Is Probiotics Good For You

Reduce The Severity Of Certain Allergies And Eczema

The gut houses the majority of the immune system, which is directly related to allergies. Keeping the digestive tract healthy has been of interest in helping relieve allergies and skin conditions like eczema.

In many studies that used the probiotic strains of Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium among adults, positive effects have been shown, including reductions in symptoms and in the prevalence of eczema.

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• Eczema and the Gut Microbiome

Who Should Consider Taking Probiotics:

Due to their numerous health benefits, you should take probiotics through diet or supplements. Although probiotics are beneficial for all age groups, it is mandatory to consume them for some people. Some of them are:

• Older adults, because they have a weak immune system.
• Children, to reduce the risk of diarrhea and infections.
• People who are having digestive problems such as diarrhea and constipation.

Health Benefits Of Probiotics

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Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be consumed through fermented foods or supplements .

More and more studies show that the balance or imbalance of bacteria in your digestive system is linked to overall health and disease.

Probiotics promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria and have been linked to a wide range of health benefits.

These include benefits for weight loss, digestive health, immune function and more (

This is an overview of the key health benefits linked to probiotics.

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The Truth About Probiotics

These incredible bacteria have multiple health benefits. By replenishing the bacteria we shed due to toxins like antibiotics, we strengthen our digestive system and immunity. Probiotics are extremely safe and effective. They are in everything from yogurts to fermented beverages like kefir and kombucha. However, this influx of bacteria can have a negative effect in certain individuals. You should avoid probiotics if youre experiencing any of the following:

Benefits For The Immune System

Up to 70% of the bodys immune cells are found in the gut. Keeping the gut healthy is key to keeping the immune system functioning normally.

Specific probiotics have been shown to improve the immune response. For example, the probiotic strain Bifidobacteria infantis has been shown to increase T regulatory cells. These cells help prevent autoimmune diseases and can help limit chronic inflammation diseases.

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To Refrigerate Or Not

Some strains need to be kept in the fridge and some dont. Some need to be taken with food and some dont. When you purchase your probiotics, ask these particulars. HMF products need to be kept refrigerated as well as taken with food.

Fermented foods are great for your gut but don’t replace a good probiotic.

When Should Someone Not Take Probiotics

Probiotics are some of the safest natural supplements available, and have very few contraindications. There are a few groups of people who we recommend exercise a degree of caution when they are considering supplementation with live cultures, an example of which is people who are immunosuppressed , and people with dark blood in their stools. Under these circumstances, it would be wise to seek the advice of a GP before considering probiotic supplementation. In fact if ever in doubt, always speak to your doctor about any health supplements. For more information see our contraindications FAQ.

With regards to medications and natural remedies, there are no known contraindications. The only point to take in to account here is if a supplement has antibacterial or anti-fungal properties. If it does, like garlic for example, then it is recommended that you take the probiotic at least a couple of hours either side of the other supplement, so as not to damage the bacteria. But with regards to safety, probiotics can be taken alongside all natural remedies without any problem.

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Do Probiotics Have Side Effects

Probiotics may increase bloating, gas, or a change in bowel movements depending on the strain and your personal response to it.

Nearly everyone can take probiotics, but if you have a digestive disorder such as celiac disease, talk to a doctor first. Also, check ingredients on the label if you have a food or drug allergy to minimize your risk of a reaction.

Should I Take Probiotics: The Conclusion

The two studies in combination showed that probiotics might not be as beneficial as previously believed and in some cases might actually be harmful to the gut. Though this research is far from conclusive on probiotics as a whole, it may be the beginning of a turn away from probiotics use or in the direction of targeted probiotic use.

It is important to note that the data from these studies is not conclusive about probiotics. Probiotics may still hold a lot of health benefits but it is obvious that more research is still needed to figure out exactly how best they can be used and which ones work best for whom. If the studies point to one thing it is that, The benefits of the standard probiotics we all take cant be as universal as we once thought. These results highlight the role of the gut microbiome in driving very specific clinical differences between people, says Eran Segal, a computational biologist at the Weizmann Institute and author of the first study.

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How Might Probiotics Work

Probiotics may have a variety of effects in the body, and different probiotics may act in different ways.

Probiotics might:

• Help your body maintain a healthy community of microorganisms or help your bodyâs community of microorganisms return to a healthy condition after being disturbed
• Produce substances that have desirable effects
• Influence your bodyâs immune response.

Reduce Gas And Bloating

Gas and bloating are common digestive problems. Possible reasons for gas and bloating include an imbalance in your gut microbiome, yeast overgrowth, and food intolerances. It can also be a sign of a more serious condition such as an IBS. Probiotic supplements can help rebalance the gut microbiome and even help crowd out bad bacteria.

