What are probiotics?
Unless you've been under a rock, you've probably heard the term probiotics being used a lot more lately in regards to nutrition ad 'gut health.' It is important to understand what probiotics do and what role they play in our health, so today, we're going to go over some important things to understand, and why we recommend probiotics to our practice members in Jacksonville.What you need to know about Probiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms that cause health benefits when consumed in appropriate amounts
you can get them from foods or supplements
Probiotics can positively impact your gut health and flora
Probiotics help to encourage the right kind of bacteria in your gut
Having the right bacteria is linked to several health benefits that include: weight loss, improved digestion, enhanced immune function, better skin, increased energy, less inflammation, and fewer allergies.
But to reap these benefits, we need to help our gut to colonize with these health-boosting organisms, which is where probiotics come in.
Historically, we had plenty of probiotics in our diet from eating fresh foods from good soil and by fermenting our foods to keep them from spoiling.However, today because of refrigeration and dangerous agricultural practices like soaking our foods with chlorine, our food contains little to no probiotics and most foods today actually contain antibiotics that kill off the good bacteria in our bodies.
Probiotics are good bacteria that are similar to the bacteria that are already in your body. In fact, there are a greater number of bacteria in your intestines than there are cells in your body.
But not all bacteria are created equal. Some research suggests that having an imbalance of 'good' and 'bad' bacteria can wreak all sorts of havoc on your body’s systems. This can lead to weight gain, skin conditions, constipation or diarrhea, and various chronic health conditions.
By definition, they are:
"live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health of benefit on the host."
These live microorganisms can come from food or supplements and can help to maintain the complex community of microorganisms in the gut, called gut flora.
Gut flora is responsible for:
Manufacture of K vitamins and some of the B vitamins
Turning fibers into short-chain fats which feed the gut wall and perform many metabolic functions
Stimulating the immune system
Regulating the integrity of the gut
Preventing 'leaking' into the body and provoking an immune response
Aiding in urinary function
Probiotics in foods:
Look for brands with 'Live and Active Cultures' on the label. This indicates that the yogurt has at least 100 million active cultures per gram of yogurt. This fermented soybean product is created by adding a tempeh starter to soybeans. The product is then left to sit for a day or two. The result is a cake-like product.
Kimchi is a cousin to sauerkraut and is the Korean take on cultured veggies. Both of the fermented formulas are also high in enzymes, which can aid digestion.
Kombucha Is an effervescent fermentation of black tea that is started by using a SCOBY, also known as a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast. Kombucha has been around for over 2,000 years, originating around Japan. Many claims have been made about kombucha, but its primary health benefits include digestive support, increased energy and liver detoxification.
Raw Cheese – Goat’s milk, sheep’s milk, and A2 cow’s soft cheeses are particularly high in probiotics, including thermophillus, bifudus, bulgaricus and acidophilus. Always buy raw and unpasteurized cheeses if you want to receive any probiotics.
Apple Cider Vinegar is great for controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and even weight loss, apple cider vinegar is a great daily addition that will bring many benefits — including providing probiotics. Drink a small bit each day or use it as a salad dressing.
Probiotic Supplements
We swear by the products from Klaire Labs. They have supplement lines for different needs, including one that we can safely recommend for infants. We love them because:
They're hypoallergenic, dairy- and gluten-free products. They also have vegetarian products.
They have a varied line of products to accommodate many needs and dosages
Klaire Labs is known for high quality and standards
Because these are live microorganisms, there are special considerations to take when ordering probiotics online:
Are they packaged properly for refrigeration? Are they refrigerated at all?
Will they be delivered in time for you to bring them inside to cool?
Are they available from a reputable seller with a full refund policy? (This is important because you might receive a product that hasn't been shipped/stored properly)
Klaire Labs are only available from authorized Healthcare partners. If you're local to Jacksonville, please come by or contact our office to place your order and we will handle it for you!