Our digestive system is the key to our overall health and well being. Many of today’s current health problems can be traced to an unhealthy digestive system. There are several reasons a digestive system can become unhealthy and it is not very hard to turn an unhealthy digestive system into a healthy one and using probiotics is the main answer. Here is how and why probiotics are important for good health.
Probiotics are actually microorganisms and bacteria. Most think of probiotics as just yogurt, but probiotic foods can be almost any fermented food such as miso, sauerkraut, kefir, pickles, and kimchi.
Some of the commercial yogurts on the market are not considered a healthy probiotic food because of the way they are made, which renders the bacteria useless, not to mention they contain large amounts of chemicals and high fructose corn syrup.
Many people do not like yogurt or fermented foods. There is another way to make sure you get plenty of healthy probiotics, by taking a probiotic supplement.
Some of the commercial yogurts on the market are not considered a healthy probiotic food because of the way they are made, which renders the bacteria useless, not to mention they contain large amounts of chemicals and high fructose corn syrup.
Many people do not like yogurt or fermented foods. There is another way to make sure you get plenty of healthy probiotics, by taking a probiotic supplement.
Why a Healthy Digestive System is Important for Good Health
Many of today’s health problems can be directly linked to a poorly working digestive system, health problems that include:
- Heartburn
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- IBS
- Obesity
- Arthritis
- Acne
- Rashes
- Allergies
- Stress
- Autoimmune Diseases
- Urinary and yeast infections
- Crohn’s disease
Our digestive system is a large part of our body’s immune system. Our immune system is our first line of defense against bacteria, viruses and harmful pathogens that cause us to get sick. Our intestines and the digestive system keeps dangerous pathogens and bacteria from entering our bloodstream by making sure they are eliminated properly.
A poorly working digestive system can also inhibit our body from properly absorbing vitamins and nutrients from our food, which then lowers our immunity to colds, flu, and other illnesses.
The Causes of an Unhealthy Digestive System
Our digestive system contains more than 500 different species of bacteria, both good and bad bacteria. An unhealthy digestive system starts when the bad bacteria outnumber the good bacteria. Eating a poor diet is the main cause of an unhealthy digestive system.
Today’s standard American diet has too many chemicals, too much sugar and not enough fiber. Fiber from vegetables, fruit and whole grains are important for a healthy digestive system, and those foods are lacking in today’s standard diet.
High fiber foods and whole foods are what the good bacteria thrive and multiple on. Sugar, white flour and junk foods are what the bad bacteria thrive on and multiple. Since we cannot always eat the best diet, a probiotic supplement can help us have a healthier digestive system.
Taking certain medications, especially antibiotics can kill both the bad and the good bacteria in the digestive system causing diarrhea. Probiotics can quickly cure this health problem.
The Health Benefits of Probiotics
The digestive tract and primarily the intestines are home to 100 trillion bacteria, both good and bad. The key to a healthy digestive tract is to have many more of the good bacteria than bad.
Probiotics can increase the good gut bacteria which will build a healthy digestive system and increase our overall health. Probiotics are healthy for many reasons that include but are not limited to the following health benefits:
A probiotic supplement is a simple, inexpensive and a great way to increase the health of the digestive system, feel much better and boost our immune systems.
Probiotics can increase the good gut bacteria which will build a healthy digestive system and increase our overall health. Probiotics are healthy for many reasons that include but are not limited to the following health benefits:
- Can help a person lose weight with a healthier and better working digestive system.
- Cure many stomach ailments like heartburn, indigestion, bloating and gas.
- Recent studies have found that probiotics can reduce the bad (LDL) cholesterol levels, which will help the heart.
- Helps with the absorption of calcium and other nutrients.
- Strengthens the lining of the intestines and gut keeping pathogens out of our bloodstream.
- Recent research has found children that take probiotics have less of a risk of getting ear infections, colds, strep throat, and diarrhea.
- Studies have also shown probiotics can prevent or slow the development of certain cancers.
A probiotic supplement is a simple, inexpensive and a great way to increase the health of the digestive system, feel much better and boost our immune systems.
How to Buy the Best Probiotics
When looking for a high quality probiotic, you should look for the following.
- Make sure the label has an expiration date, and do not buy one near or after the expiration date since the live bacteria might not be effective anymore.
- Make sure the label states how many bacteria are in each serving. Two billion to about 10 billion CFU per serving is good. A probiotic supplement might list this as live bacteria or in CFU. This means colony forming units.
- Make sure the bacteria and the strains are listed on the label.
- The most popular types of bacteria in a probiotic will be Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. They are usually labeled L. something and B. something. The something is the strain. Some recent research found that the most beneficial overall bacterium is Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1.
- Beware of probiotic supplements when the label says it is a proprietary formula and the label does not list the strains of bacteria.
- A multi-strain probiotic could be a better supplement for overall digestive health.
- Some strains of bacteria are good for certain health issues while others are more general purpose.
Probiotic Foods and Prebiotics
As mentioned, taking a probiotic supplement is an excellent way to help heal digestive problems and build up the good gut bacteria.
But probiotic supplements can get expensive and a better way to have a healthy gut is to eat the foods that build up the good gut bacteria, probiotic foods.
Probiotic foods are also known as prebiotics. The best probiotic foods or prebiotics are all plant foods, those foods are considered prebiotics.
Probiotic foods are also known as prebiotics. The best probiotic foods or prebiotics are all plant foods, those foods are considered prebiotics.
Prebiotic foods include vegetables, beans, whole grains, and fruits. In other words, the plant foods.
The more prebiotic foods you eat, the healthier your gut bacteria will be, which is great for your overall good health. Also, stay away from foods that contain chemicals and additives that can destroy the good gut bacteria. These are called obesogens.
About the Author
Sam Montana is a certified Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Copyright © 2012-2019 Sam Montana
Sam Montana is a certified Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Copyright © 2012-2019 Sam Montana
