You may have heard of friends or family taking probiotics as a supplement. However, you may not know what they are, what they do, or who they are for? That’s why we’re here to help explain who may find probiotics helpful and when you should take them.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are a certain type of friendly microorganism that provides health benefits when eaten. Although you may normally think of a microorganism or bacteria as germs that cause diseases, your body is actually full of both good and bad bacteria. Probiotics are often called the “good” or “helpful” bacteria because they are live and are good for your digestive system and gut. You can find probiotics as a supplement most of the time, however, they are in some foods such as yogurt as well.
How do probiotics work?
Probiotics may have a variety of effects in the body, and different probiotics may act in different ways. They help send food through your gut by affecting the nerves that control your gut movement. Probiotics may help your body by assisting in maintaining a healthy community of microorganisms should they have been disturbed. They may also influence your body’s immune response in a positive way.
Who are probiotics useful for?
Probiotics are often recommended for people who may have digestive problems. They may help you if you have diarrhea, especially if it’s linked to specific antibiotics. It can also help those with inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Probiotics can sometimes help these diseases from relapsing or getting worse. Probiotics can also help those with irritable bowel syndrome. They can sometimes help ease symptoms, including stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
If you feel like you may benefit from a probiotic, and are struggling with some of these symptoms, you can grab this one now and see the positive health benefits that probiotics may bring you!
