What Are Probiotics & Your Microbiome
When most people think of bacteria, they tend to associate it with dirt and germs. Bacteria = a cold, food poisoning, or worse. But thats a rather incomplete rendition of the total bacterial picture.
Many bacteria are good bacteria and are crucial for your overall health.
Your body naturally contains both types of bacteria: good bacteria and bad bacteria . These microorganisms live on your skin and in your mouth, nose, throat, eyes, bladder and genitals. They also colonize your gut, and live together in a delicate balance, forming whats known as your gut microbiome
To achieve optimal gut health, beneficial bacteria have to be present in greater quantities than your bad bacteria. When this occurs, your gut microbiome will be functioning at its healthiest prime, boosting your immune system and contributing to your overall health.
When your gut microbiome is out of balance, the bad bacteria will outnumber the good bacteria. This imbalance, known as dysbiosis, can occur in one of two ways outlined next.
Probiotics And Vaginal Health
Probiotics may also be of use in maintaining urogenital health. Like the intestinal tract, the vagina is a finely balanced ecosystem. The dominant Lactobacilli strains normally make it too acidic for harmful microorganisms to survive. But the system can be thrown out of balance by a number of factors, including antibiotics, spermicides, and birth control pills. Probiotic treatment that restores the balance of microflora may be helpful for such common female urogenital problems as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, and urinary tract infection.
Many women eat yogurt or insert it into the vagina to treat recurring yeast infections, a “folk” remedy for which medical science offers limited support. Oral and vaginal administration of Lactobacilli may help in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis, although there isn’t enough evidence yet to recommend it over conventional approaches. Probiotic treatment of urinary tract infections is under study.
Probiotics are generally considered safe they’re already present in a normal digestive system although there’s a theoretical risk for people with impaired immune function. Be sure the ingredients are clearly marked on the label and familiar to you or your health provider. There’s no way to judge the safety of unidentified mixtures.
Yakult Benefits For Skin
According to a study published in the World Journal of Dermatology, there is a direct relationship between intestinal bacteria and skin health. Research shows a close relation between intestinal dysbiosis and skin conditions. Therefore, for healthy skin, we need good bacteria in our intestines. Since Yakult has probiotics, it helps manage rosacea, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. All these skin conditions are related to decreased gut diversity. Moreover, since Yakult does not contain fat or cholesterol, it also reduces the chances of getting acne.
According to research conducted on a group of young women, intaking probiotics regularly for some time helps in making the skin clear.
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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 .
- .
Probiotics Can Help Reduce Symptoms Of Certain Digestive Disorders
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.
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The 17 Best Probiotic Drinks We’re Sipping On In 2022
You probably know that kombucha is good for gut health and digestion, but when it comes to the why, the answer is pretty simple: probiotics. These bacteria help maintain a balanced gut microbiome, which supports gastrointestinal health and function.* Bonus: a healthy gut can then enhance everything from skin health to mood and more.
But in fact, kombucha is only one of the many types of probiotic drinks you can enjoy. There are a number of beverages that, through some type of fermentation or another method, contain probiotics. We took a look at the options available and rounded up this list of favorites. Read on to find out which probiotic drinks can support a happy and healthy gut.
Can You Drink Actimel When Taking Antibiotics
WASHINGTON – A yogurt drink containing good bacteria helped patients avoid the diarrhea caused by antibiotics, British researchers reported on Friday. People who drank Actimel, made by French food group Danone, were able to leave the hospital sooner, the researchers said in the British Medical Journal.
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What Probiotic Drinks Can
Probiotics can’t…
Work digestive miracles in minutes. If you’re hoping that chugging a probiotic drink will help you “detox” after a particularly indulgent weekend or “clean your system” so you feel more regular, know that taking any kind of probiotic won’t produce an immediate bowel movement like taking a laxative would, Palinski-Wade says. “However, over a period of time, regular consumption can help to improve regularity, decrease GI bloat, and combat constipation,” she says.
Probiotics can
Be a great complement to your fitness routine. If you’re regularly following a strenuous training routine, you could be suppressing your immune system and making your body more susceptible to infection. Since probiotics can help to strengthen the immune system, consuming them regularly can benefit athletes and avid exercisers alike, says Palinski-Wade.
Foods That Boost Your Gut Health Naturally
Ideally, you should aim to include a range of prebiotic, probiotic and fibrous foods in your diet. This is likely to be cheaper than relying on supplements too.
As the image below shows, prebiotic foods include apples, bananas, onion, asparagus and leeks, while easy sources of probiotics are yoghurt and fermented foods.
