Did you know? The human body will be filled with 100 trillion bacterial cells in managed populations throughout your entire life! If these population groups become unregulated in the body, disease or illness may occur (especially in the gut, where a lot of these bacteria are present). The relationship between the human and these organisms in one of the foundations of disease. Achieving the right balance is crucial to our health, which is why many people take probiotics to help to maintain this harmony.
Probiotics are made from live bacteria and yeasts that are great for your gut. Here’s what you should look for when choosing one of these supplements.
Multiple Strains of Bacteria
Probiotics are stronger as a team rather than as individual players. This is why it’s important to find a probiotic supplement that has at least 7 strains of bacteria in it. These strains will work together to provide your body with a lot of amazing benefits, including improved immune function and digestive health.
Additionally, having 7 types of good bacteria in your supplement helps your gut fight the take-over of disease. Once the good bacteria exists in the right quantities and us working synergistically with the body, you’ll start to feel the amazing health benefits.
Potency
In order for a probiotic supplement to be effective, your daily dose must meet a certain potency. This is mainly referred to as Colony Forming Units – or CFU’s. CFU’s simply mean the number of active live organisms within the supplement. With that in mind, the minimum potency you should look out for is 1 billion CFU. This might sound like a lot, but humans have an average of 100 trillion bacteria in their bodies at all times.
So, in order to give your body enough of the good kind, it’s important to find a probiotic supplement that meets this minimum requirement.
Choose One That Works For You
Different probiotics have different benefits, so finding the best one for your particular needs is super important. While most probiotics will have some sort of good effect on your health, knowing which strains are best for your particular issues can maximise their effect on your body.
While most supplements have the benefits listed on the box or bottle, this is not always representative of the exact effect, so make sure to consult your health professional.
Sources of Probiotics in Food
You don’t have to take a tablet every day to get your daily dose of probiotics. There are many delicious and healthy foods that naturally contain great bacteria, so it can be helpful to include a good serving of these in your diet. Foods that are rich in good bacteria include yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh and kimchi. Try adding one of these to your sandwich, wrap, salad or stir-fry!
It’s important to note, however, that good bacteria may no longer be alive if the fermented food is over-processed. Therefore, it’s best to find a brand of fermented food that is as natural as possible, ensuring you can get all the amazing probiotic benefits from it along the way.
