Put simply, probiotics are a collection of live bacteria and yeasts that have beneficial properties for your health. They are particularly good for your gut health.<\/p>\n
Your body naturally produces a certain amount of \u2018good\u2019 bacteria on its own, but probiotics can be used as a supplementation to help restore a proper balance in your gut, especially if you\u2019ve lost a certain amount of good bacteria due to antibiotic usage.<\/p>\n
This is important because if you want your body to function properly, you will require a good amount of helpful bacteria to balance out the bad bacteria.<\/p>\n
Types of Probiotics<\/u><\/span><\/h2>\nThere are many types of bacteria that are considered probiotics, and they each have their own varying health benefits. However, there are considered to be two main groups of probiotics:<\/p>\n
Lactobacillus – <\/strong>These are considered to be the most common form of probiotic strains and they produce lactic acid, which helps the body keep the bad bacteria population under control.<\/p>\nBifidobacterium – <\/strong>These types of probiotics are most commonly found in food and supplement products. They help boost your immune system and break down lactose into nutrients.<\/p>\nThe Top 7 Health Benefits of Probiotics<\/u><\/span><\/h2>\n1- Improved Digestion<\/h3>\n
Probiotics can be used to treat many different digestive issues, including bloating, cramping, and gassiness. Of particular note is their ability to ease symptoms of irritable bowel disease as well. (1<\/a>)<\/p>\nIn addition, since certain strains of probiotics break down lactose, they are great for individuals who are lactose-intolerant by easing some of the uncomfortable digestive symptoms that they experience.<\/p>\n
2- Relieves Diarrhea<\/h3>\n
One of the most common reasons for probiotic supplementation is thanks to their ability to help prevent and relieve diarrhea.<\/p>\n
Many people who are on a course of antibiotics experience diarrhea as a side effect due to lower amounts of healthy gut bacteria. (2<\/a>)<\/p>\nCertain strains of probiotics are highly effective at treating diarrhea, even when the condition hasn\u2019t been caused by antibiotic usage.<\/p>\n
3- Immune System Booster<\/h3>\n
By ensuring a proper balance of bacteria in your intestines, including plenty of helpful good bacteria, probiotics help to keep your immune system strong and healthy. (3<\/a>)<\/p>\nThey have been shown to reduce the length and severity of many types of infections. When your immune system is functioning properly, it helps defend the body against the invasive harmful types of bacteria that can cause illness and infections.<\/p>\n
4- Improves Skin Conditions<\/h3>\n
A proper balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut doesn\u2019t just keep the inside of your body working properly.<\/p>\n
It can also affect your outward appearance as well by clearing up certain skin conditions which can be caused by inflammation in the body. (4<\/a>)<\/p>\nProbiotics have been found to be beneficial when it comes to clearing up acne, eczema, rosacea, and even skin blemishes related to the natural aging process.<\/p>\n
5- Improves Mental Health<\/h3>\n
Probiotics have demonstrated some promising potential when it comes to helping relieve symptoms of depression. (5<\/a>)<\/p>\nThey have been shown to reduce stress signaling in the body and they may also help with converting the amino acid tryptophan into serotonin within the brain.<\/p>\n
In addition to the role they play with serotonin conversion, their anti-inflammatory properties provide similar benefits as seen provided by antidepressant SSRI medications.<\/p>\n
6- Improved Cholesterol Levels<\/h3>\n
Probiotics have fantastic benefits for your cardiovascular system by lowering both the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and total cholesterol in your bloodstream while also lowering blood pressure. (6<\/a>)<\/p>\nThis,\u00a0in turn, helps lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Even better yet, probiotics have been found to either slightly increase good cholesterol levels (HDL) or have no noticeable effect, depending on the strain. Either way leads to improved lipid levels and better overall health.<\/p>\n
7- Prevent and Treat Urinary Tract Infections<\/h3>\n
