The Health Spectrum Of The Microbiome: What Are The Benefits Of Probiotics
I wrote an article titled Mental Health Starts in the Gut, Not the Brain. As you will see, we are just beginning to see how significant our bacterial populations are with our health.
Grains
According to microbiome researcher Jeff Leach Whole grain consumption seems to be associated with high levels of a type of bacteria called prevotella. Prevotella has been associated with inflammation in HIV patients and its been associated with rheumatoid arthritis. We dont know why that is, so the jurys still out on whole grains.
Food Allergies
The peanut allergy rise has currently been blamed on the hygiene theory. Basically, we are too clean and too quick to use antibiotics. Our immune system is not given a chance to be exercised and made stronger and therefore overreacts.
More specifically, evidence points towards poor gut flora as being the cause. One study in the Journal of Immunology found that an extract taken from E. Coli which is a bacteria in our gut and becomes a problem when not kept in check broke down the peanut proteins where the enzymes failed, and practically eliminated the allergenic response. I imagine it is the collective work of many different strains of bacteria that eliminate this response altogether.
About 35% of children with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis have skin symptoms provoked by food hypersensitivity.
Oral Health and Migraines
Cardiovascular Health
Nerve Health
Type 2 Diabetes
Mental Health
Weight Loss
Sleep
How To Choose The Probiotic Supplements
Probiotic supplements are one of the safest, and more convenient way to boost your intestinal microflora count. There is a wide range of probiotics, and choosing the right one might prove a little overwhelming. Which one to buy, which one is the most effective, which one is the easiest to take, and which ones are the most trusted manufacturers?
In many cases the higher CFU count should make a difference, but sometimes the strength of a probiotic is in the specific strain, or the strain combination, or just how many strains the manufacturer has put into his capsule.
All the supplements on our list can be bought over the counter, and most of them can be bought on the Internet, and are relatively safe to use, and permanent side effects are virtually inexistent. That means that there can be some side effects, especially with the high CFU ones, but once we stop taking them the side effect disappear within days, or even hours.
Be aware that a high count capsule is probably not the best option for a beginner. Too many probiotics at once can result in serious side effects, and although these side effects are temporary, you don’t want to go through them.
Should You Keep Your Probiotics In The Fridge
Keeping your yogurt in the fridge is a no-brainer. But is it necessary to keep probiotic supplements in the fridge? Probiotic foods and supplements must be carefully produced and stored to reap the benefits of live microorganisms. Foods or supplements with live probiotics can have a short shelf-life and often require refrigeration. However, not all probiotics supplements require refrigeration. Check the packaging of the supplements you buy for more specific information.
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Tips For Choosing The Best Otc Probiotic
Talk to your veterinarian if you think probiotics might help your dog or cat. Your vet can probably recommend products they are familiar with that have had good results.
One of the key points that you should always remember is that probiotic brands vary in the way the work. More so, different probiotics are suited and work best for different conditions. This is basically why you need substantial amount of information before you purchase.
Well, you have gathered enough information and now you are ready to buy. What should you consider or how should you go about? What are the guides?
Also find out more
Vitauthority Sbo Probiotics + Greens: Best For Inflammation
Vitauthority SBO Probiotics + Greens is a probiotic supplement that may energize and enhance ones digestion and immunity. With regular consumption, this supplement may contribute to the bodys overall metabolism through its composition of organic superfoods.
Vitauthority SBO Probiotics + Greens are U.S.-based, have a cGMP-regulated manufacturing facility, and adhere to international production standards.
Each wellness pill is packed with SBOs that organically may help bowel movement and functional improvement in the abdominal region.
With its nutraceutical goodness composed of non-chemical ingredients, the likes of broccoli, kale, spinach, and organic spirulina, each capsule is bursting with immunity-boosting minerals and multivitamins.
In addition, this supplement may help fight inflammation issues through its antioxidative properties. Therefore, it may revitalize cells of the skin and regulate gut health.
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Best Over The Counter Probiotic Supplements
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not add to your cost or impact our reviews and comparisons.We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program in which we earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice.
These 4 best over the counter probiotic supplements are made up of multiple strains of essential bacteria in a dosage good enough to provide you with results.
We made a research on the ingredient of the popular probiotics from major supplement shops and found the best for a variety of common problems.
When Your Digestive System Works Well Everything Else Feels The Benefit Too
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Complete Probiotic Blend
Scientifically-formulated with 11 robust probiotic strains of bacteria, this powerful blend provides 51 billion colony-forming units of probiotics in every dose.