Variety is key, but make sure you introduce food that you are unfamiliar with gradually to avoid any side effects.
Dont forget the fibre either: its not as trendy as some of the newer gut health products, but most of us could do with adding more fibre to our diet. Good sources are fruit and veg, beans and pulses, and whole grains.
Its thought that we need to consume around 30g of fibre per day, but the average Brit consumes an estimated 18g a day.
There is strong evidence that eating lots of fibre lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, bowel cancer and more.
It also helps you feel fuller for longer, and can aid digestion and in preventing constipation. Many fibrous foods are also prebiotic, making these choices a win-win for digestive health
Thanks to Dr Simon Gaisford, Dr Samantha Gill, Dr Megan Rossi and Priya Tew for their contributions to this article.
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Why Drink Yakult & Yakult Light
You may not think about your digestive system when you think about your overall well-being, but thats where good health and proper nutrition begins. From children to the elderly, good digestion is important as around 70% of our overall immunity lies there. So, a healthy digestive system is the key to good health and longevity. Yakult and Yakult Light is a delicious probiotic fermented milk drink that contains Yakults exclusive probiotic Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota .
Yakult Light contains less sugar and calories owing to the use of a sweetener of natural origin, Steviol Glycoside making it suitable for people of all age above one year. The sugar in Yakult Light has been reduced to cater to the needs of the health conscious and elderly. It also contains Vitamin D and Vitamin E for an added health benefit.
LcS was discovered by Dr. Minoru Shirota, a Japanese scientist in 1930. It has more than 80 years of scientific research and a history of consumption in 40 countries and regions including India to back its safety and efficacy. It is scientifically proven to:
Is It Safe To Take Probiotics Daily
For healthy individuals, probiotics have a long history of being safe and beneficial to use daily. Thats because most probiotic supplements typically use the same microbes that already exist naturally in the human gut.
The risk is greater for people with severe medical conditions or who are immunocompromised as supplementation. If you have a severe medical condition or are immunocompromised, please consult with your healthcare practitioner before you start using a probiotic supplement.
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Probiotics And Gut Health: What You Should Know
Kefir, kimchi, kombucha supermarket shelves are filling with so-called gut-friendly probiotic products. But can they really transform your health, or are you just flushing money down the drain?
Probiotic foods and supplements can be pricey, and it’s hard to cut through the clever marketing and know what’s worth buying, and what’s best left on the shelf.
Weve consulted leading gut health experts to untangle what the evidence says about common gut health products, and what simple steps you can take to look after your gut health.
Why Probiotic Drinks Are Everywhere
According to a recent Beverage Industry report, probiotic drinks and other “functional beverages” are the hottest bottled beverages to claim space in your grocer’s refrigerator section. Labels often claim benefits like “detoxifying” and “energy-boosting.”
While the FDA hasn’t approved any health claims for any probiotics, and these “good bacteria” aren’t considered essential to our diet, probiotics have become important in maintaining a healthful gut and stronger immunity, says Jackie Newgent, R.D.N., C.D.N., author of The With or Without Meat Cookbook. “Probiotics help maintain the natural balance of organisms in our intestines and can help treat and potentially prevent GI issues, such as diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and those resulting from antibiotic treatment,” she says.
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What Has Science Shown About The Effectiveness Of Probiotics For Health Conditions
A great deal of research has been done on probiotics, but much remains to be learned about whether theyâre helpful and safe for various health conditions.
Probiotics have shown promise for a variety of health purposes, including prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea , prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis and in premature infants, treatment of infant colic, treatment of periodontal disease, and induction or maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis.
However, in most instances, we still donât know which probiotics are helpful and which are not. We also donât know how much of the probiotic people would have to take or who would be most likely to benefit. Even for the conditions that have been studied the most, researchers are still working toward finding the answers to these questions.
The following sections summarize the research on probiotics for some of the conditions for which theyâve been studied.
May Help In Weight Loss
If you are looking to lose weight, probiotic drinks may help you stay on track. These beverages are better for you than beer, juice, or soda. Some drinks, like kombucha, are lower in sugar and calories than those bottled sweet teas and beverages. For the most part, many people grab a probiotic drink to help with their gut health. Losing weight is just an added benefit.
Learn More: How Many Probiotic Drinks Should You Take Per Day
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Benefits For The Mind And Brain
Gut health is about more than just digestion. Scientific evidence shows that the gut and the brain stand in constant communication with each other. You may have noticed this connection when your stomach drops or you have a gut feeling. This gut-brain axis influences many mental health conditions.
