Probiotics are live bacteria that help keep your digestive system healthy. The colony of microorganisms in the body is essential in maintaining physiological processes, most notably the conversion of food to essential nutrients and transport of nutrients in the body. Before we delve into sources of probiotics and their associated health benefits, let’s understand what they are, how they function, and the mechanism in which they influence other functions in the body.
You will find that you can improve your gut’s bacterial ecosystem (a.k.a. gastrointestinal microbiome) by eating fibrous plant foods, complex carbohydrates, fermented food, and taking probiotic dietary supplements. Probiotics are “good” bacteria that:
- Supports healthy gut function and digestive health†
- Supports healthy immune system function and a healthy GI tract†
- Supports normal microflora in the gut and normal digestion†
They have metabolic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties crucial in maintaining holistic wellness. Gut microbiome converts food to essential nutrients which are vital in all body functions. Probiotics also attach to the mucous membrane of the digestive tract and improve gut immune system capabilities.
When gut microbiome is thrown out of balance by a combination of factors including age, diet, environment, genes, and medication, the body’s overall health declines. Sometimes probiotics from ingested food are not enough to support and maintain the body. For those with an imbalanced gut ecosystem, probiotic supplements provide an excellent source of beneficial bacteria to promote holistic wellness.
Did you know psychiatrists now prescribe probiotics and prebiotics to their patients? They have discovered that the gut is really the second brain and by settling the gut down it helps to settle our brain down also. When that happens they can then help their patient find the answers directed to their mental health issues.