Health Benefits of Probiotic Supplements

No one can escape the word ‘probiotics’ these days. This is because no one can escape the various advertisements touting the health benefits of probiotic supplements. Although these advertising campaigns might be very attractive in themselves, not many of us know what exactly what probiotics are and how these probiotic supplements can actually benefit our health. Here’s a brief look at what probiotics are and what the health benefits of probiotic supplements are.

What are probiotics?
The first thing that anyone who wants to know about probiotics is that they are naturally present in the digestive tract and the vagina. And you may not believe it, but they are actually bacteria which are good for your body. This is why they are commonly referred as ‘friendly bacteria’. Another surprising fact is that there are 400 species of these microorganisms present in the human digestive tract. These include the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterirum.

You may ask why you need probiotic supplements if your body already has these healthy bacteria. There’s a very simple answer to this question. You need probiotic supplements because there are a number of lifestyle, medical, and dietary factors that disturb the balance of these healthy bacteria in your colon. This imbalance which is called dysbiosis often happens due to inadequate dietary fiber, oral antibiotics, or environmental toxins. Once the presence of healthy bacteria goes down, the disease-causing bacteria begin to flourish and lead to infectious diarrhea and vaginal yeast infections.

When do people generally take probiotic supplements?
Often, people take probiotic supplements when they are exposed to conditions that disturb the balance of these healthy bacteria in the colon. These conditions include irritable bowel syndrome, radiation and chemotherapy, traveler’s diarrhea, vaginal yeast infections, and ulcerative colitis, among many others.

So, should you take probiotic supplements only when you are suffering from these conditions? No, because probiotic supplements don’t just help provide relief in these conditions, but they also have many other potential benefits. Here is a look at some of the benefits that regular intake of probiotic supplements can give you:
• Since it balances the bacterial flora of your digestive system, it improves its functioning,

• Restoration of the healthy bacteria balance in the digestive system helps in clearing skin problems such as acne and pimples.

• If you are lactose intolerant, probiotic supplements aid in the digestion of milk and milk products.

• A healthy digestive system ensures a healthy immune system.

• A healthy immune system means prevention from frequent colds, flu, and other bacterial and viral infections.

• Probiotic supplements prevent the occurrence of yeast and fungal infections, especially in the vagina.

• If you travel frequently, make sure to take probiotic supplements. This will help you prevent diarrhea.

What are the natural sources of probiotics?
You can get probiotics naturally by increasing the intake of cultured dairy products such as yogurt or kefir and fermented foods such sauerkraut in your diet. However, since it is very difficult to ascertain how much of it is left after all the processing these products go through, probiotic supplements are a good option. You can buy probiotic supplements in capsule, liquid, powder, or tablet form. There are also probiotic drinks available in health stores which you can try.

Probiotic supplements are generally safe, but if you are immunosuppressed make sure to seek medical advice before taking them. If not, probiotic supplements can only ensure that you have a healthy digestive functioning, a healthy immune system, a glowing skin, and a generally healthy body. So, go ahead try these probiotic supplements and watch the difference.