Hi everyone, it’s a new week and I hope the week ahead has great things in store you. For today’s topic, I want to explore the subject of probiotics. I’m sure many of you have heard of them; some of you may have even tried them. But how much do you actually know about probiotics? Read on to find out more!
The Basics
Probiotics can consist of living organisms like yeast or bacteria and it is thought that these are beneficial to your health and can even improve it. These may come in the form of food or supplements and have grown in popularity in recent years.
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| Probiotics can come in many forms (pic from webmd.com) |
It is widely believed that digestive problems can occur if the balance of good bacteria in our intestines is affected – this may be a result of taking antibiotics or suffering from an infection. Probiotics are thought to be able to improve the condition of your intestines, as well as helping your body combat the bacteria that causes diarrhoea.
Your immune system also benefits from probiotics, as the introduction of friendly bacteria will challenge the immune system, strengthening it and preparing it to tackle more harmful bacteria in the future. Probiotics are also thought to help the body combat several other conditions including stomach ulcers, pouchitis, and necrotising enterocolitis and more.
Probiotics in Food
For the most part, probiotics work in our digestive system to introduce good bacteria. If you are not a fan of tablets or supplements, you can look for probiotic presence in various foods. Keep an eye out for dairy products containing ‘beneficial cultures’ – otherwise known as probiotics. Some types of cereal, yoghurt, juice, cookies and other traditional healthy snacks claim to contain probiotics but there is no certainty that they have a healthy amount. You may not even require the specific form of probiotics found in these food products, nor the health benefits that it may provide.
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| Probiotics may be found in fermented dairy products such as cheese (pic from health.com) |
In short, if you want to take probiotics, you should get a proper supplement with clearly outlined benefits and the type of good bacteria it introduces to your digestive system. Anything else is a shot in the dark, and you will never really know what benefits you may gain from it.
Are There Side Effects or Risks?
For all the studies that have been done to highlight the benefits of probiotics on your health, there is still much research that needs to be conducted to determine their safety and effectiveness on the human body.
This is especially important for elderly individuals or children, as well as pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system. Probiotics may actually cause you to fall sick if your immune system is suppressed due a condition or medical treatment (for example chemotherapy), so it is important that you check with a licensed medical professional if you are susceptible.
Manufacturers are fully responsible for their supplement and must ensure that all ingredients are safe for consumption. However, probiotic supplements are generally safe for the most part, even if they are not regulated by the FDA. If you are still worried, check with your doctor to see if it is suitale for you. After all, it would be a shame to completely rule out the health benefits that probiotics can provide based on an irrational fear.
Till next time!
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