Probiotics – the wonder bugs!
You know you’re meant to take a probiotic to balance out the effects of antibiotics, but new research has found that probiotics are not just good for your gut!
Probiotics are specific strains of beneficial bacteria, and there is now evidence to suggest that they can lead to improvements not only in your digestive and immune health, but your overall wellbeing.
Is your gut out of balance?
As a Naturopath, I see many people with an out of balance gut, but they don’t even realise. Gut imbalances often arise due to disturbances to the intricate balance of intestinal bacteria. Many common lifestyle factors can contribute to an out of balance gut, including:
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alcohol consumption
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medications (e.g. antibiotics)
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processed foods
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stress
All of these can disrupt this delicate balance and lead to an increase in undesirable bacteria or deficiencies in beneficial bacteria.
So how do you know if your gut is out of balance? Common signs include:
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bloating, wind and abdominal pain (IBS)
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frequent colds and flus
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being plagued by allergies or skin conditions such as eczema and asthma
In these cases, probiotics can help to restore the correct balance of bacteria and ultimately reinstate health. It is more important than ever to support your gastrointestinal microbiota!
How do probiotics work?
Specific probiotic strains help to rebuild the disrupted microbiota and act like policemen within the gut, restoring peace amongst the ‘citizens’ of the microbiota.
Contrary to popular belief, new research has found that probiotics don’t just populate the gut with good bacteria. They actually regulate both good and bad bacteria; disease-promoting bacteria are kept at minimal levels, meanwhile probiotics promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. This helps to rebuild a healthy and diverse community of beneficial microbiota, and enable them to function at their best, so you too can feel your best!
The correct strains at the right dose
Importantly, there can be significant variation between probiotic strains and dosages. For this reason, it’s always important to see your Naturopath, who can tailor your treatment to address your individual health concerns.
Different strains not only have different actions in your body, but also deliver different health benefits. Different doses of the same strain can have varying effects in the body.
Some common strains include:
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Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis (BB-12®) – This super strain assists in rebuilding the gut microbiota, and helps to rebalance bacteria after a course of antibiotics.
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Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG®) – Commonly referred to as LGG®, this probiotic strain helps to regulate immune function, and in doing so may be useful for the treatment of autoimmune conditions, allergies, and eczema.
If you have any questions about the right probiotic for you, book a free 15 minute phone chat with a qualified Naturopath. Click here to book now.
Are you feeling frustrated and drained by your health?
Click here to discover how to boost your gut health naturally, which can in turn help you to lose weight, regain energy, support your immunity and even help to ward off cancer.