Some evidence suggests that probiotics may help reduce these symptoms, especially in people with digestive disorders like IBS.

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How Are Probiotics Regulated In The United States

Government regulation of probiotics in the United States is complex. Depending on a probiotic productâs intended use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration might regulate it as a dietary supplement, a food ingredient, or a drug.

Many probiotics are sold as dietary supplements, which donât require FDA approval before they are marketed. Dietary supplement labels may make claims about how the product affects the structure or function of the body without FDA approval, but they arenât allowed to make health claims, such as saying the supplement lowers your risk of getting a disease, without the FDAâs consent.

If a probiotic is going to be marketed as a drug for treatment of a disease or disorder, it has to meet stricter requirements. It must be proven safe and effective for its intended use through clinical trials and be approved by the FDA before it can be sold.

Signs Your Probiotics Aren’t Working Is It Time To Switch

You’re using probiotics to fix your digestive issues. Should you stop using them or switch to another option if your existing probiotics don’t generate any improvement after a few days?

Probiotics and multivitamins may take some time before they start showing any benefits. Several factors may affect the performance of these health boosters. Probiotics and vitamins follow similar timelines for effectiveness. For more information on how long vitamins take to work, read here.

Some signs help you determine whether it’s time to switch your probiotics:

• You don’t experience any change in your symptoms of poor gut health after four weeks
• You start experiencing side effects including gas, bloating, and headaches

In some cases, you may experience beneficial side effects of using probiotics. They’re signs your body is adapting to the probiotics you’re using.

These side effects may include flatulence, mild bloating, and more frequent bowel movements. It’s a sign that your body is removing unhealthy bacteria.

These side effects may last for almost a week. If they don’t disappear after a full week has passed, you should quit taking the supplements and consult a doctor.

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Probiotics And Immune Health:

Your immune health defines your overall well-being. It is your first defense line against harmful and toxic substances that enter your body daily. Probiotics have a promising role in making your immune system strong and healthy. They increase the level of beneficial bacteria in your body. They effectively fight against pathogens. Thus, reducing the risk of several diseases and infections .

What Are Probiotic Foods

You can consume probiotics from fermented foods and drinks and dairy products . Look for at least five strains of live and active cultures on the ingredients list, but skip the more processed foods that claim to contain probiotics, like sugary beverages or even candy. Unsweetened Greek yogurt has the benefit of providing both a variety of cultures and filling protein.

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The Side Effects Of Probiotics

Probiotics are safe for those who are healthy. If side effects occur, they are usually mild digestive issues, like gas. Just like before starting any new drug or supplement, you should talk to your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic. This advice is especially important for those with suppressed immune systems. Serious complications, like infections, have been reported in some people.

Probiotics Help Balance The Friendly Bacteria In Your Digestive System

Probiotics include good bacteria. These are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed .

These benefits are thought to result from the ability of probiotics to restore the natural balance of gut bacteria .

An imbalance means there are too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria. It can happen due to illness, medication such as antibiotics, poor diet and more.

Consequences can include digestive issues, allergies, mental health problems, obesity and more .

Probiotics are usually found in fermented foods or taken as supplements. Whats more, they appear to be safe for most people.

Bottom Line:

Probiotics are live microorganisms. When taken in sufficient amounts, they can help restore the natural balance of gut bacteria. As a result, health benefits may follow.

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Health Benefits Of Probiotics:

Probiotics give you multiple health benefits. They are instrumental in making your immune system strong. They help treat or prevent major six health issues, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, atopic dermatitis, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, and pediatric acute infectious diarrhea.

What Are Probiotics Anyway

So, you know that probiotics are good for you, but do you actually know what they are? Probiotics are live bacteria that exist in the gut. Contrary to what you might think upon hearing bacteria, probiotics are actually very beneficial and help regulate your microbiome. Put more simply, probiotics help regulate digestion. Read more about what they are and how they work here!

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Benefits Of Probiotics For Gut Health

The digestive system is home to many different kinds of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and more.

Probiotics can help stimulate the growth of good bacteria while also protecting against disease-causing bacteria. Together, this mix of microorganisms is known as the gut microbiota or gut microbiome, and it plays a key role in the health of the human body.

Can I Use Probiotics To Help With Medical Conditions

There is currently a large amount of research happening around the idea of what probiotics can do for your body. Even though there are a lot of possibly positive outcomes, researchers are still working to find definitive answers about how probiotics can help with various conditions.

