Why You Should Take a Good Pro-biotic

Probiotics provide healthy bacteria that are beneficial to the human body. These bacteria live in your GI tract and regulate digestion, neurological function, metabolism and waste elimination. They also have an anti-inflammatory effect, boost your immune function and help get rid of harmful compounds from the body.

Medication, illness, poor nutrition and exposure to toxins can disrupt your natural balance of bacteria and so a good probiotic supplement should be brought in to help reduce harmful bugs in your body and help bring back your natural balance.

1.       Studies have shown that taking a probiotic increases your levels of immune cells that fight off pathogens. They have also shown to increase protective anti-bodies in children, the elderly and athletes.

2.       People who take probiotics tend to have fewer allergies to things like pollen and dust as they stop the body from over-reacting to these allergens.

3.       Probiotics help keep the body regular which can counter constipation and other IBS related symptoms.

4.       During antibiotic treatment it is advised to take a probiotic to help as antibiotics wipe out healthy bacteria. Also, if your bowel movements are very loose, this can lead to dehydration and malnutrition if not corrected quickly. Probiotics can help counter this.

5.       Good bacteria in your gut helps with protein and nutrient absorption. Intense exercise can cause malabsorption which increases inflammatory bacteria and harmful pathogens. Increasing your good bacteria counters this and helps with muscle and tissue repair.

6.       Healthy bacteria improves your metabolic health by lowering oxidative stress. This results in a decrease in inflammation and increase in protective biomarkers. 

7.       Serotonin is a chemical produced in the GI tract. It’s known as the happy chemical and is linked to happiness, satisfaction and relaxation. Studies have shown that those who take certain probiotics have lowered their anxiety, depression and lifted their general mood.

8.       Probiotics can lower blood pressure in people with hypertension and also reduces bad cholesterol (LDL) which narrows arteries.

 

Probiotics are a living organism. If you are going to start taking probiotics, make sure that they are ‘alive’. This means that they are still alive through the expiry date and not just at the time when bottling. They must also reach the intestines alive to have the maximum benefit.

Products should say this on their packaging so look for this before you buy.

 

Louise Kavanagh | Health and Fitness Club Manager | Spencer Health Club