10 Reasons Probiotics Should Be a Regular Part of Your Diet
Posted on October 02, 2020
Source:
woman's day
PROBIOTICS CAN BE PARTICULARLY BENEFICIAL FOR WOMEN
There's still a lot to be discovered about probiotics, says Dr. Holly Thacker of Cleveland Clinic. One thing that's for sure, however, is that your gastrointestinal (GI) health can play an important role in your bodily functions. "A lot of different medical conditions, from cardiovascular to autoimmune to cancers to even potentially mood, that can be affected by the food you eat," Dr. Thacker tells Woman's Day. "Obviously, there’s a complex interaction between the food and the bacteria in your intestines, and then interactions with other substances and gut hormones that your body makes."
1. They Keep Your Other Organs Healthy
The human body is connected in ways you my not even realize. The gut, which is what probiotics help with the most, interacts with the brain and lots of other organ systems, Dr. Thacker explains. "Eating healthy food so you have a healthy gut microbiome is key to lots of different illnesses, not just GI," she says.
2. They Help With Gut Health
As you probably know, probiotics are mostly used to maintain your gastrointestinal tract healthy and functioning properly. So, if you have a GI illness, taking a probiotic could be extremely helpful for you. If you have a normal gut function and do not have any issues, a daily probiotic is not necessary.
3. They Prevent Urinary Tract Infections
If you're one of the 40-60% of women who experience urinary tract infections, or UTIs, with some regularity, you may benefit from popping probiotics.
4. They Bolster Immunity
If you get sick often, probiotics might be the immune booster you've been looking for. The Cleveland Clinic says they've been shown to strengthen immunity by enriching and replenishing the good bacteria in the body. And when you eat foods with probiotics regularly, it's easier for your body to produce vitamins and enzymes that help keep your intestines happy.
5. They Restore Good Bacteria
You know antibiotics can help fight off bacterial infections, but overusing them can actually deplete the good bacteria in your body, reports Harvard Medical School. (That's why doctors recommend you don't take antibiotics unless you really need them.) If you must go on meds, talk with your doctor about taking probiotics afterward, as the NCCIH says they can help recover beneficial microorganisms afterward and help keep the ratio of good to bad bacteria in balance.
6. They Prevent Traveler's Diarrhea
Look for one that contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus sporogenes, Bifidophilus bifidum, and Sacchromyces boulardii
strains, as they can improve your intestinal health to fix issues with constipation or diarrhea.
7. They Improve Fertility
Research shows that having a good ratio of certain probiotic strains can improve getting pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider about what probiotics may work best for you.
8. They Treat Vaginal Infections
Probiotics can ward off vaginal yeast infections, urogenital infections, and bacterial vaginosis by keeping the vaginal microbiome in balance.
9. They Clear Up Skin Problems
The benefits of probiotics don't stop at internal health. Research from the American Academy of Dermatology found that, whether applied topically or taken orally, probiotics can potentially help patients with skin issues such as acne, rosacea, and eczema. More studies need to be done though, so talk to your dermatologist before changing your regular routine.
10. They Boost Digestion
Those microbes in your lower intestinal tract are responsible for helping you digest food. Probiotics may also help reduce gastrointestinal symptoms, including gas, bloating, and constipation, according to Harvard Medical School.