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Probiotics are micro-organisms that live in your gut. They can be bacteria or certain types of yeasts. Foods that are probiotic are usually prepared by bacterial fermentation. Probiotics not only offer health benefits but can also improve your immune system when you consume the right type of probiotic food. Take note that probiotics are not the same as prebiotics. Discover the beneficial connection between probiotics and gut health.
Maintain a Healthy Digestive System
Probiotics are widely suggested to improve your digestive system and in turn your health and immune system. Probiotic food supports the good bacteria in your gut by providing a nourishing environment to these bacteria. It can help cure diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and reduce bloating. It also helps you to fight against infections that cause ulcers and stomach cancer. If you have a digestive problem, you need to have a probiotic supplement after consulting with your doctor. If you are using any antibiotic, you should avoid having probiotic supplements. The antibiotic reacts with the probiotic to kill the natural bacteria in the gut.
Weight Management
Gut bacteria differs from one person to another. An obese person may have a different bacteria compared to a non-obese person. It’s the bacteria in the gut that determines body weight. Research showed that people with excess belly fat who took probiotic food resulted in a loss of belly fat over the 12 weeks of the study. They started gaining weight when they stopped taking probiotic food.
Other Health Benefits
Probiotic also help in reducing depression and anxiety, lower bad cholesterol, and reduce blood pressure. It can also assist in reducing acne, rosacea and eczema.
Side Effects of Probiotics
Probiotics are generally considered a safe supplement for most people. When you start take probiotics supplements, you may notice small issues in digestions, bloating and mild discomfort in your stomach. Over a period of time, your stomach and gut get adjusted to the probiotic foods and your digestion and gut health starts improving. Probiotics could prove dangerous for people who have a compromised immune systems like HIV, AIDS. If you are taking antibiotics or under any medication, consult your physician before taking probiotic foods.
Probiotic Foods and Supplements
Some fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, miso, and butter milk are all rich in probiotics. To improve the connection between probiotics and gut health, you can also take probiotics available in the form of tablets, capsules, and even gummies. Dried beans, legumes, garlic, asparagus, onions, leeks, green bananas and wheat are good probiotic foods, as well. If you experience any abdominal issues while taking a probiotic food, you can switch to other probiotic food. Its takes a while on a trial and error basis to arrive at the probiotic that best suits. you.
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