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Purpose Of Taking A Probiotic

They Have Skin Benefits*

Understanding Probiotics

Probiotics don’t just work wondersinside your body they can actually affect the outside as well.*

“You have bacteria on your skin and all over your body. Probiotics on the skin affect the microbiome that’s present on your skin, as opposed to the one in your gut,” says integrative medicine expert Amy Shah, M.D.

In this case, both oral and topical probiotics can help,* but are certainly not one and the same.

How Probiotics Might Be Bad For You

Because these good bacteria already exist in the body, theyâre considered safe for most people. But there are some things to consider.

They can trigger an allergic reaction. They might cause mild stomach problems, especially the first few days you start taking them. You might have stomach upset, gas, diarrhea, or bloating. Those symptoms usually go away after your body gets used to them.

If you have an immune system problem or another serious health condition, you may have a greater chance of issues. Some reports have linked probiotics to serious infections and other side effects. The people most likely to have trouble are those with immune system problems, people who’ve had surgery, and others who are critically ill. Don’t take probiotics if you have any of those issues.

Always talk to your pediatrician before giving probiotic supplements to your child. If you’re pregnant or nursing, you should also talk to your doctor before you try one.

Most probiotics in the U.S. are sold as dietary supplements. That means the companies that make them don’t have to test their products and show that they work or that they are safe. More research is needed to confirm that probiotics are safe and effective.

Ask your doctor which probiotics are the right ones for you. Be sure to stop taking them if you have any problems.

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Where Do You Find Probiotics

Fermented or cultured dairy products are a major source of probiotics. Other sources of probiotics include

  • fermented milk.

The bacteria either occur naturally in these foods or have been added during preparation. Probiotics are also available as dietary supplements in capsule, tablet or powder-form.

Here are the most common strains of probiotics:

  • Lactobacillus acidophilus
  • Enterococcus faecium
  • Saccharomyces boulardii.

Bifidus regularis, a name created for marketing purposes by Dannon, is also known as Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010. This strain of probiotics is used exclusively in Dannon’s popular Activia products, which Dannon claims promote regularity.

Keep in mind that in order for a yogurt to be considered probiotic, it must contain one of the strains listed above. All yogurts are required to be treated with the strains Lactobacillus bulgaricusand Streptococcus thermophilus.

Food marketers have found a new niche with probiotic-containing foods, which include

  • Probiotic cereal
  • infant formula.

However, their claims may be based only on preliminary scientific findings.

More research is needed to see whether probiotic bacterias’ beneficial effects are the same when they’re treated or added to food products. Dried probiotics may survive a trip through the intestines if prepared and stored properly. Heat often kills live active cultures.

Read Also: Can Probiotics Help With Reflux In Babies

How Safe Are Probiotics

Because microbes used as probiotics already exist naturally in your body, probiotic foods and supplements are generally considered safe. They may trigger allergic reactions, and may also cause mild stomach upset, diarrhea, or flatulence and bloating for the first few days after starting to take them.

There are certain people who need to use caution when using probiotic supplements. There is a risk of infection in some people. These people include those who have:

  • A weakened immune system .
  • A critical illness.

Caution should also be used when giving probiotics to very sick infants.

Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic supplement.

Why Probiotics Matter So Much

How Long Does It Take Probiotics to Work?

After dissecting and inspecting the various key strains that may be in your probiotic supplements, it is easy to see why they, particularly those discussed above, are crucial for your overall health.

Their long list of health benefits doesnt stop there, though prebiotics and probiotic supplements play a vital role in almost every system in the body to strengthen, enhance, and extend the quality of your life. These benefits include:

1. Helping the good and bad bacteria in your body stay balanced to ensure your body is functioning at its very best

2. Working to replace good bacteria that may be lost for whatever reason, such as when you take an antibiotic

3. Ensuring that food moves properly through your gut and breaking down food into nutrients your body can use for energy, cell repair, and growth

4. Promoting mineral absorption from the foods you eat, particularly iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and other minerals that are crucial for bone health

5. Helping to metabolize and break down body wastes by attaching to the wall of the intestines and dislodging any accumulated decay before flushing it out of your body

6. Giving your immune system a boost to stop the growth of harmful gut bacteria and possibly promoting the production of natural antibodies in the body, such as IgA-producing cells, natural killer cells, and T lymphocytes

7. Killing oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and decrease the effects of gingivitis

Recommended Reading: What Probiotic Is Best For C Diff

Probiotics For Women: What Are The Benefits

A gut health expert explains why probiotics for women are important

Consuming probiotics can be beneficial for most people, but probiotics for women may hold a special importance.

