What are Probiotics?
Before we proceed with the usefulness of probiotics and healthy gut bacteria, let's first decode the jargon 'probiotics.
Probiotics are just good microorganisms already living in our bodies. These microscopic organisms do not cause any harmful effects to our bodies; rather, they promote amazing gut health. We can be infected by the bad bacteria living in the environment. Probiotics support the elimination of infection-causing microorganisms to maintain the balance in our body.
Another important thing to understand, we often take antibiotics to cure severe bacterial infections. Antibiotics can be quite harsh on the gut and sometimes destroy the good bacteria living inside our bodies. Probiotics rejuvenate the digestive system by providing a constant supply of healthy bacteria to keep the system balanced.
Importance of healthy gut bacteria
Microorganisms include viruses, bacteria, fungi and many other microscopic living creatures. We already have billions of such bacteria inside our intestines, on our skin etc. However, gut microbiome only refers to those microscopic things inside the caecum (part of the large intestine).
Were you aware that these gut microbes started helping our body at birth? Indeed, gut microbiomes are seriously important for the human body. Let's consider some of the great work the microbiome do:
Wondering about the benefits of probiotics?
Now that we've got you covered with the importance of the gut microbiome and the basics of probiotics, let's discover a few surprising benefits.
Promotes growth of gut microbiome
As we know, probiotics supply many microbiomes in the human body. Therefore, it restores the balance of good bacteria in the intestine. Often, due to prolonged medications, we lose healthy bacteria. An imbalance caused by poor bacterial growth may result in illness, digestive disorders and other health problems.
Reduces mental health problems
You might be wondering how microorganisms promote good mental health? It's actually a miracle of bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These two microbes found in yoghurt and other probiotics can improve anxiety, OCD, depression and severe mental health problems. Studies have identified that adequate intake of probiotics results in decreased C-reactive protein and insulin hormones that promote good mental health.
Protects our heart
Another significant feature of probiotics lies in the immense benefits for our hearts. When you regularly consume probiotics, you may notice a reduced amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) in your blood therefore helping to prevent blockages in your heart. Probiotics are better for bile synthesis resulting in a reduced lipid profile in our body.
Immunity booster
Probiotics boost our immunity by significantly lowering the possibility of bacterial or viral infection. In fact, the probiotic Lactobacillus crispatus may play a wide role in curing urinary tract infections in many women.
Enjoy all the health benefits.
So we have seen how probiotics promote a healthy system and maintain a constant supply of gut bacteria. If you're wanting to enjoy all the benefits, try to intake probiotic-rich food like yogurt , buttermilk, cheese, sourdough bread, miso soup, sour pickles etc. Probiotic supplements are available from the pharmacy, but of course before using supplements it is important to seek advice from your doctor.
