You have probably heard of probiotics, even if you don’t yet know exactly what it means. Probiotics are finally gaining attention as bacteria that live in the gut and are beneficial to the health of the entire human organism.
They act, mainly, when the intestine is unbalanced, which can happen for various reasons, including poor diet and the use of medications such as antibiotics. In these situations, probiotics are able to rebalance the intestinal microbiota, improving the immune system and the functioning of the metabolism.
In this way, they prevent the growth of unhealthy bacteria. In this way, probiotics are able to contribute to the digestive system not suffering from colonization by disease-causing agents, as well as increasing the absorption of nutrients.
What are the main advantages of using probiotics?
Furthermore, the benefits we have mentioned, there are also some special advantages related to the use of probiotics that are worth pointing out. They act, for example, as allies in the fight against intestinal inflammation, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and urinary diseases.
In addition, probiotics also contribute to the digestion of lactose, especially in people who suffer from lactose intolerance. They are also able to improve mood in cases where there is a link between mental health problems and an imbalance in the microbiota.
Finally, probiotics are able to prevent problems such as high cholesterol, obesity, and hypertension, as well as acting to prevent food intolerances and allergies.
Where can probiotics be found?
There are several ways to ingest probiotics to increase the effect of these good bacteria on our body. First of all, there are the natural foods that contain these bacteria, such as natural yogurt, which seems to be the most well-known and affordable source currently on the market.
it is important to say that probiotics can also be found in Kefir, a Yogurt like drink that is made from fermented products of bacteria and yeast. This drink has an even higher content of probiotics than yogurt itself.
Other interesting sources of probiotics are fermented milk, soy-based products, and also Kombucha, a beverage made from fermented tea. In smaller percentages, probiotics are present in nutritional yeast, Chucrut, pickles, and even some types of cheese.
Food supplements with probiotics
In addition to food, another way to obtain probiotics is from food supplements, either in the form of liquids, sachets, or even capsules. These can be prescribed by nutritionists or endocrinologists, if they judge that supplementation is beneficial to the patient.
Supplements can contain several types of probiotics, among them Bifidobacterium animalis, suitable for strengthening immunity and improving digestion. Another common type is bifidobacterium bifidum, which helps in the digestion of dairy products. There is also bifidobacterium breve, which is efficient in fighting bacteria and fungi.
When consumed in supplements, probiotics generate even more intense and rapid benefits, since, in these cases, they are prepared especially for those who need development of the intestinal flora.
How to consume?
For those using supplements,
It is important to follow the recommendation made by the brand of the product or the health professional who indicated its use. For those who want to ingest the probiotics in their own diet, there are basic recommendations to be followed.
The main one refers to the importance of consuming at least one probiotic source a day, maintaining this pattern regularly. Once this is done, in about five days it is already possible to notice a clear improvement in the intestinal flora.
Due to all these benefits, probiotics are recommended at all stages of life. Children, too, precisely because they are still developing their microbiota, can benefit greatly from them, because they are less susceptible to imbalances in the body and to some diseases.
The elderly, in turn, can and should also benefit from the use of probiotic. By consuming these bacteria, it is possible to strengthen the body’s overall immunity and also ensure an improvement in the gastrointestinal system, which tends to be more sensitive during this stage of life.
In all cases, the orientation for supplementation or increasing the probiotic sources in the daily diet is to talk to a doctor or nutritionist you trust. These professionals will be able to indicate the best way to consume these good bacteria.
