Probiotics have garnered a lot of buzz over the past few yearsand rightly so.
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Ready to learn more about these probiotic perks?
Many people think about bacteria in terms of germs that make you sick.
Butprobioticsare good bacteria that help support health, especially in the digestive tract.
- These friendly bugs are key formaintaining the gut microbiome.
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Where can you get them?
Probiotic bacteria are found infermented foodslike yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and tempeh.
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When you take a probiotic supplement, youadd more of these good bugs to your gut.
AsRobert Rountree, M.D., renowned integrative physician, explains it, “The probiotics are like good cops.
And the reason for that might have to do with how microbes help us break down food.
“Certain bacteria are better at extracting energy from food than others,” says Rountree.
“It’s that simple.”
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“You have bacteria on your skin and all over your body.
In this case, both oral andtopical probioticscan help, but are certainly not one and the same.
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There are also benefits to blood pressure.
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Probiotics for women.
Can getting more probiotics also help your vaginal microbiome?
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Regular yogurt consumption, a probiotic-rich food,is tied to19healthier levels of vaginal bacteria as well.
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Probiotics for men.
Is what’s good for the gut also good for the gonads?
When it comes to couples who are trying to get pregnant, the science is promising.
Experts are still studying and learning how differenttypes of probioticsdeliver their unique health benefits.
(A typical probiotic supplement contains anywhere from 1 to 50 billion CFUs per serving.)
The CFU count of each probiotic strain should meet or exceed the level it was studied via clinical research.
The more strains, typically the higher the CFU count as a result.
Higher CFU counts aren’t necessarily more potent than lower ones, though, says theNational Institutes of Health26.
As Rountree sums it up, “More doesn’t necessarily equal better.”
If a product has an expiration date, the CFU count is good up until that date.
Probiotic-rich foods
Fermented foods are a delicious way to reap some of thesame benefits as probiotic supplements27.
As for how much you should takeand how often?
If you’re generally healthy, it’s fine totake a probiotic supplement every day, King says.
It’s also worth incorporatingprobiotic foodsinto your dietthink yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, or tempeh.
They will be able to offer more specific guidance based on the health area you’re trying to support.
Finally, pay attention to how your probiotic supplement makes you feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are signs a probiotic is working?
You may experience less bloating, improved regularity, and more gut comfort overall.
- Learn more about how to tell if your probiotic is workinghere.
How long do probiotics take to work?
Results and time vary from person to person, but in general most peoplesee benefits in two weeks.
What are the signs you need probiotics?
Read more about what the experts sayhere.
The takeaway.
The gut microbiome is made up of trillions of bacteria living in your small intestine.
Consuming probiotic foods andsupplementscan help support good bacteria in the gut and can be greatly beneficial for overall health.
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