The human gut is home to microorganisms known as probiotics. These probiotics also exist in the lungs, skin, mouth, and more of a human, and they serve a vital purpose. Good and bad bacteria live in the gut. If the bad bacteria outnumber the good bacteria, health problems can arise. Probiotics help to restore the natural balance of the gut to reduce the risk of these health issues.
Restoring this Balance
When the balance of bacteria in the gut is thrown off, it can be hard to restore. A person might find they need a probiotic colon cleanse to achieve this goal. This process involves flushing the gut with the help of fiber and laxatives. Once the gut is empty, supplements are used to soothe the lining of the gut. These supplements also help to prevent further damage. Next, the person takes probiotics to restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut.
How a Probiotic Colon Cleanse Helps
Probiotics are used for more than restoring the natural balance of bacteria in the gut. They help individuals struggling with diarrhea, whether the diarrhea is caused by antibiotic use or many other causes.
The use of probiotics is of benefit to individuals suffering from many mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. They may also benefit men and women who have allergies or eczema, although more research needs to be done in this area.
Research shows that probiotics can help keep a person’s heart healthy by lowering bad cholesterol levels. They often help those who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, although probiotics don’t have much effect on Crohn’s disease.
In addition, certain strains of probiotics appear to help individuals lose weight. However, before taking probiotics, a person must learn which strains these are, as other strains have been shown to lead to the user gaining weight.
Increasing Probiotics in the Gut
Some people maintain the natural balance of bacteria in the gut by eating foods that contain probiotics. Foods high in live probiotic cultures are fermented. This includes many yogurts and milk drinks today. However, there are other dietary sources of probiotics a person should not overlook.
For instance, pickled vegetables, sauerkraut, and soy products might contain lactic acid bacteria. Miso soup and sourdough bread are other dietary sources of probiotics today. Food labels typically share information about the number of probiotics in the product and the probiotic strain. However, a person should not overlook supplementing with probiotics to ensure they get the health benefits of good bacteria.
Choosing a Probiotic Supplement
Many manufacturers today offer probiotic supplements. Consumers need to know what to look for when choosing a supplement to ensure they get the desired benefits.
The supplements come in powder, tablet, and capsule form and contain good bacteria in dried form. Nevertheless, a person must know which probiotics survive the digestive tract and which are destroyed by stomach acid before they reach the intended destination.
In addition, a person must know the proper dosage. Experts typically recommend a dosage of 1 billion to 100 billion live organisms daily. Taking this amount isn’t as difficult as many people imagine.
Some people experience gas and bloating when taking probiotics, and a person must take care when using probiotics if they have allergies. Certain supplements contain allergens, such as dairy, the user must know about. However, with the right supplement, most people find they improve their gut health, so this is one supplement every person should consider taking.
