Probiotics are living bacteria and yeasts living in the body’s digestive system. They are vital to maintaining a healthy gut and overall health. They are considered good bacteria that aid in digestive health and help balance the bad bacteria that are in the body. Health practitioners often recommend supplements and foods for those who experience digestive problems, such as a leaky gut, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and inflammation.
Types of Good Bacteria
There are several types of probiotic strains, each with different benefits. The best way to ensure you take the right probiotics for digestive health is to consult with your health practitioner. Lactobacillus probiotics are the most common type, which is found in yogurt and other fermented foods. These are helpful for those with frequent bowel movements or who can’t digest lactose. Bifidobacterium is found in certain dairy products and can help relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and other conditions. Saccharomyces Boulardii is a yeast that helps fight against diarrhea and other digestive health issues.
Good bacteria help send food through the digestive system by influencing the nerves that control gut movement. Probiotics treat common medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, infectious diarrhea, diarrhea caused by antibiotics, certain skin conditions, urinary and vaginal health problems, allergies and colds, and oral health problems.
There are countless dietary products on the market today that can help treat health issues and improve overall immunity. The best way to choose a supplement is to read product reviews and testimonials from reliable sources such as NHC. The site offers nutritionist-approved nutritional products and professional brands, such as Microbiome Labs Mega SporeBiotic, that promote a healthy gut.
Mega SporeBiotic is a spore-based probiotic supplement that helps maintain a healthy gut barrier and immune function. The spore probiotic blend has a 5-year shelf life, requires no refrigeration, and maintains efficacy when taking antibiotics. The all-spore formula contains five Bacillus spores that remain in dormant form until they reach the large intestine and gastrointestinal tracts. The proprietary probiotic blend includes Bacillus indicus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus licheniformis, and Bacillus clausii.
The probiotic blend offers dual gut health and immune system support, as well as a professional-grade formula, a healthy GI tract, no GMOs or gluten, and no artificial colors or flavors. Each capsule contains a daily value of 340mg of the proprietary probiotic blend. Adults and children over the age of 10 can take two capsules with food daily. The product is considered safe for children under the age of 10; however, it’s important to consult with your healthcare practitioner about recommended serving size.
Probiotics and Children
Research has shown that good bacteria may be beneficial for children and can help reduce their risk of developing certain medical conditions such as autoimmune diseases, allergies, and asthma. The healthy gut microbiome of children isn’t fully developed, which means probiotics may not have as strong of an effect as they do on adults. Children with a compromised immune system or cancer, or those who were premature, could be at increased risk for infections and shouldn’t take probiotics. The best way for children to get enough healthy bacteria to promote gut function and health is through food.
Supplements vs. Probiotic Foods
Good bacteria occur naturally in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, raw cheese, and sauerkraut. It’s always best to get essential nutrients from whole foods; however, supplements are helpful to ensure you get the necessary daily value. It’s not uncommon for food to lose nutrients throughout the manufacturing and storage processes. Not all dietary products on the market today are created equal, and they aren’t well regulated by the FDA. It’s important to carefully read the labels of supplement products and read product reviews on trusted websites.
Before taking any supplement product, always talk to your health practitioner to ensure there’s no risk for negative drug interactions or side effects.
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