Basically, you don’t need probiotics to make your body healthy. However, these microorganisms can help nourish your digestion and protect it from harmful bacteria, just as the “good” bacteria in your body already do. So, if you don’t have to increase your intake of probiotics, will your body still get good benefits from these micro-organisms? Check out the explanation below.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of organisms in the gut. The normal human digestive tract contains about 400 types of probiotic bacteria that can reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and improve the health of the digestive system. Most of the probiotics used in health supplements are bifidobacterium and lactobacillus strains.
Probiotics help restore the number of good bacteria in the body that may have been depleted by the use of certain antibiotics or medications. Probiotics are recommended for people suffering from chronic yeast infections, constipation (difficult bowel movements) , diarrhea, as well as gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections. Probiotics are also believed to be able to boost the immune system and control weight. Understanding the Differences of Probiotics and Prebiotics for Health
Where can we find probiotics?
You can consume probiotics from fermented food products such as yogurt, sauerkraut, dark chocolate, pickles, and also kimchi. Yogurt contains high levels of lactobacillus and acidophilus which increase the levels of good bacteria in your body.
Apart from food, you can also find probiotics in supplements. Probiotic supplements are currently available in various types of preparations. Starting from capsules, and syrup, to powder.
How much probiotics can be consumed per day?
There is no set dosage to determine how much probiotics should be consumed each day. Research from the University of Maryland Medical Center states that Lactobacillus acidophilus, which is the most commonly used type of probiotic, may be recommended in doses of around 1 billion to 15 billion CFU (colony-forming units) per day. However, in packaged yogurt and similar products, it is rare to include the CFU number.
Consumer Reports noted in 2011 that most yogurt products contain CFU ranging from 90 billion to 500 billion per serving. Meanwhile, probiotic supplements generally offer 20 to 70 billion CFU.
In addition, what you need to pay attention to is that the amount of probiotics needed by each person is different, depending on several factors such as body conditions and certain diseases they suffer from.
Are there any side effects from consuming probiotics?
The first time you take probiotics, you may experience symptoms such as bloating, headaches or skin rashes. Generally, these symptoms will decrease over time. You can take probiotics indefinitely. Unless you have an allergy to milk. If you have an allergic reaction to lactobacillus, acidophilus, bifidobacterium, or Streptococcus thermophilus, then you need to think again about taking probiotics.
You still need to consult your doctor when deciding to take probiotic supplements. Talk to your doctor if you have a health problem that might be causing your body to react negatively with probiotics.
If you have a weakened immune system, you will usually not be advised to take probiotics because they can increase your risk of certain infections.