If you’re wanting to maintain optimal health all year long, then you’ll definitely want to consider nurturing your gut with probiotic foods and perhaps also probiotic supplements. They play a crucial role in digestion, immune function, and holistic well-being. In this post, we’ll explore more about what probiotics are, the vital role they play in our health, signs that you might need a probiotic supplement, and my top 5 recommendations for trusted probiotic products. Read on to learn all about probiotics and how they can enhance your wellness journey.
What Are Probiotics?
We live in harmony with a humongous population of microorganisms called a microbiome both inside our bodies (primarily in the colon), in our mucous membranes that are in contact with the outside world (ears, nose, mouth, eyes), and all over our skin.
Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria and yeasts in our microbiome that we have a positive relationship with. They love to eat certain foods in our gut (called prebiotics), and their presence offers us systemic benefits and protection from pathogenic microorganisms.
Common probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacerium species and the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii.
Our microbiome is established at birth through our mother’s the birth canal. The “good” AND the “bad” bacteria and yeasts continue to grow and diversify as we get more probiotics from mother’s milk & her skin, and they populate the length of the digestive tract.
Importance Of Beneficial Bacteria For Holistic Health
We need a strong population of beneficial bacteria in order to experience optimum health. They help us in the following ways:
Gut Health:
- Role in digestion and nutrient absorption.
- Maintaining a healthy balance of gut flora (outcompete the “bad” microorganisms).
- Prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal issues (e.g., IBS, diarrhea).
Immune Health:
- Enhancement of the immune system by protecting the lymphoid tissue in the gut lining that makes lymphocytes & immunoglobulins .
- Prevention of infections by inhibiting harmful bacteria growth.
Other Benefits:
- Skin health
- Mental health (gut-brain axis) biochemical signaling between the brain and gut through the vagus nerve.
- Metabolic health (weight management, diabetes prevention).
- Cardiovascular health (regulating blood pressure, reducing inflammation)
Signs You Need To Supplement With Probiotics
Gut health is very, easily damaged by stress, poor diet (high in sugar & refined carbohydrates), antibiotics, pharmaceutical drugs and environmental toxins. All of these things will kill off the good microorganisms and may switch the balance to favor the bad. So you’ll want to make improvements in your gut health by increasing probiotics when dealing with these things.
For details on all of this, read “Improve Your Family’s Gut Health to Increase General Health: Part 1.”
You have an issue with gut health if you have any of these symptoms:
- Digestive Issues: Chronic diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and gas.
- Frequent Infections: Recurring colds, flu, and other infections.
- Weight Gain: Overeating (mixed up satiety signaling), metabolic issues.
- Skin Conditions: Eczema, acne, and other skin issues.
- Mental Health Issues: Anxiety, depression, and mood swings.
- Food Intolerances and Allergies: Increasing sensitivity to certain foods and substances in the environment (from diminished gut lining – “leaky gut”).
Probiotic-Rich Foods vs. Supplements
It’s ideal that we eat probiotic-rich foods everyday as well as fiber-rich foods (vegetables, fruit, whole grains, etc.) that feed them.
Probiotic-Rich Foods & Ferments:
- Yogurt
- Raw milk
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Kimchi
- Miso
- Kombucha
However, there are times when getting probiotics from food sources is not enough.
When Supplements are Needed:
- Inadequate intake from diet.
- Specific health conditions requiring higher doses.
- After antibiotic use.
- Personalized probiotic strains for targeted health benefits.
Top 5 Probiotic Recommendations
Probiotics are so popular right now, there are hundreds of brands out there. The quality has improved greatly in the market as research has expanded.
I used to recommend refrigerated products to make sure that the cultures were alive. However, now most brands are enteric coated and stabilized so that they retain effectiveness when not refrigerated and are able to make it down to full length of the colon without being damaged by stomach acid along the way.
I suggest this criteria:
- Pick a brand with a good reputation, shared values, and research behind their claims
- Select products with at least 5 billion colony forming units (CFUs)
- Choose the strains specific for the conditions you’re trying to treat (it will say on the bottle) -Or – pick one with multiple strains for overall diverse microbiome support
1. Extra-Strength For Adults Recovering From Antibiotic Use And Gut Diseases
2. Adult & Child Probiotic With Prebiotics and Postbiotics For Enhanced Effectiveness
Below is the adult capsules of PB Restore, a powerhouse daily probiotic from doTERRA.
Note: They also have a powdered version called PB Assist+ ProBiome Gut Complex which has 7 billion Active Fluorescent Units (AFUs) of 12 strains, is Strawberry Melon flavored and great for kids as well as adults.
3. Probiotics For Women’s Health Issues
4. Probiotics For Infants and Babies
5. Everyday Probiotic With Inulin Prebiotic For Gut & Immune Health
In Conclusion
I hope you can see now how important probiotics are and why you should consider supplementing. Comment in the video above or email me at brandy@falconhealingarts.com if you have any questions about taking them.
(If you have immune deficiency, cancer, or other serious immune health conditions, it is a good idea to speak with your primary care provider since taking probiotics may be contraindicated for you.)
I am here for you if you’d like to work together in-person or online healing sessions. We can focus on your gut health and any issues affecting your body, heart, mind, and spirit.
Well wishes, friend!
