If you are looking for an easy way to improve your health this year, look no further than adding probiotics to your diet. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are available through fermented foods or targeted supplements. These microorganisms promote a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, resulting in numerous overall health benefits. Here are seven benefits of adding probiotics to your diet.
Prevent and Treat Diarrhea
One of the most common ways to use probiotics is to treat or prevent diarrhea. The use of antibiotics can disrupt the natural balance of good and bacteria in the gut. As such, it makes sense that taking probiotics concurrently with an antibiotic will help to restore this natural balance. This is why doctors will often recommend increasing your intake of probiotics while on a prescribed antibiotic medication. Probiotics can also be instrumental in helping to treat diarrhea not associated with the use of antibiotics. Travelers often also turn to probiotics to prevent traveler's diarrhea.
Boost Heart Health
Could the use of probiotics help keep your heart healthy? This supplement has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol as well as blood pressure levels. As a result, the health and function of your heart will see the benefits. The probiotics work in this way by breaking down bile in the gut, preventing it from being reabsorbed in the gut and entering the bloodstream as cholesterol. At a minimum, the use of probiotics that aid in promoting gut health may potentially decrease cholesterol levels, thereby positively impacting both mental and gut health.
Support a Healthy Immune System
Turning to microbiome probiotics can boost your health in numerous ways. New and emerging research has suggested that taking probiotics may reduce the odds of developing respiratory infections. This boost to the immune system could provide crucial protection against infections. In addition, the Lactobacillus crispatus has been demonstrated to lower the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Support Weight Loss
Are you looking to shed a few unwanted pounds in the new year? Probiotics could be the key to supporting your weight loss efforts. Some strains of probiotics can prevent the absorption of dietary fat in the digestive system, translating to a greater amount of weight loss in the belly area. The strains most commonly associated with weight loss support are Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. As with all efforts to lose weight, your best bet is to lean on a combination of approaches for the fastest and most lasting results.
Alleviate Symptoms of Digestive Disorders
Millions of people around the world suffer from a variety of digestive disorders. The most common afflictions are inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. Some types of probiotic strains have been shown to alleviate the symptoms of individuals dealing with these disorders. Your health care provider will be able to recommend how you can harness the immense power of probiotics to potentially help you to feel better as you battle these digestive issues.
Reduce Eczema Symptoms
Some studies have suggested that the use of probiotics may lessen allergic reactions, including eczema in children. Because eczema is a reaction of the immune system, it is not surprising to learn that probiotics could lessen the severity of this common skin condition. Naturally boosting the immune system through probiotics can also help the body to handle the disrupted response that triggers painful eczema. While probiotics should not be used as the sole treatment for eczema, its use in combination with other treatments may work for some sufferers.
Improve Mental Health Outcomes
The benefits of probiotics go far beyond treating physical ailments. These supplements and fermented foods have also been shown to improve the outcomes of some mental health disorders. Supplement with specific Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains may reduce the debilitating symptoms of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and more. The use of probiotics may also boost memory and cognitive function, providing benefits for people who are not currently dealing with severe mental health issues.
Conclusion
With all of these health benefits, you owe it to yourself to
explore all of the ways that you can incorporate probiotics into your daily
routine. Being purposeful about your intake of probiotics could be the key to a
healthier you in the upcoming year.
