There is a lot of information out there about “what you NEED to be doing” to stay healthy. You keep hearing your friends and family talk about probiotics. When you look at the selection at the grocery store it is impossible to choose one as there are so many different options out there. You skip it. Afterall, it is easy to get invested with the latest trends and fad diets, right?
Do you REALLY need to be taking one too? Is a probiotic actually going to give you results? In this post I’m telling you what a probiotic even is, how to find one that will work for your body, and the benefits of taking one!
What is a probiotic?
First, let’s start by covering what the heck a probiotic even is. Probiotics contain live microorganisms intended to maintain or improve the normal microflora (good bacteria) in the body.
Probiotics can be found both in supplements form and in the foods we eat. The “good bacteria” promotes a healthy gut which boosts your immune system, improves your mental clarity (brain fog), keeps your bowel movements regular, and even improves your skin!
There are many reasons you should consider adding a probiotic to your daily routine. Even if you don’t have a medically diagnosed gastrointestinal disorder like Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome or Celiac disease, you may still have “gut problems”.
If you are not routinely pooping once a day AND feel like you are completely empty when you are done… you have gut problems. If you experience bloating or distention throughout the day… you have gut problems! The results of adding a simple probiotic to your routine might surprise you!
Foods that Contain Probiotics
It is true that probiotics are found in the foods we eat. Many fermented foods contain the “good gut” bacteria. If you prefer to avoid taking additional supplements, be sure to stock your refrigerator full of these:
- Sauerkraut
- Kombucha
- Pickles
- Yogurt (look for ones that state they “contain live active cultures”)
- Kefir
- Kimchi
- Kefir
Health Benefits from Taking a Probiotic
There’s got to be a reason people keep talking about how amazing probiotics are, RIGHT? Well, if you’re looking to increase your mental clarity, balance your gut microbiome, or improve your skin health, a probiotic could be extremely beneficial for you!
The gut is responsible for a healthy immune system, brain function, and hormone balance. When the bacteria in your gut is properly balanced, there are numerous health benefits that include:
- Improved Digestion
- Weight loss
- Improved Cognitive (mental) Function
- Boosts Immune System
- Reduce Inflammation
- Improved Skin Health
How to Take a Probiotic?
What’s the best way to take a probiotic? Depending on the form of probiotic that you chose, this answer may differ. Most people do benefit from adding probiotics to their meal plan as well as taking an additional supplement. If you are someone who hates to swallow pills, they make probiotics in liquid form.
Implementing a probiotic supplement into your daily routine is easy. First, you will want to read the manufacturers label carefully. (This is not one of those scenarios where you throw the instructions aside because “you got this”.)
Generally, the serving size will be between 1-3 pills daily and you will want to take the supplements with a glass of water. Make it a big glass, you probably aren’t drinking enough water each day anyways!
You can decide what time of day works best for you to take your supplements as these can be taken with or without food (Unless the manufacturer states differently). Ideally, you should take the supplements at the same time each day to maximize your results.
How to Choose A Probiotic
You’ve seen the isle at the grocery store and know how many options there are to chose from. So, what are you looking for when choosing a probiotic?
I would recommend staying away from the grocery store’s selections of probiotics and instead get your supplements from a reputable retailer. Choose a product that contains both live and active cultures that have a variety of probiotic strains.
If you walked into my office today and asked me “Which probiotic supplement I should start”? I would hand you this bottle from NutriDyn. No need to come into my office, you can purchase it directly from the link I provided, and it will be delivered right to your door.
Conclusion
Probiotics play a vital role in our gut health. If you do not already have a probiotic in your daily routine, you should consider adding a supplement and/or eating more foods that contain probiotics naturally. Probiotics improve digestive function, boost your immune system, increase cognitive function (clear brain fog) and give you brighter, clearer skin!
If you suffer from any of these and are looking for a natural approach to improve your overall health and wellness, the team at Twin Oaks Health in Fargo is here to support your gut health! At Twin Oaks Health, our team is committed to helping you reach optimal health and vitality by treating your whole body.