However, there are some medical conditions where probiotics may help. This can vary between people meaning that what works for one person may not work for another. These can also vary based on the certain probiotic that is taken.

Some of the conditions that might be helped by increasing the amount of probiotics in your body include:

• Upper respiratory infections .
• .

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Should I Try Probiotics

If you are interested in adding probiotics to your diet, its worth a conversation with your healthcare provider. Many providers may suggest giving them a try to see if they help with your general health. It is important to remember that not all probiotics behave the same way and have the same effects. Each has their own individual benefits. They generally dont cause harm. One easy way to start can be by simply introducing probiotic-rich foods into your diet, like yogurt.

Before you start any supplements, make sure you talk to your healthcare provider. Your provider may be able to point you in the right direction, helping you figure out the best probiotic to take, how much to take and when to take it. A conversation is always worth the time when it concerns your health.

Why Are Probiotics Good For You

So why are probiotics good for you? There are many ways a probiotic supplementation can improve digestive health. Probiotics support your gut health in the following ways:

• Probiotics may increase the abundance of good bacteria in your gut When your gut has an abundance of beneficial bacteria, it has an easier time fulfilling its important functions, like helping to digest your food. You can think of these good gut bacteria as little soldiers that fight on your behalf to ensure optimal health and wellbeing. The more robust your microbiota-militia, the better.

• Probiotics may push out some of the harmful bacteria in your gut While many bacteria in your gut are beneficial, others are not so friendly. If left unchecked, harmful bacteria can overtake your gut microbiota and cause a condition known as dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is associated with a slew of health problems, including:

• Bloating
• Asthma
• Anxiety and depression

Fortunately, probiotics strengthen your internal microbiota-militia. In turn, they may help you recover from dysbiosis and its associated conditions.

• Probiotics may improve the bacterial diversity within your gut microbiota In addition to having an abundance of good bacteria in your gut, you also want a healthy variety of different strains. Thats because different bacterial strains perform different roles within your body. With more specialized strains in your gut microbiotas rank, your body can function at its best.

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Probiotics And Gut Health

The best case for probiotic therapy has been in the treatment of diarrhea. Controlled trials have shown that Lactobacillus GG can shorten the course of infectious diarrhea in infants and children . Although studies are limited and data are inconsistent, two large reviews, taken together, suggest that probiotics reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 60%, when compared with a placebo.

More common than diarrhea is the opposite problem constipation. In a search for studies on the benefits of probiotics in treating constipation, researchers found that probiotics slowed “gut transit time” by 12.4 hours, increases the number of weekly bowel movements by 1.3, and helped to soften stools, making them easier to pass. But the jury is still out on specific recommendations when it comes to the benefits of

Probiotic therapy may also help people with Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Clinical trial results are mixed, but several small studies suggest that certain probiotics may help maintain remission of ulcerative colitis and prevent relapse of Crohn’s disease and the recurrence of pouchitis . Because these disorders are so frustrating to treat, many people are giving probiotics a try before all the evidence is in for the particular strains they’re using. More research is needed to find out which strains work best for what conditions.

Is It Ok To Take Probiotics Every Day

A common question about probiotics is whether it is ok to take probiotic supplements every day. Whilst there may be a few exceptions to this rule, the general answer is yes, it’s safe, and usually recommended, to take them daily.

It’s important to understand that probiotics are a natural supplement and not a medicine. They are best used at breakfast time as part of a daily health regime, rather than as a ‘quick fix’ option. There are also some situations where certain strains can be taken for a short time, such as alongside antibiotics. Fermented foods containing live cultures have been part of traditional diets in many different ethnic groups for centuries. Learn more by reading about our 5 favourite fermented foods. People have been consuming probiotics for generations in foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir and kombucha , but it has only been more recently that we have been able to consume specific strains for specific purposes, in easy-to-take capsules, powders, or kids’ gummies.

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Can Probiotics Be Harmful

• Probiotics have an extensive history of apparently safe use, particularly in healthy people. However, few studies have looked at the safety of probiotics in detail, so thereâs a lack of solid information on the frequency and severity of side effects.
• The risk of harmful effects from probiotics is greater in people with severe illnesses or compromised immune systems. When probiotics are being considered for high-risk individuals, such as premature infants or seriously ill hospital patients, the potential risks of probiotics should be carefully weighed against their benefits.
• Possible harmful effects of probiotics include infections, production of harmful substances by the probiotic microorganisms, and transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from probiotic microorganisms to other microorganisms in the digestive tract.
• Some probiotic products have been reported to contain microorganisms other than those listed on the label. In some instances, these contaminants may pose serious health risks.