Probiotics are live organisms such as bacteria or yeast. The word probiotic literally means promotion of life. You have essential bacteria in your body but this can become depleted causing health difficulties. Taking probiotics can supplement any deficiencies in your body and restore balance. If taking probiotics in capsule form, ensure you source the highest quality so that they have the desired effect. You can also include foods in your diet that are high in probiotics. Fermented foods such as natural yogurt, aged cheeses and tempeh all contain high amounts of live ingredients. Sauerkraut, Miso Soup and pickles are also beneficial.

Probiotics replenish and support good bacteria in the body

Bacteria, in the digestive tract, is necessary for the breakdown and absorption of essential nutrients. There are 1000 different types of bacteria in the digestive system. With adequate amounts of good bacteria, you absorb proteins, carbohydrates, fats, water, vitamins and minerals ensuring that your body is supported at every level.

Probiotics help good bacteria strengthen our immunity

By ensuring the absorption of adequate nutrition you strengthen your bodys immunity. You need a balance of good and bad bacteria in the body for a strong immune system. You want as high as 85% good bacteria, or the equivalent of two thirds good bacteria, for a high performing immune system.

Good bacteria is vital but often depleted

Bacteria in the body is essential for maintaining good health. However, there are many factors that contribute to a reduction in good bacteria and an increase in bad bacteria. Certain medicines contribute to the eradication of good bacteria. In its ability to kill illness by wiping out bad bacteria, it also slays good bacteria. Aggressive medical treatments can eradicate much of the healthy bacteria. Stress can also contribute to the strengthening of bad bacteria in the gut. So too, a poor diet, particularly one of processed foods, or refined sugars. Taking probiotics will encourage the good bacteria to flourish. As it thrives, bad bacteria is reduced.

Probiotics boost a body after using antibiotics

Antibiotics are known to affect the bacteria in your gut. It is advised to take probiotics after a dose of this drug. It doesnt have to be recent use for it to have made a difference to your body. Antibiotics taken as a child may have caused an imbalance which is still active today. Additionally, feeding antibiotics to livestock has become more common in recent times. Therefore, if youve eaten any meat, or dairy, that has not been strictly vetted, chances are you have unwittingly consumed antibiotics. Use probiotics to redress any imbalance and source organic products from now on.

Probiotics help prevent illness and disease

If you do not have enough healthy bacteria, you will not properly absorb, and essentially digest, the necessary amounts of vitamins, minerals and nutrients from your food. Without the necessary nourishment, you become susceptible to a whole host of illness. A lack of calcium can precipitate osteoporosis. A lack of iron can cause anemia. Skin conditions, including acne, often clear when we include probiotics in our diets. A lack of essential vitamins and minerals can also leave you feeling depleted of energy. Food sources often contain powerful antioxidants also. These fight against free radicals in the body. Properly absorbing antioxidants will reduce the risk of diseases such as cancer.

Probiotics help the good bacteria fight the bad bacteria

Take probiotics to ensure there is plenty of good bacteria and less bad bacteria. Too much of the unwanted bacteria can cause fungus problems. Yeast infections such as candida thrush, athletes foot and bacterial vaginosis are common and can be reoccurring. These conditions are a sure sign there is an imbalance of bacteria in your intestinal tract. Bad breath can also be a warning sign. The unwanted bacteria can be responsible for problems with the urinary tract also. Without helpful bacteria to fight it off, it can invade the urinary tract.

Probiotics are anti-inflammatory

Probiotics act in the body as an anti-inflammatory so can help reduce a number of inflammatory conditions. Common complaints that daily probiotics may help with are abdominal pains, gas, vomiting, sickness, diarrhea and IBS. Consult with your doctor before taking.

Deficiencies in the gut affect our mood

When the balance of supportive and unsupportive bacteria in your gut is upset, so too is your mind. As a war rages in your intestinal tract it signals to your brain that all is not well. Your brain responds by releasing hormones associated with stress and danger. One of the repercussions of this is poor digestion. This perpetuates the cycle. Additionally, the hindered absorption of essential nutrients associated with the deficiency of good bacteria can cause disruptions in mood.

Healthy gut flora can prevent cancer

With healthy bacteria flourishing in your intestinal tract, enzymes are nourished which limits the production of cancerous tumors. Furthermore, proper absorption of antioxidants contained in foods reduces the risk of developing cancer.