When it comes to popular trends of the moment, taking care of your gut health is one you don’t want to ignore. Gut health refers to the health of your gastrointestinal system, which includes your mouth, esophagus (food tract), stomach, small and large intestines, and anal cavity. There are different bacteria, viruses and fungi in our digestive system. While some are harmful, others are beneficial and promote overall good health. Let’s get into the best probiotics for your gut health to ensure that your good bacteria is thriving and plentiful.
Meet the Expert: Dr. Diana Rangaves writes for 21Ninety’s as a health and wellness expert. She is a pharmacist, philanthropist, and ethics professor turned writer, holding a Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of California. She also serves as the Executive Editor and Chief Content Officer for Healthcare Worldwide Central and has published several works in medical and pharmaceutical publications, academic books, as well as, scholarly articles.
Effects of Poor Gut Health
High stress levels, too little sleep and increased antibiotic intake may trigger poor gut health. These lead to your body reacting, and some signs of poor gut health include fatigue and gastrointestinal issues. It means that your stomach may start experiencing upsets, heartburn, gas, bloating, and, in some cases, constipation. Some other effects it may have on your body include skin conditions and autoimmune illnesses.
What Is the Importance of Good Gut Health?
Good gut health is essential for the body to work optimally. A healthy gut supports effective digestion in the body. It supports breaking down food and ensuring the effective absorption of nutrients. When this balance is created, you are less likely to suffer gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, diarrhea, gas, and constipation. Effective absorption of nutrients helps support overall good health.
A portion of your immune system is found in the gut. Therefore, if the balance of the microbes is correct, your immune system will improve and remain stable. The gut will also eliminate harmful pathogens, keeping you healthy. When you have a healthy gut, this also has a positive effect on your mental health and mood. Research suggests that there is a link between the gut and the brain. With a good mood, you experience reduced chances of suffering from anxiety, depression, and stress.
Having an imbalanced gut bacterium is linked to obesity and metabolic disorders. A healthy gut supports food digestion and any other metabolic activity, effectively reducing the risk of cardiovascular illnesses and maintaining good cholesterol levels. In that same vein, good gut health will promote healthy skin, reducing instances of skin conditions such as acne and eczema. It also helps in preventing autoimmune disorders and gastrointestinal conditions.
What Are the Benefits of Probiotics?
Probiotics are live organisms that are found in food and have health benefits once you consume them. Probiotics add bacteria to the body, helping balance the gut’s health. Each probiotic affects the body and is mainly found in fermented foods. Some of the advantages of consuming probiotics include making the immune systems stronger and reducing the risk of suffering from illnesses. Another benefit of probiotics is boosting your gastrointestinal health. They help restore balance by adding to the beneficial bacteria that have replenished in the body.
Probiotics consumption also helps make allergic reactions, constipation, and bloating less severe. It also boosts digestion, promotes mental well-being, and helps manage weight. In some instances, probiotics also help in reducing allergies during childhood. Therefore, ensure to add that probiotic to your baby’s diet.
Recommended Probiotic Brands
The first recommended probiotic is Dr. Formulated Garden of Life Probiotic for Women. It contains probiotics which are suitable for the immune system, digestive system, and vaginal health. The second one is probiotics from New Rhythm, which aim to maintain the digestive and immune health systems. The third is the Physician’s Choice Women’s Probiotic, which is a daily probiotic capsule made with cranberry extract. Before making any purchases, speak to a qualified medical doctor who will help you choose to reduce risks associated with harmful effects on people with a compromised immune system.
Recommended Probiotic Foods Good for Gut Health
Including probiotics in your daily diet significantly improves your gut health. Some examples of probiotics foods are:
Yogurt
It is one of the best sources of probiotics. It has good bacteria, which helps keep your gut healthy. It may help ease lactose intolerance and reduce the risk of diabetes and other stomach problems. As you purchase the yogurt, ensure that you purchase one that indicates that it has a live or active culture, as sometimes processing kills these beneficial bacteria.
Sauerkraut
These are made from fermented cabbages. It is a good source of healthy bacteria for your gut called the Lactobacillus bacteria. To get this benefit to ensure to purchase the refrigerated sauerkraut and check the label to make sure that it includes the active and live cultures for gut health.
Kefir
It is fermented milk, which is rich in antibiotics. Kefir is said to have more beneficial bacteria than yogurt. It may help in reducing the risk of cardiovascular illness.
Pickles
Cucumbers have been preserved in a solution containing salt and water. When left to ferment for some time, their lactic acid bacteria make them sour and a great source of probiotics. If you want probiotics from the pickles, do not make them from vinegar, as you will lose the live probiotics.
Cheese
Most cheese is fermented, but not all contains probiotics. Therefore, in any cheese labeling, look for one that indicates the presence of live or active cultures. Some examples of cheese that contain probiotics include cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda.
Other foods containing probiotics include miso, tempeh and kombucha. Probiotics are becoming popular because of their health benefits, and for people getting supplements, understanding which supplements to take is beneficial for picking the right antibiotic for your health condition.