Studies show that probiotics can be beneficial in improving gut health, assisting in the body’s digestive system, and in the treatment of various ailments.
Your intestines contain over 500 million bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are live “good bacteria”.
Fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha tea, pickles, sauerkraut, tempeh, and miso soup, contain probiotics in “therapeutic quantities”. What this means is that some foods contain enough probiotics to be helpful in quantities that cannot be overindulged.
Probiotics are also sometimes recommended as a dietary supplement by physicians. More frequently, however, probiotic supplements are recommended by nutritionists as part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. Studies show that probiotics can help to strengthen the immune system. While there is no recorded evidence to suggest that probiotics can actually replace damaged parts of the body’s digestive tracts, there is proof that they can form temporary associations that may help to produce the same functions while the damaged areas have additional time to recover. By allowing the body with additional recovery time, probiotics may offer temporary assistance.
In addition to aiding in digestion and improving the immune system, probiotics are also thought to help prevent constipation, reduce the occurrence of insomnia and may help to reduce stress-related ailments. Stress is believed to be responsible for the onset of many illnesses, which is why research continues in an attempt to find ways to help reduce these ailments. High blood pressure, one of the main illnesses related to stress, can be extremely dangerous and may lead to other problems if not maintained.
Probiotic supplements are generally safe for most people. However, if you have immune system problems or other serious health conditions, you should ask your doctor first if taking a probiotic supplement is a good idea for you.
Committed To Your Health,
Brian Donovan is a certified fitness and nutrition coach, and the founder of Online Fitness Coach, LLC – an online fitness program where clients get direct coaching and personally tailored training and nutrition plans. Coach Brian was voted Chicago’s “Best Personal Trainer” by Chicago Reader magazine, Best Of Chicago 2014 edition. He has been featured in magazines such as Muscle & Fitness, Chicago Reader, Voyage Chicago, and The PTDC as well various other health and fitness blogs.
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