Probiotics are the “friendly” bacteria that are found naturally in the body and can also be found in food supplements. Probiotics are living micro-organisms that are known to offer many health benefits, particularly in digestion and to aid the immune system, by balancing the levels of micro-organisms in the intestines and reducing the amount of harmful bacteria.
Probiotics may fight infection as well as lower cholesterol and deal with skin conditions such as acne and eczema. There are many different types of probiotics with more than 400 different strains of “good” bacteria in the body, mostly in the digestive tract, and each has a different effect on the body. The most common strains of beneficial bacteria are Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria and these are also the ones most often found naturally in foods and in dietary probiotic supplements.
Our lifestyles can have a negative effect on the beneficial bacteria present in the body. For example, a poor diet, stress and environmental factors can play a part, while stress is also known to reduce the amount of “good” bacteria we have.
Improving your diet is one way to replenish the beneficial bacteria in your body and ensure your gut stays in prime condition: cream, yoghurt and cottage cheese that contain live cultures are best, along with sauerkraut, miso and apples.
One of the most effective ways devised recently is through dietary supplements, usually yoghurt-based drinks or in capsule form.
As the probiotics each do different things, it’s essential to choose a supplement that suits your needs. For example, women who suffer vaginal yeast infections need to find a probiotic with the specific strain that can treat that infection. Different infections and conditions, such as digestive issues, need the right probiotic combination to be effective.
Ensure also that the supplement you take contains enough bacteria to make a difference.
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