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be commonly caused by a bacterial infection. The most commonly prescribed form of treatment for UTIs is antibiotics, which in turn will decimate both good and bad bacterial strains in your body.<\/p>\n
Instead of turning to antibiotics, probiotics can help both prevent and treat UTIs by preventing bad bacteria from sticking to the bladder and causing infection. (7<\/a>)<\/p>\nThe Top 5 Healthy Probiotic Containing Foods<\/u><\/span><\/h2>\n<\/h3>\n
![\"Healthy](\"https:\/\/www.4ahealthygut.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Healthy-Probiotic-Foods.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
1- Yogurt<\/h3>\n
The most commonly known source of probiotics in food is also one of the best sources.<\/p>\n
Made with milk that has been fermented by friendly bacteria, yogurt is an easy tasty and nutritious way to get your probiotics.<\/p>\n
Just make sure that the yogurt you purchase specifically states that it contains live or active cultures.<\/p>\n
2- Sauerkraut<\/h3>\n
A staple of many European dishes, sauerkraut is made of very finely shredded cabbage that has been fermented by lactic acid bacteria.<\/p>\n
Sauerkraut is not only an excellent source of probiotics — it also contains plenty of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In order to receive the probiotic benefits, be sure to choose unpasteurized sauerkraut.<\/p>\n
3- Kimchi<\/h3>\n
An incredibly popular Korean side dish, kimchi is made with a mixture of salted and fermented vegetables.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s most commonly made with either napa cabbage or Korean radishes and also contains seasonings including garlic, ginger, chili powder, scallions, and salt.<\/p>\n
In addition to containing probiotics, kimchi also features plenty of vitamins and minerals thank the vegetable content.<\/p>\n
4- Pickles<\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>Pickles are simply cucumbers that have been bottled in a solution that contains salt and water.<\/p>\nThanks to their naturally present lactic acid bacteria, the cucumbers ferment over a period of time.<\/p>\n
The end result is pickles, also known as gherkins. They end up with a naturally sour taste from the fermentation process<\/p>\n
5- Raw Cheese<\/h3>\n
Certain raw and unpasteurized varieties of cheese are excellent sources of probiotics.<\/p>\n
Cheese that has been made from goat\u2019s milk and sheep\u2019s milk,\u00a0in particular, are quite high in probiotics.<\/p>\n
To assist you with finding types of cheese that contain probiotics, check the labels for the words \u2018organic\u2019, \u2018made from raw milk\u2019, or simply \u2018probiotic\u2019.<\/p>\n
The Top 3 Healthy Drinks That Contain Probiotics<\/u><\/span><\/h2>\n1- Kefir<\/h3>\n
Kefir is a fermented milk product made by adding kefir grains into cow or goat\u2019s milk.<\/p>\n
Kefir grains are cultures of lactic acid bacteria that contain many great health benefits.<\/p>\n
As a matter of fact, kefir is actually a better source of concentrated probiotics than even yogurt.<\/p>\n
2- Kombucha<\/h3>\n
Kombucha is generally made with fermented black or green tea. It\u2019s a healthy mixture of tea, sugar, and bacteria that has been used for over 2000 years, tracing its origin back to ancient China.<\/p>\n
Following the fermentation process, kombucha ends up bearing a taste that is remarkably similar to apple cider vinegar, which also contains many benefits for your gut health.<\/p>\n
3- Sparkling Probiotic Drinks<\/h3>\n
Sparkling probiotic drink brands like KeVita have created probiotic drinks made with coconut water and teas.<\/p>\n
They have their own fermentation process that adds billions of live bacteria cultures. KeVita also adds fruit puree, vinegar, and certain flavors are sweetened with stevia as well.<\/p>\n
The 3 Best Probiotic Supplements On the Market<\/u><\/span><\/h2>\n1- BlueBiotics Ultimate Care<\/h3>\n
This probiotic blend from BlueBiotics contains an incredible 61 billion live probiotics per serving.<\/p>\n
Each serving contains 11 proven bacterial strains, including S. Boulardi, which is considered to be one of the most effective, yet expensive, strains.<\/p>\n
They come in small capsules which are designed to be resistant to stomach acids, making them an extremely effective source of probiotics.<\/p>\n
2- Ultimate Flora Critical Care<\/h3>\n
