Probiotics 101
You've probably heard of probiotics, but if you are like most people, you're probably not exactly sure what they are or what they are supposed to be good for. Well, wonder no more; this guide will give you the lowdown.
What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are microorganisms that live in in your body. They are comprised of yeasts and bacteria that are symbiotic, or mutually beneficial, to both the host- you- and the organism. Usually, bacteria and yeasts are thought of negatively, but in actuality, the human body requires good yeasts and bacteria. They help keep the digestive tract healthy, which in turn, helps keep the rest of the body healthy. Sometimes, this natural flora and fauna can get out of balance. This can happen as a result of illness, stress, and taking antibiotics for a bacterial infection. Antibiotics can't differentiate between the good bacteria that is good for you and the bad bacteria that isn't; the medicine kills them all.
What Happens When You Are Lacking Probiotics?
If a course of antibiotics or a bout of an illness or stress leave you run down, your system will be out of balance. Other things can cause it to get out of whack as well. Here are five signs your body need's probiotics.
- Food Poisoning: Food poisoning causes extreme diarrhea, among other things. It also adds bad bacteria to your gut. Adding probiotics will help get it balanced again.
- Yeast Infections: If you continually find yourself with vaginal yeast infections, oral thrush, or a white tongue, chances are you have an overgrowth of bad bacteria.
- Digestion Issues: Chronic diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and ulcers cause by the bacterium H. pylori are just a few of the gut issues that supplemental probiotics can help with.
- Skin Problems: Eczema, rashes, psoriasis, hives, acne and more are often attributed to being a visible sign of something wrong in the digestive tract. Adding probiotics to the diet can help drastically improve these chronic skin conditions.
- Emotional Problems: Anxiety, mood disorders, depression, sleep disturbances, and fatigue can all be the result of a digestive system that isn't properly absorbing and distributing nutrients and hormones. This can lead to a whole host of problems.
How Does One Get More Probiotics?
You can add probiotics to your body by eating fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, and kefir, a fermented beverage similar to yogurt. However, many people either don't like these foods or simply don't want to eat them every day. This is where quality daily dietary supplemental probiotics like Fortizel come in handy. Speak to your local health food store for more information.