What’s the Scoop on Probiotics?
What’s the Scoop on Probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host” (Hill, et. al, 2014). Many of us have been told or heard that we should be taking one, but I have some additional thoughts on probiotics for you to consider.
Our gut lining is made up of beneficial bacteria and pathogenic bacteria. When there is an imbalance in the two, then symptoms occur. Most Americans have what is known as a leaky gut where the tight junctions in the gut lining are no longer tight and beneficial bacteria can’t find its home. Here’s the bummer…Probiotics won’t bring back good bacteria that has been permanently lost in the gut. Your best bet is to feed the good bacteria that already exist with foods called prebiotics. These are what help those beneficial bacteria populate and take over the spots for the pathogenic bacteria. Prebiotics are found in foods like leeks, artichokes, garlic, onions, and beans.
Probiotics can be very useful if used for a specific reason and if using a specific strain. Many probiotics out there do not even list the specific strain and may not provide live strains. A good way to tell if you have a good probiotic is if the strain has a series of numbers after it. This number tells the specific strain. Probiotics can assist in supporting many conditions such as high cholesterol, reflux, hay fever, anxiety, the list goes on, and only if the specific researched strain is used. Make sure if you are taking a probiotic, you aren’t wasting your money and consult with a trained healthcare practitioner to identify which strain you need.
Continue to support the gut by consuming probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi and pickles. Also, don’t forget to feed those friendly bacteria with prebiotics and colonic foods/fiber.
To learn more about gut health and the use of probiotics, check out my website to enroll in the Gut Health online class. Also, if you need specific support in this area, it may be time to schedule your individualized nutrition assessment with me so we can develop a plan together to address your health concerns.
Hill C, Guarner F, Reid G, Gibson GR, Merenstein DJ, Pot B, Morelli L, Canani RB, Flint HJ, Salminen S et al: Expert consensus document: The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2014, 11(8):506-514