More research shows the important role that gastrointestinal health plays in improving mood and supporting focus and memory.
You May Experience Less Constipation
According to Morgyn Clair, RD, a registered dietitian nutritionist with Sprint Kitchen, one of the top benefits of taking probiotics is that they help your body break down and metabolize nutrients in the intestines more efficiently. As a result, they may promote regular bowel movements and reduce unpleasant GI problems like constipation and diarrhea. Specifically, Dr. Axe says the species of Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium tend to be most helpful in this regard.
2017 research suggested that probiotic supplements can help cure antibiotic-associated diarrhea, while another study revealed that probiotics containing Bifidobacterium slowed “gut transit time,” thus increasing participants’ number of weekly bowel movements while softening stools, making them easier to pass.
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Is Yakult Good For Weight Loss
As per research, probiotics release appetite-regulating hormones in the body that reduces the chances of overeating and thus, facilitate weight loss. Probiotics also have proteins that regulate fats in the body. Another animal study also suggests that LcS has anti-obesity effects.
Moreover, probiotics help prevent constipation and improve overall digestive health. This facilitates weight management. Therefore, Yakult can be good for weight loss.
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Prebiotics For General Health
Ongoing research has shown that prebiotics may provide health benefits to the general population. These benefits include improved calcium absorption, decreases in allergy risk, improved immune system defense, and other positive effects on metabolism.
Research is ongoing to understand the full effects of these foods on gut health, metabolism, and certain diseases. But not all nutrition experts are able to confirm that consuming functional foods or prebiotics will necessarily boost specific health outcomes.
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How Do You Know If Probiotics Are Working
Signs Your Probiotics Are Working
When you take a high-quality probiotic supplement, you may notice several positive changes in your body, ranging from improved digestion and more energy, to improved mood and clearer skin. Oftentimes, the first and most immediate change individuals notice is improved digestion.
They Help Attain Bacterial Balance In The Gut
One of the most powerful benefits of probiotic drinks is that they contain microorganisms that can help return the balance of bacteria in your gut to a healthy equilibrium.
When you experience a bacterial infection, it is because there is an excess of bad bacteria in your gut. Drinking probiotics introduces good bacteria into your gut which helps the naturally occurring good bacteria in your gut fight off the harmful bacteria.
Aside from infection, another common cause of harmful bacterial imbalances in your gut is taking antibiotics. Often antibiotics work by killing off the bacteria in your gut that is causing infection.
However, antibiotics usually do not discriminate between good and bad bacteria and therefore end up killing a lot of good bacteria as well. For this reason, it is a good idea to drink lots of probiotic drinks while youre taking antibiotics to give the good bacteria in your gut a boost.
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What Are Probiotics And How Do They Work
Probiotics are living organisms that are found naturally in foods such as yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso and kefir. They are known as good or friendly bacteria as they compete for space and food against harmful bacteria and prevent them from settling in the gut.
Check out the top 10 probiotic foods to support your gut health.
They May Lead To Uncomfortable Digestive Symptoms
While uncommon, the most frequently reported side effect of taking bacteria-based probiotic supplements is a short-term increase in gas and bloating. Probiotics that are yeast-based can cause constipation and increased thirst as well. These side effects usually go away after a few weeks of continued use of probiotics. If gas or bloating continues for more than two weeks, discontinue taking your probiotic supplement and consult your physician.
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Can Probiotics Hurt Me
For most healthy people, probiotics dont cause any harm. They are generally considered safe and are often given a try to see if they could help with various medical conditions. Theres a lot of research around the topic of probiotics. Scientists are trying to determine when and how they should be used, as well as how effective they are. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic supplement because there are some cases where you shouldnt be taking them. Its always best to have the conversation first before starting a new supplement.
Probiotic Tea: Everything You Need To Know
In this post, well answer all your questions about probiotic tea, including whats in it and how it can support both the digestive system and immune health.
Green, black, oolong, peppermint, chamomile We are a society of tea drinkers! And thats a good thing, not just for our taste buds, but for our overall health.
Tea lovers, particularly in eastern cultures, have been touting the benefits of tea for centuries, from health benefits such as allergy relief, reduced headaches, and improved sleep, to emotional benefits such as lower stress levels. And with so many varieties of tea to choose from, almost everyone can find a flavorand resultto enjoy.
Concurrently, as consumers have been tuning into the importance of gut health and probiotics, market demand for probiotic teas has increased.
But what exactly is probiotic tea, and how does it benefit your overall health?
Below, well answer all your questions about probiotic tea, including whats in it and how it can support both the digestive system and immune health.
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