We hear all the time about probiotics, but what are they really? Probiotics are good bacteria that primarily line our gut and help to keep our gut healthy.
Benefits
They are especially important in the digestive system, but also help increase nutrient absorption and support the immune system.
When we think of bacteria we think of something that causes disease, but our bodies are full of bacteria. Probiotics are the good guys.
We can incorporate probiotics through different foods and through supplementation. By incorporating a variety of probiotics, we can offer the body different types of beneficial bacteria to help it in different ways.
Supplementing with Probiotics
When using supplements, you want to try to pick a probiotic that is refrigerated since these are live bacteria and want to choose one containing different strains of friendly bacteria.
There are 7 types of friendly bacteria
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus bulgarius
- Lactobacillus reuteri
- Streptococcus thermopiles
- Saccharomyces boulardii
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bacillus subtilis
Eating Foods Rich in Probiotics
Probiotics food is rich in bacteria, and usually the more fermented the product, the richer in probiotics.
5 Foods Rich in Probiotics
- Miso
This soup made from fermented soy is high in good bacteria.
- Yogurt & Kefir
Rich in lactobacillu, bifidus and acidophilus. Make sure label states live bacteria and choose low sugar products. For individuals with lactose problems, Kefir would be a great option.
- Sauerkraut
This fermented cabbage mixture contains lactobacilli plantarum and has been shown to give the immune system a big boost. Helps with digestion of lactose and great for reducing the growth of yeast (great for women who develop continual yeast infections).
- Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented drink made from tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast. Besides helping with digestion, it has a myriad of benefits such as fighting candida overgrowth, mental clarity, detoxes the liver and helps reduce symptoms of depression and fibromyalgia.
- Kimchi
Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made from salted and fermented vegetables. It is rich in probiotics and great for gut health.
