Are Probiotics Good For You?

Are probiotics a new fad or is there research-backed evidence that these are indeed good for health? Let’s take a look at this question through this article. 

Probiotics are live microorganisms that are consumed in their natural form or from dietary supplements. These are also known as “good” bacteria.  

In the gut, there are many bacteria and microorganisms that help with the process of digestion. These beneficial bacteria live in many places in the body such as the gut, mouth, skin, and lungs. So, they are highly beneficial for a person. The common types of probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. There is also yeast in the probiotics and one common type of yeast is Saccharomyces boulardii.

Whether to consume probiotics, one should consult with the best gastroenterologist in Kolkata. The doctor will help you decide whether or not it’s necessary to take probiotics. 

How do Probiotics Work?

Probiotics maintain a healthy balance of bacteria. In your stomach, there are good bacteria and bad bacteria. The balance between the two is maintained naturally. Good bacteria keep you healthy by helping your immune system and controlling inflammation. 

Some of the other functions of good bacteria are: 

• Helps your body digest food

• Creates vitamins

• Maintains a balance with bad bacteria

• Helps the cells that line your stomach

• Breaks down and absorbs medication

Which medical conditions are helped with probiotics? 

There exists a lot of research on probiotics. However, there is nothing conclusive about the effect of probiotics on health. It has been known to show some amount of good benefits for certain conditions, however. Here are some of the diseases that probiotics are good for: 

• Diarrhoea

• Constipation

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Yeast infections

• UTI 

• Gum disease

• Lactose intolerance

How should I increase the probiotics in my body? 

You can increase the probiotics in your body with your daily diet or through supplements. 

Dairy foods and fermented foods are a place where a lot of good microbes are found. Fermented drinks are also very popular sources of good microbes. You can also get probiotics from supplements. However, consult with your doctor so that you can be sure of what you are taking. 

Some of the foods that have probiotics are: 

• Yoghurt

• Pickles

• Kombucha

• Kefir 

• Buttermilk

• Sourdough bread

• Tempeh

• Kimchi

• Sauerkraut

• Miso soup

Are probiotics good for you? 

Yes, probiotics are good for health but you should consult with your local doctor as there is a lot of research that is pending on the same. Hence, it will take some more years for the link between probiotics and gut health to be established. 

Wrapping Up 

Probiotics are good bacteria. These are bacteria that help to digest food. They are found in foods like yoghurt, pickles, etc.