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NutraFlora® Prebiotic
In simplest terms, prebiotics are food for probiotics. This prebiotic helps nourish bacteria in the capsule to ensure it is alive and well when it arrives in your gut.*
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How Do I Treat Thrush At Home
Home cures: Over-the-counter treatments. Antifungal treatments in the form of ointments or pessaries can be purchased over the counter to treat yeast infections. Boric acid. Vaginal boric acid pills can work for girls with a yeast infection. Tea tree oil. Probiotic supplements. Plain yogurt. Coconut oil. Garlic. Oil of oregano.
Did You Know That Not All Probiotics Work
There is, however, more to formulating an effective probiotic than throwing some strains in a capsule.
For example: A probiotic which does not include an organic simple starch, which some call a prebiotic, almost ensures that the probiotics will have starved to death before reaching you. Including a prebiotic also greatly increases the odds that the probiotic strains in the product will establish a successful colony one that will be able to sustain itself over time.
Keep track of time: Effective probiotics will noticeably begin working within days. Usually you will notice an increase in natural energy and digestive regularity first, with healthy weight changes within two weeks.
With so many brands of probiotics on the market, how can you find the right one? Because every product claims to be the most effective, it can be hard to find the probiotic that best suits your particular needs. Luckily, thats what were here for.
Firstly, this list will ONLY include probiotics which are manufactured in accordance with cGMP guidelines.
If a probiotic was NOT manufactured in clean, regulated conditions, as per cGMP guidelines then in all likelihood it will not only be ineffective but it could be POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS!
There are 3 factors which impact our grade of each probiotic. They are listed and explained below.
CFU this is the total count of all of the bacteria in the probiotic, VERY important because probiotics are ONLY EFFECTIVE IN ADEQUATE AMOUNTS.
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The Best Probiotic Supplements For Adults
Jarrow has been around a long time, and Ive always seen good results from their products. I like the simplicity of it, with strains that have solid research behind them so there are no surprises. It contains a prebiotic and 3.4 billion viable cells of clinically documented strains that have been scientifically shown to have a positive influence on the composition of intestinal microflora.
Floratrex is a unique formula with 23 strains of probiotics , a prebiotic and fulvic acid. Fulvic acid is a component of soil that has a lot of impressive qualities, including improving digestion, increasing nutrient absorption and assisting hydration levels. However, make sure you are not drinking chlorinated tap water with anything that contains fulvic acid because it reacts with chlorine to create carcinogenic compounds. This would be a choice for those needing a stronger formula.
3. Bio-Kult
BioKult became a popular probiotic due to its use by Dr. Campbell-McBride, author of Gut and Psychology Syndrome.
Each strain is microencapsulated and freeze-dried individually which affords their protection through the low acidity of the stomach and allows storage of the finished product under normal room temperature. All Bio-Kult products are guaranteed at the end of the shelf life and undergo full pharmaceutical stability testing in humidity and temperature-controlled facilities.
How To Select And Use Probiotics
Picking the right probiotic is key to treating constipation, as certain strains may not be as effective as others.
Look for supplements that contain the following strains of bacteria, which have been shown to improve stool consistency (
- Lactobacillus reuteri
- Bifidobacterium longum
Although there is no specific recommended dosage for probiotics, most supplements pack 110 billion colony-forming units per serving .
For best results, use them only as directed and consider decreasing your dosage if you experience persistent side effects.
Given that supplements may take several weeks to work, stick to one specific type for 34 weeks to evaluate its effectiveness before switching.
Alternatively, try including a variety of probiotic foods in your diet.
Fermented foods like kimchi, kombucha, kefir, natto, tempeh, and sauerkraut are all rich in beneficial bacteria, as well as plenty of other important nutrients.
summary
Certain strains of probiotics may be more effective than others at treating constipation. Aside from taking supplements, you can eat fermented foods to increase your probiotic intake.
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You Have To Keep This In Mind
Its simply thiseveryone reacts differently to probiotics.
I know, big shocker.
But youd be surprised how many people try out one supplement, dont get the results they want, get angry and give up!
The fact of the matter is, every person on Earth has a unique digestive tract composition.
Even the organisms within each persons body can be vastly different.
All that means is a particular probiotic may work great for me, but not do anything for you.
And what works well for you, might give me uncomfortable side effects.
Its just the way things work.
So if you try a particular brand we recommend, and it doesnt work for you, dont freak out! It could be a crappy product, or it may just not work for your unique situation and body.
Either way, just pick out another one from our list until you find one that works.
Keep in mind youll also want to confer with your doctor or medical provider about all this as well.
Ok so now that we got that out of the way, lets move on to what exactly makes a good probiotic supplement.
