Transcript below
So, your doctor or someone you know has suggested that you start taking probiotics, but you’re not convinced they’re right for you. You may be wondering, what are probiotics good for? Why take probiotics? In this video, I’ll explain why probiotics are not only beneficial but essential for optimal health. Let’s dive right in!
Hi! I’m Tim O’Brien, owner of The Healthy Place — Wisconsin’s number one vitamin and nutrition store where we’re passionate about helping people learn, grow, and create their best life possible. If you’re new here, consider subscribing!
What are probiotics good for?
The microbiome found within our gut thrives when there is a healthy balance of good bacteria that can fight off bad bacteria, pathogens, and yeast in our gut. And a thriving gut equals a healthy body. The problem is here in the United States we are facing a major gut problem. Approximately 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by digestive disease. An average, 100 billion dollars annually is spent on digestive diseases and disorders in the United States.
Now, let’s look at more facts! What we know about the gut is that there are some things that are hard on digestion — such as the overuse of antibiotics, sugar, inflammatory foods (such as gluten), stress, over-the-counter and prescription medications, most forms of alcohol, lack of exercise, smoking, inadequate sleep habits, and chlorinated or fluoridated water. All of these things are common in the United States — where gut health is less than ideal. You might say, “But I eat yogurt, so I'm good, right?” Is taking a probiotic daily good for you even if you eat yogurt or drink kombucha? Let me answer that!
Finding ways to incorporate probiotic-rich foods into your diet is always beneficial, but unfortunately, the Standard American Diet does not contain good food sources of beneficial flora.
Probiotic Benefits
So what are probiotics benefits? Here’s a quick list that explains the health benefits of taking probiotics:
#1. Gut Health
As we covered earlier, a healthy gut is essential to the function of other systems found within the body. Probiotics help ensure the good bacteria of your digestive tract stay balanced.
#2. Immune Health
80% of your immune system is found in the gut. To have a strong immune system, you must have a healthy, balanced gut.
# 3. Enzyme Production
Healthy gut flora is the key to healthy digestion and enzyme production. Without good enzymes, you won’t be able to get as many nutrients from your food.
#4. Vitamins
Fun fact! There are four vitamins created within your gut that are essential to your body’s health. These include Vitamin K, Biotin, Folic Acid, and B12.
#5. Inflammation Control
Recent studies have found that probiotics can relieve intestinal inflammation and work as an anti-inflammatory in the body.
#6. Digestive Health
Probiotics can help relieve IBS, constipation, and recurring diarrhea. They also promote better digestion, the absorption of nutrients, and more!
#7. Mental Health
The bacterial balance of your gut can influence your brain. Supplementing with probiotics can provide support for occasional depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more!
#8. Urinary Health
Probiotics are a great way to help prevent recurring urinary tract infections.
#9. Women’s Health
Probiotics are vital for women’s health. They can help prevent bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.
#10. Skin Health
Probiotics can help the appearance of acne and can help clear up blemishes in children and infants.
#11. Obesity
Some early research shows that weight loss surgery patients are better able to maintain weight loss if using probiotics.
#12. Dental Cavities
Several studies have shown a significant reduction in cavities in children who take probiotics.
So, what are probiotics good for? A lot of things as you can see! That brings us to your next question: how often should you take probiotics? Here at The Healthy Place, we like to recommend that you include a probiotic as a part of your daily wellness routine. We’d also suggest taking a daily multivitamin and omega-3 fatty acids. If you are sick or on an antibiotic, you may want to increase your daily dose, but in general, taking a daily probiotic is a great way to maintain your health and prevent health issues from arising.
But not just any probiotic will do! You’ll want to factor in things like strain diversity, probiotic count, and if it’s a high-quality brand. We have several options on our website, which you can find linked in the show notes.
To recap, why take probiotics? Probiotics can help you calm an upset digestive system, improve your mental health, sleep more soundly, boost your immune system, clear up your complexion, and so much more!
If you have any other questions about the health benefits of taking probiotics, please reach out to our Wellness Team via email or by phone! We’re here to answer your questions and help you find the best probiotic supplement for your specific lifestyle!
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Remember — we believe health is worth fighting for, and we want to help you Find Your Healthy Place!