Women are two to six times more likely to experience irritable bowel syndrome than men, with inflammatory bowel disease being diagnosed at a rate of 2:1 in women compared with men. With this in mind, it may be more pressing for women to worry about their gut health and do everything they can to keep their internal microbiome diverse and functioning well.

As well as the gut microbiome we all have, women have a vaginal microbiome, which also requires a delicate balance to remain healthy and functioning properly. Some probiotics are specifically designed to support vaginal health and fertility, as well as general immunity and gut health.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about the best probiotics, and their particular importance for women. And if you’re more interested to know how probiotics can affect men’s health, read about the six benefits of probiotics for men. Plus, if you’re looking for extra dietary support, check out our guide to the best protein powder for women, to help you build lean muscle and maintain a healthy weight.

The Benefits Of Probiotics Bacteria

In a society of anti-bacterial warfare, who would have thought that anyone would tout the benefits of bacteria? Living microorganisms found in yogurt and other cultured foods may help improve your body’s bacterial environment inside and out. They’re called probiotics, a name that means “for life.”

More and more people are using probiotic products to treat or improve illnesses or to maintain overall well-being. In fact, a 2017 report estimated annual global sales of probiotic supplements at $3.7 billion in 2016, and that is expected to rise to $17.4 billion by 2027.

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Should I Give Probiotics To My Kids

Probiotics can be beneficial for both adults and kids. If your child has an illness that requires an antibiotic medication for treatment, taking a probiotic can help shorten symptoms. Probiotics can also be used to help relieve constipation, acid reflux, diarrhea, gas and eczema in children.

Introducing probiotics into your childs diet through food is typically a safe way to give them probiotics. Foods like yogurt and cottage cheese are often part of a balanced diet and can add in good bacteria without much risk.

There are commercially available probiotic supplements specifically designed for infants and children. However, it is important to talk to your childs pediatrician before giving them any probiotic supplement or changing the childs diet to include probiotic-rich foods.

Issues To Be Aware Of

Probiotics Benefits Myths | Improve Gut Health | Doctor Mike

If you’re considering trying probiotics, there are a few issues you need to be aware of.

Probiotics are generally classed as food rather than medicine, which means they don’t go through the rigorous testing medicines do.

Because of the way probiotics are regulated, we can’t always be sure that:

  • the product actually contains the bacteria stated on the food label
  • the product contains enough bacteria to have an effect
  • the bacteria are able to survive long enough to reach your gut

There are many different types of probiotics that may have different effects on the body, and little is known about which types are best.

You may find a particular type of probiotic helps with one problem. But this doesn’t mean it’ll help other problems, or that other types of probiotic will work just as well.

And there’s likely to be a huge difference between the pharmaceutical-grade probiotics that show promise in clinical trials and the yoghurts and supplements sold in shops.

Page last reviewed: 27 November 2018 Next review due: 27 November 2021

Also Check: How To Make Homemade Probiotics For Chickens

Help With Certain Mental Health Conditions

Microbiota composition changes are related to depression and anxiety. This may be because 95 percent of the neurotransmitter serotonin, the feel-good hormone, is produced by the bacteria in the gut.

One study found that after 30 days of supplementing with the probiotic strains Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacteria longum, healthy participants had less anxiety and depression.

Can I Get Probiotics From Food

You can absolutely increase beneficial microbes in your body from the foods you eat. Certain foods have probiotics in them and can benefit the health of your microbiome.

These foods can be introduced into your diet at any point of the day. You may even be regularly eating them now and not realize that they contain probiotics. You will want to check the food label for live and active cultures. A few suggestions for just some of the probiotic-rich foods you can add to your diet and some times to try them include:

For breakfast, try:

Probiotic supplements may be combined with a prebiotic. Prebiotics are complex carbohydrates that feed the microorganisms in your gut. Basically, prebiotics are the food source for the good bacteria. They help feed the good bacteria and keep it healthy. Prebiotics include inulin, pectin and resistant starches.

When you have a supplement that combines a probiotic and prebiotic, its called a synbiotic.

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You Suffer From Skin Conditions Such As Acne And Psoriasis

Flushing waste from your body helps you maintain clear, healthy-looking skin, which is why digestive problems are commonly linked to skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, hives, and rashes. If youre having problems managing one or more skin conditions, and topical remedies arent working, you may need to work on clearing your skin from the inside out with help from probiotics.

Autism, Candida, and yeast infections are cited as other common health problems linked to poor gut health. If you think you may need probiotics, talk to your doctor about nutrition therapy using probiotics, or try our Suprema Dophilus a high potency probiotic that contains five billion viable cells per capsule with eight different probiotic strains. This probiotic formula helps support long-term digestive health and may help reduce symptoms of related conditions.

Looking for high-quality vitamins and supplements to help you meet your health goals? Visit the Garcia Weight Loss & Wellness Centers online store to view our selection of diet supplements, easy exchange foods, and skin care formulated with natural mineral and botanical ingredients.