The Best Probiotic Supplements For Pregnancy
The research on probiotics during pregnancy has been notoriously conflicting, and there isnt a formula that cant accurately be designed just for pregnancy. It depends on the individuals needs. After reviewing many studies up to 2019 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 here are my conclusions:
If you have a healthy digestive system, I see no reason to supplement with probiotics and you should simply concentrate on fermented foods and prebiotics. Probiotic supplementation may actually disturb an already balanced system.
If you are at risk for gestational diabetes, a formula containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 may reduce the risk.
Those with an autoimmune disorder may benefit from probiotic supplementation and impact the childs immune system in a positive way.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 may prevent preterm birth (caused by preeclampsia, UTIs, other infections, intrauterine growth restriction or idiopathic spontaneous preterm labor. This one is likely the best preventative take since antibiotics do not have a good track record for these issues. This can be found in Fem-dophilus by Jarrow.
If dermatitis runs in the family, probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and infancy helps to prevent atopic dermatitis in children, and a formula with both lactobacillus and bifidobacterium intervention has a better effect. In this case, I would recommend Jarro-Dophilus + FOS.
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Five Tips For Choosing A Probiotic
Another way is to look for these five tips of what a good probiotic product should have on the label . If the probiotic doesnt meet all five criteria, you should just put it back on the shelf and choose another probiotic.
Benefits And Side Effects
These are some of the key benefits of probiotics:
May Aid in the Control and Regulation of Good BacteriaProbiotics may aid in the control and regulation of good bacteria inside the digestive system. Probiotics are live microorganisms and, when taken sufficiently, may help restore the natural gut bacteria balance inside the body, resulting in numerous health benefits. May Assist in the Prevention and Cure of DiarrheaProbiotics may assist in the prevention and cure of diarrhea and other bowel movement irregularities. These supplements can lessen the risks and severity of known digestive disorders like diarrhea and LBM resulting from a multitude of causes. May Help Combat Mental Health ProblemsStudies show that probiotic consumption may help improve certain mental health symptoms like anxiety, depression, memory, and stress, to name a few. Healthy HeartThere are known probiotic strains that help maintain a healthy heart. These supplements aid in protecting the heart from bad LDL cholesterol by reducing its levels and helping lower blood pressure.
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When Will I Feel Something
Everyones body is different, and the benefits you may feel are often just the most visceral ones.
Many people feel results in as a little as 24-48 hours due to localized benefits like digestive health support. Other longer term benefits like cardiovascular health and gut immune function may take longer, or you may not notice anything at all. Thats completely normal. As long as you continue your daily intake, those beneficial microbes are doing their work inside to program, sustain, and enhance your health.
Choose Reliable Probiotic Brands
Some companies have been around for years, and you may know their names. Those that have made probiotics for a while may be more likely to have tested and studied them over and over. It’s smarter to choose a product from a reputable maker. Check a third-party certifier to see if they have tested the product and found that itâs safe and reliable. If you’re in doubt, ask your doctor.
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How To Make The Most Out Of Probiotics
The best way to maximize the use of probiotics is to pay close attention to your scheduled time of supplement intake. According to experts, probiotics with lactobacillus or bifidobacterial strains are best consumed 30 minutes before a scheduled or unscheduled meal, while saccharomyces boulardii can be consumed anytime.
So, it is best to talk to your doctor about scheduling your probiotic supplement intake for you to attain benefits of a maximum degree.
Furthermore, consistency is essential. For optimal probiotic supplement health benefits, it is best to take your supplement daily. Establishing a routine around your scheduled probiotic intake makes it easier to remember. The natural environment for probiotic bacteria is the small and large intestine, where they perform all of their goodness to strengthen your digestion and immune system and assist in many other critical functions.
To make their way there, they need to pass through your stomach, which is very acidic. In fact, the stomach is designed to kill any bad bacteria and viruses that might find their way into your body either through food or water. For the probiotic bacteria, this is bad, as prolonged exposure to stomach acid eventually kills them.
Overall, the most important thing to do when consuming a probiotic supplement is to carefully read the recommended use instructions on the packaging. These will tell you when and how to consume the specific probiotic of your choice.
How To Get Started With Probiotics
Think you want to give probiotics a shot? Here are Dr. Crescis take-aways to help you navigate them:
Probiotics are generally recognized as safe, but theyre typically not recommended if you have a compromised immune system. Ask your physician if probiotics are right for you.
It may take some trial and error to find the probiotic that works for you. If you notice no benefits from one product after a few weeks, try a different one with a different strain of bacteria.
Probiotics may cause bloating and gas, as well as changes in your stool patterns all indications that the product is working, Dr. Cresci says.
Prebiotic foods help your good bacteria flourish. Include beans, asparagus, onions, green bananas and other fermentable fiber sources in your diet.
This article originally appeared in Cleveland Clinic Mens Health Advisor.
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