairy — Consuming probiotics with food, particularly dairy products, helps protect the bacteria as they navigate through your stomach. Dairy neutralises stomach acid and bile acid, increasing the chances of probiotics reaching the intestines intact.
- Choose your brand wisely — Look for trusted brands that promise and deliver high-quality products to make sure you reap the benefits of probiotics.
- Be patient — It takes time for probiotic levels to build up in your system, so don't expect instant results. If you're taking them for gastrointestinal issues, it could take up to three weeks before noticing improvements.
If you choose to leverage the benefits of probiotic supplements, it is best to look for ones that contain a potent mix of probiotics to support your gut health in the most holistic way possible.
Partnering with Australian NaturalCare for your wellness journey
Since 1989, Australian NaturalCare has been dedicated to caring for Australians' health by providing top-notch vitamins, supplements, superfoods and more for daily living. As the leading direct supplier of vitamins and supplements online in Australia, our commitment is to accompany and support you on your journey towards optimum health.
To make your wellness journey a little sweeter, we have some fantastic offers for our valued customers. You receive a complimentary gift for orders over $90 and a special discount for orders worth $150 and above. That means you get to enjoy the benefits of our world-class supplements and save while you’re at it.
With Australian NaturalCare as your partner, meeting your nutritional and probiotic needs becomes less of a challenge. We're committed to delivering the finest, most reliable health products, no matter how busy life can get.
With Australian NaturalCare, you're taking a confident step to Live Well Every Day.