\u00a0<\/strong>The Ultimate Flora Critical Care probiotic supplement<\/a> <\/strong>features 50 billion live probiotics per serving.<\/p>\nWhile the amount of live and active bacterial cultures are lower than the BlueBiotics Ultimate Care blend, these probiotics have an incredibly diverse mix of bacterial strains.<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t have any chronic health conditions you are aiming to remedy with specific probiotics, this offering from Ultimate Flora makes an excellent all-around general health supplement.<\/p>\n
3- Align Probiotic<\/h3>\n
Bifidobacterium – <\/strong>These types of probiotics are most commonly found in food and supplement products. They help boost your immune system and break down lactose into nutrients.<\/p>\n Probiotics can be used to treat many different digestive issues, including bloating, cramping, and gassiness. Of particular note is their ability to ease symptoms of irritable bowel disease as well. (1<\/a>)<\/p>\n In addition, since certain strains of probiotics break down lactose, they are great for individuals who are lactose-intolerant by easing some of the uncomfortable digestive symptoms that they experience.<\/p>\n One of the most common reasons for probiotic supplementation is thanks to their ability to help prevent and relieve diarrhea.<\/p>\n Many people who are on a course of antibiotics experience diarrhea as a side effect due to lower amounts of healthy gut bacteria. (2<\/a>)<\/p>\n Certain strains of probiotics are highly effective at treating diarrhea, even when the condition hasn\u2019t been caused by antibiotic usage.<\/p>\n By ensuring a proper balance of bacteria in your intestines, including plenty of helpful good bacteria, probiotics help to keep your immune system strong and healthy. (3<\/a>)<\/p>\n They have been shown to reduce the length and severity of many types of infections. When your immune system is functioning properly, it helps defend the body against the invasive harmful types of bacteria that can cause illness and infections.<\/p>\n A proper balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut doesn\u2019t just keep the inside of your body working properly.<\/p>\n It can also affect your outward appearance as well by clearing up certain skin conditions which can be caused by inflammation in the body. (4<\/a>)<\/p>\n Probiotics have been found to be beneficial when it comes to clearing up acne, eczema, rosacea, and even skin blemishes related to the natural aging process.<\/p>\n Probiotics have demonstrated some promising potential when it comes to helping relieve symptoms of depression. (5<\/a>)<\/p>\n They have been shown to reduce stress signaling in the body and they may also help with converting the amino acid tryptophan into serotonin within the brain.<\/p>\n In addition to the role they play with serotonin conversion, their anti-inflammatory properties provide similar benefits as seen provided by antidepressant SSRI medications.<\/p>\n Probiotics have fantastic benefits for your cardiovascular system by lowering both the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and total cholesterol in your bloodstream while also lowering blood pressure. (6<\/a>)<\/p>\n This,\u00a0in turn, helps lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack and stroke. Even better yet, probiotics have been found to either slightly increase good cholesterol levels (HDL) or have no noticeable effect, depending on the strain. Either way leads to improved lipid levels and better overall health.<\/p>\n Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be commonly caused by a bacterial infection. The most commonly prescribed form of treatment for UTIs is antibiotics, which in turn will decimate both good and bad bacterial strains in your body.<\/p>\n Instead of turning to antibiotics, probiotics can help both prevent and treat UTIs by preventing bad bacteria from sticking to the bladder and causing infection. (7<\/a>)<\/p>\n The most commonly known source of probiotics in food is also one of the best sources.<\/p>\n Made with milk that has been fermented by friendly bacteria, yogurt is an easy tasty and nutritious way to get your probiotics.<\/p>\n Just make sure that the yogurt you purchase specifically states that it contains live or active cultures.<\/p>\n A staple of many European dishes, sauerkraut is made of very finely shredded cabbage that has been fermented by lactic acid bacteria.