Fun fact: Did you know that your body’s cells are outnumbered 10 to 1 by bacteria? It’s true – and most of them can be found in your gut. Depending on the type of bacteria, some of them can even keep you healthy!
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are living bacteria found in your digestive tract. They’re responsible for important tasks like absorbing nutrients, producing vitamins B12 and K2, and creating enzymes that kill the “bad” bacteria in your gut.
How Do Probiotics Work?
When it comes to the bacteria in your gut, balance is key. If the ratio of good bacteria to bad bacteria gets out of whack, https://draxe.com/what-are-probiotics/#whatarethedifferenttypesofprobiotics?
Health Benefits of Probiotics
Probiotics are associated with a ton of health benefits.
Tips for Choosing a High Quality Probiotic Supplement
Not all probiotic supplements are equal, so be sure to look for a reputable supplement brand with good customer reviews. When choosing a probiotic supplement, be sure to consult a licensed medical professional to review your options. Here’s a few things you’ll want to consider:
Make sure there’s a high CFU count. Generally speaking, adults should shoot for a minimum of 10-20 billion CFUs (colony forming units).
Choose live and active cultures. By choosing a supplement made of live an active cultures, you’re getting the most bang for your buck. If the cultures aren’t live and active, there’s a chance the bacteria was harmed in the production process.
Take survivability into account. A high quality probiotic supplement will have a specific formula that ensures the probiotics safely make the trip to your gut and colonize. Choosing a shelf-stable probiotic is essential because certain probiotic strains require cooler temperatures in order to survive.
Choose the right strain(s) for you. Remember that different probiotic strains do different things. For example, if your chief complaint is constipation, you’ll want to be sure your supplement contains bacillus coagulans . That being said, if you’re struggling with bloating, choose a supplement containing lactobacillus plantarum .
Check for prebiotics. A high quality probiotic supplement will also contain prebiotics. This is because the bacteria in your gut needs prebiotics to colonize and thrive.
What you can do TODAY to Optimize Gut Health
Eat a variety of real foods. Making sure that your diet consists or a variety of real foods like vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, nuts, and seeds is essential for optimizing your gut health.
Take a high quality probiotic that meets your specific needs. While taking a probiotic can enhance your gut health – don’t grab just any probiotic off the shelf. Make sure that you consult a licensed health professional to ensure you’re getting the correct strain and dosage for your needs.
Don’t forget about prebiotics. Getting in a good dose of prebiotics, a type of soluble fiber, will help you feed the good bacteria in your gut. This means eating foods like garlic, onions, sweet potatoes, etc.