So What’s the Deal With Probiotics?

Today the health and nutrition industry is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. Supplements alone are expected to reach $175 billion in annual global sales by 2020. One of the latest crazes sweeping the U.S. is probiotics.

The name alone makes many people scratch their heads. Probiotics can be a great addition to your daily regimen of exercise and a balanced diet. You just have to know what to look for and be careful when selecting probiotic products.

What Are Probiotics and What Do They Do?

Stomach problems are very common and can be extremely uncomfortable. Bowel disease, bloating, distension – dealing with these health issues can affect your quality of life and lead to more serious problems like chronic stress.

One solution to many digestive discomforts is probiotics. These are bacteria and yeasts that live in the gut and help you achieve a healthy body by keeping the digestive system in balance. Don’t get spooked by the word “bacteria,” in the case of probiotics, bacteria is a good thing.

In the human body, some bacteria are bad while others are beneficial. The bacterial landscape of your intestines and stomach is constantly changing due to diet, stress and even medications. Probiotics provide protection against the bad bacteria so that everything keeps functioning normally. They are also believed to give the immune system a boost.

Research suggests that probiotics can potentially:

·  Overcome diarrhea

·  Help combat constipation

·  Improve blood sugar levels

·  Treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

·  Prevent and/or treat urinary tract infections

·  Prevent and/or treat vaginal yeast infections

·  Speed up recovery after an intestinal infection

·  Reduce your chances of getting the flu or a cold

If you have been taking antibiotics, probiotics can be particularly beneficial. Antibiotics kill bacteria in the gut, good and bad, which can cause an imbalance that leads to issues like diarrhea.

Not everyone needs to increase their probiotic intake. Many people have enough existing probiotics in their gut to keep things balanced. However, if you’ve been experiencing any of the problems noted above or regularly have an upset stomach, probiotics may help.

Where Do Probiotics Come From?

The good news is there are lots of ways to increase probiotics. You can increase probiotics by eating certain foods or by taking a supplement.

Probiotics, and what’s known as prebiotics (non-digestible carbohydrates that fuel probiotics), are naturally found in some foods. Fermented dairy products like yogurt contain high counts of probiotics. Some fermented vegetables such as kimchi and sauerkraut are good sources of probiotics as well. Food manufacturers are also adding probiotics to other foods that don’t contain them naturally.

One of the most popular ways to get probiotics is through supplements. This is a relatively new form of supplement, but the market is growing very quickly. According to experts at the Berkley Wellness Center, probiotics are big business, one that’s expected to reach $42 billion in sales this year.

What to Look for When You’re Choosing Probiotic Supplements

Whether you’re buying supplements to boost fitness or balance your digestive track, consumers should always proceed with caution. The unfortunate truth is there are Internet retailers that will sell you one thing and ship you another.

The information below will help you decide which probiotics is best for your needs and how to avoid products that provide little to no benefit.

Probiotics can be found in the following forms:

·  Capsules

·  Tablets

·  Lozenges

·  Powders

·  Gums

One of the most important things to know is what kinds of bacteria are used in the probiotic supplement. There are many types of yeasts and bacteria that can be used together or alone, and each one affects the body in different ways.

Red flags to watch out for include:

·  Claims that are unsubstantiated and not supported by research.

·  Manufacturers that fail to tell you where the probiotics are made.

·  Websites or manufacturers that fail to provide the full ingredient list.

·  Supplements that are past their expiration date – probiotics are live microorganisms that can’t do any good if they are dead.

·  Supplements that haven’t been kept in a climate-controlled environment.

·  Supplements with a low level of colony forming units (CFU). This is a measure of potency. Ideally, the CFU should be 10-20 million per dose.

Before taking probiotic supplements, you should discuss the idea with your general practitioner. They can provide additional guidance on what to look for and how to keep your digestive system healthy.