Medically reviewed by Jay J. Garcia, MD on January 1, 2018

How To Use Them Safely

IBS &  Probiotics: Should I Take Them?

The FDA regulates probiotics like foods, not like medications. Unlike drug companies, makers of probiotic supplements don’t have to show their products are safe or that they work.

Ask your doctor if taking probiotics is a good idea for you. In general, probiotic foods and supplements are thought to be safe for most people, though some people with immune system problems or other serious health conditions shouldn’t take them.

In some cases, mild side effects might include an upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, and bloating for the first couple of days after you start taking them. They may also trigger allergic reactions. Stop taking them and talk to your doctor if you have problems.

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Probiotics 60 Billion Cfu

Probiotics are generally considered safe . Probiotics can also communicate with some medications. Please consult your doctor prior to beginning any brand-new supplement. In addition to the safety of active components, our component security score assesses all non-active components for potential health dangers based on clinical literature and the Center for Science in the Public Interests safety ranking of food additives.

There are presently no recognized dosages set for probiotic intake. The U.S. Scientific Guide to Probiotic Products provide suggested effective amounts of particular strains for treating particular health conditions, such as constipation or IBS. To factor strain-specific advantages into our efficacy score, we referenced the info in these guides. Products were rewarded for consisting of strains on these lists.

In cases where products did not list strain-specific amounts, or their noted pressures were not included in these guides, total determined CFUs were compared to a general efficiency limit of 1 billion CFUs pointed out by research study released in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition . Sources AEP. . Medical Guide to Probiotic Products Available in the US: 2017 Edition why do you need chitosanase in probiotic supplement.

Probiotic Supplements For Womens Health

While these foods can be good choices, unfortunately, it can be nearly impossible to get all the probiotics you need just from your food for three reasons: theres really no way to tell exactly which strains are in your foods, whether they are strains that work well together, or how much of them you are actually getting into your body. For example, youd have to eat A LOT of yogurt to ensure you are getting enough colony-forming units to be truly beneficial.

This is why probiotic supplements are so important. I developed Probiotic Capsules 30 Billion for maintenance and 100 Billion for rebuilding when youre taking antibiotics, battling Candida overgrowth, or under a lot of stress.

They both contain 14 live strains that I carefully selected to work together. I combined these strains in amounts that are actually therapeutic theyre not simply included as fillers because theyre inexpensive, as happens with so many other companys supplements. And my probiotics are guaranteed to maintain their full potency until their expiration date. Thats because I overload my product extra CFUs to ensure, at the very least, you receive the labeled quantity of active probiotics, whether your order the 30 billion or 100 billion. Many other companies only promise potency as of the day of manufacture and dont take the extra step to ensure youre truly getting the labeled quantity of active probiotics.

Read Also: What Is The Best Probiotic Supplement

Benefits Of Taking Probiotics

Not all probiotics are the same. Different strains of the bacteria have different effects. For example, one strain may fight against cavity-causing organisms in our mouths and dont need to survive a trip through our guts.

Research has been promising for these friendly critters. Potential benefits of probiotics have been seen in the treatment or prevention of

  • eczema in children.

Probiotics Can Help Reduce Symptoms Of Certain Digestive Disorders

9 Signs You Need To Take Probiotics

Over one million people in the US suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease .

Certain types of probiotics from the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains have improved symptoms in people with mild ulcerative colitis .

Surprisingly, one study found that supplementing with the probiotic E. coli Nissle was just as effective as drugs in maintaining remission in people with ulcerative colitis (

31 ).

Nevertheless, probiotics may have benefits for other bowel disorders. Early research suggests they may help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome .

They have also been shown to reduce the risk of severe necrotizing enterocolitis by 50%. This is a fatal bowel condition that occurs in premature infants .

Bottom Line:

Probiotics may help reduce the symptoms of bowel disorders like ulcerative colitis, IBS and necrotizing enterocolitis.

Recommended Reading: Can Probiotics Help With Uti

Can Probiotics Cause Side Effects In Children

Because probiotics are not regulated or tested by the Food and Drug Administration , it’s unclear if they cause side effects like gas, constipation or diarrhea. If your child begins to have these issues after they start taking probiotics, you should stop the probiotics to see if the symptoms go away.

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.

Also Check: Does Stomach Acid Kill Probiotics

How Do They Work

Researchers are trying to figure out exactly how probiotics work. Some of the ways they may keep you healthy:

  • When you lose “good” bacteria in your body, for example after you take antibiotics, probiotics can help replace them.
  • They can help balance your “good” and “bad” bacteria to keep your body working the way it should.

Should I Try Probiotics

How to choose the best 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.

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