<\/p>\n Sauerkraut is not only an excellent source of probiotics — it also contains plenty of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In order to receive the probiotic benefits, be sure to choose unpasteurized sauerkraut.<\/p>\n An incredibly popular Korean side dish, kimchi is made with a mixture of salted and fermented vegetables.<\/p>\n It\u2019s most commonly made with either napa cabbage or Korean radishes and also contains seasonings including garlic, ginger, chili powder, scallions, and salt.<\/p>\n In addition to containing probiotics, kimchi also features plenty of vitamins and minerals thank the vegetable content.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Pickles are simply cucumbers that have been bottled in a solution that contains salt and water.<\/p>\n Thanks to their naturally present lactic acid bacteria, the cucumbers ferment over a period of time.<\/p>\n The end result is pickles, also known as gherkins. They end up with a naturally sour taste from the fermentation process<\/p>\n Certain raw and unpasteurized varieties of cheese are excellent sources of probiotics.<\/p>\n Cheese that has been made from goat\u2019s milk and sheep\u2019s milk,\u00a0in particular, are quite high in probiotics.<\/p>\n To assist you with finding types of cheese that contain probiotics, check the labels for the words \u2018organic\u2019, \u2018made from raw milk\u2019, or simply \u2018probiotic\u2019.<\/p>\n Kefir is a fermented milk product made by adding kefir grains into cow or goat\u2019s milk.<\/p>\n Kefir grains are cultures of lactic acid bacteria that contain many great health benefits.<\/p>\n As a matter of fact, kefir is actually a better source of concentrated probiotics than even yogurt.<\/p>\n Kombucha is generally made with fermented black or green tea. It\u2019s a healthy mixture of tea, sugar, and bacteria that has been used for over 2000 years, tracing its origin back to ancient China.<\/p>\n Following the fermentation process, kombucha ends up bearing a taste that is remarkably similar to apple cider vinegar, which also contains many benefits for your gut health.<\/p>\n Sparkling probiotic drink brands like KeVita have created probiotic drinks made with coconut water and teas.<\/p>\n They have their own fermentation process that adds billions of live bacteria cultures. KeVita also adds fruit puree, vinegar, and certain flavors are sweetened with stevia as well.<\/p>\n This probiotic blend from BlueBiotics contains an incredible 61 billion live probiotics per serving.<\/p>\n Each serving contains 11 proven bacterial strains, including S. Boulardi, which is considered to be one of the most effective, yet expensive, strains.<\/p>\n They come in small capsules which are designed to be resistant to stomach acids, making them an extremely effective source of probiotics.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>The Ultimate Flora Critical Care probiotic supplement<\/a> <\/strong>features 50 billion live probiotics per serving.<\/p>\n While the amount of live and active bacterial cultures are lower than the BlueBiotics Ultimate Care blend, these probiotics have an incredibly diverse mix of bacterial strains.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t have any chronic health conditions you are aiming to remedy with specific probiotics, this offering from Ultimate Flora makes an excellent all-around general health supplement.<\/p>\nThe Top 7 Health Benefits of Probiotics<\/u><\/span><\/h2>\n
1- Improved Digestion<\/h3>\n
2- Relieves Diarrhea<\/h3>\n
3- Immune System Booster<\/h3>\n
4- Improves Skin Conditions<\/h3>\n
5- Improves Mental Health<\/h3>\n
6- Improved Cholesterol Levels<\/h3>\n
7- Prevent and Treat Urinary Tract Infections<\/h3>\n
The Top 5 Healthy Probiotic Containing Foods<\/u><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\n1- Yogurt<\/h3>\n
2- Sauerkraut<\/h3>\n
3- Kimchi<\/h3>\n
4- Pickles<\/h3>\n
5- Raw Cheese<\/h3>\n
The Top 3 Healthy Drinks That Contain Probiotics<\/u><\/span><\/h2>\n
1- Kefir<\/h3>\n
2- Kombucha<\/h3>\n
3- Sparkling Probiotic Drinks<\/h3>\n
The 3 Best Probiotic Supplements On the Market<\/u><\/span><\/h2>\n
1- BlueBiotics Ultimate Care<\/h3>\n
2- Ultimate Flora Critical Care<\/h3>\n
3- Align Probiotic<\/h3>\n
![\"probiotic](\"https:\/\/www.4ahealthygut.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/probiotic-side-effects.jpg\")
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