Are Probiotics Good for You?

You’ll find that probiotics are a mixture of good bacteria, yeast, and live cultures that are naturally occurring in the body. The trouble you may encounter is the fact that the ecosystem of the gut can be disrupted very easily. This probably explains why probiotics have gained such popularity in recent years, resulting in many of us adding them to our everyday lifestyle and routine.

The reason why probiotics are so effective is the fact that although the gut’s microbiome contains over one trillion bacteria it is highly diverse with everyone having their own unique microbiome cells. This often leads to an imbalance that can easily disrupt your overall health. So, with that in mind, we are going to find out more about probiotics and figure out are they good for you?

What are dangers of taking probiotics?

The bacteria and microbes found in probiotics are already present in the body they are generally considered safe to introduce into your everyday routine. However, like all forms of supplements you can expect some side effects, such as mild stomach upset, diarrhea, bloating and gas. These side effects only occur during the first few days of starting probiotics and should subside after a while.

Having said that, if you have any of the following such as,

• A weakened immune system
• Suffering from critical illness
• Recovering from recent surgery

Then I would suggest you contact your doctor before taking any form of probiotics supplement to ensure it is the best option for you. If you don’t consult with your GP and decide to take the supplements word of warning, you may suffer from the following concerns.

• Higher risk of developing an infection
• Suffer from harmful byproducts of the probiotic supplement
• Build a resistance to antibiotics

It is of the highest importance that you do not self-medicate or introduce any new products into your daily routine without speaking to a medical professional.

Is it good to take probiotics every day?

Yes, it is safe to take probiotics every day. As long as you have ensured you are safe to use them, taking probiotics on a daily basis will ensure your gut remains healthy and balanced. Of course, taking probiotics every day is not necessarily something you need to do. Many feeling that periodically taking probiotics whenever they feel they need a little support with their gut health. Others are far more methodically understanding them as the gut’s microbiome combats various challenges, from processed food, stress, and environmental aggressors. Once you have established a good gut flora it is generally considered a good idea to maintain it, trust me, you’ll really see a difference.

If you are wanting a little harder evidence, there are several studies showing how daily intake of probiotics, in any form from tablet to probiotic rich food such as yoghurt, sauerkraut, tempeh or sourdough bread, you will find there is an all-over improvement in your gut’s health.

What are the signs you need probiotics?

You’ll be amazed that some of these concerns are related to your gut’s flora needing help with probiotics. If you find yourself suffering from any of the following it may be a good idea to consider introducing probiotics.

• Poor digestion

This is something that can be easily targeted with the help from probiotics. Almost ninety percent of the live cultures and bacteria in the body are found in the colon. If there is an imbalance you will find your digestion is the first thing to suffer. Introducing an effective strain of probiotics will maintain and regulate your bowl movements reducing any side effects of bloating and gas.

• Skin concerns

It’s hard to believe but the health of your gut plays an important role in keeping your skin in its healthiest state. With certain skin concerns such as eczema, psoriasis and frequent redness and rashes, probiotics will be able to calm the gut flora and keep your skin glowing with any of the mentioned conditions dramatically improved. 

• Antibiotics

Of course, antibiotics are highly successful medicines, but there is a downside to them. Because antibiotics are so successful at killing off any nasty and harmful bacteria, they do have a habit of killing off every type of bacteria, even the ones needed to keep your body healthy. By taking probiotics you will introduce good bacteria back into the gut and calm any inflammation resulting in a balanced microbiome of the gut.

Before using probiotics, I do advise you consult with a doctor to ensure you are safe to use them to avoid any unwanted reactions.

Do probiotics detox the body?

Yes, they do, by taking daily probiotics you are boosting the number of good bacteria in the gut. This will result in you detoxifying your system and enabling the gut to absorb nutrients more effectively. It is considered that after taking antibiotics the imbalance of good bacteria will have negative results which can last a considerable amount of time, even after you’ve stop taking your course of antibiotics.

Are probiotics bad for the heart?

No, in fact they are a safe addition into your daily routine. Due to the fact they are natural and already occurring in the body, probiotics can influence the cholesterol levels which will reduce the amount of cholesterol absorb from the food you eat.

Can long term use of probiotics be harmful?

Yes and no, this is very much dependent on your overall health. If you find you are having trouble with your immune system, suffering from long term illness, and currently taking antibiotics probiotics could lead to any negative systems to worsen over time. Therefore, it is so important to check with a doctor before introducing probiotics into your daily routine.

What happens to your body when you start taking probiotics?

As I have already mentioned the live cultures found in probiotics are already present in the body so are generally considered safe. But there are a couple of short-term side effects that will occur such as, bloating, gas, diarrhea and mild stomach aches. These will often subside after a few days of taking probiotics, but if they persist consult with your doctor.

So, I hope that this clears up a few things for you about whether probiotics are good for you. Don’t forget to come and join us over on Instagram and you can also shop through our range of probiotics that are available on our website.