5 Things You Need to Know About Probiotics Supplements

Probiotics are a well-known group of supplements that enhances digestive health. These supplements influence the growth of good bacteria when consumed positively. But, you might ask yourself whether you need to consume these best probiotics supplements. No need to worry because in this article, you’ll learn the five things you need to know about probiotic supplements so you can decide.

An Overview of Probiotics

Probiotics can come in many forms, such as food, supplements, and cosmetics. Probiotics, when used or consumed, provide health benefits to the individual, and they can be the following as listed below:

• Maintains the concentration of good bacteria inside the body
• Produces hormones or substances that provide positive effects to the body
• Influences the body’s immune responses, sparing the good bacteria from the bad
• Promotes good gastrointestinal health and prevents digestive disorders

Notes to Consider on Probiotics

Now, you might be looking for the best probiotics supplements. But before you’d start purchasing them, here are some notes to consider and to know about using Probiotics. You’ll need to make some considerations before settling in to purchase probiotics. Here they are as listed:

1. The Effect of Probiotics Takes a Few Days Before it Kicks in

It takes a few days, maybe up to five days, before the benefits of probiotics kick in, as they need to build up a presence first. The probiotics build up your immune response and gut barrier and influence the microbe population. Once the effects kick in, the good bacteria thrive while the bad bugs starve out.

You’ll want to consume probiotics at least five days per week daily. The good bacteria will eventually leave your body, so probiotic consumption will maintain their population healthy.

2. Consult your Doctor First

For the most part, probiotics are safe to consume, but you’ll need to check with your doctor just to be sure. People with certain disorders, such as Celiac Disease, may require a consultation first. Also, you’ll need to check the probiotic supplement’s ingredients; you don’t want an allergy shock.

If you get a “Go” signal from your doctor, take your probiotics daily. However, follow the instructions in consumption, and some probiotics require refrigeration so their benefits won’t deteriorate.

3. Add Dairy when Consuming Probiotics

Consuming milk, yogurt, and cheese ensures that the good bacteria will have food in your gut. Consuming your probiotics with dairy ensures they’ll arrive safely in the intestines. That’s because your dairy products will neutralize the acids along the digestive tract.

4. Strain Quality over Quantity

It may seem tempting to take a probiotic for ten different strains, but it’s not the case. You may be better off taking a probiotic formula used for a single but lab-tested good bacteria strain.

5. Supplement your probiotics with prebiotics!

If you aim to retain the good bacteria inside your gut, you’d want to consume prebiotics alongside probiotics. Prebiotic food has organic fibers that serve as additional food for the good bacteria in your intestines. The presence of additional food only makes the good bacteria stay longer in your gastrointestinal system.

Prebiotic food includes asparagus, onions, garlic, legumes, fruits, and grains. These food are rich in dietary fibers that good bacteria enjoy. Fibers, when paired with protein, will ensure that the good bugs stay in your intestines to keep them well-maintained.

These are the notes for you to consider when consuming probiotic supplements. It all boils down to consulting with your doctor first. Then consuming the right probiotic supplement and waiting for the effects to kick in. Once the effects occur, maintaining a good bacteria population will be your long-term focus.

The Bottom Line about Probiotics

Probiotics have a lot of health benefits that they can provide to a person’s digestive system. They take time before the effects finally kick in, as probiotics must build a presence in the body first. Once they do, they influence the bacteria population in the body, in which the good bacteria will thrive, and the bad ones will starve.

With a thriving good bacteria population, your body is set to have good gastrointestinal health. Diarrhea, constipation, and related disorders will become a thing of the past. However, you’ll still do your part in maintaining the good bugs in your body to reap the benefits in the long run.

References:

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a34515/probiotics/

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/probiotics-101#gut-health

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics-what-you-need-to-know