Everywhere you turn in the health community you hear the word Probiotics when it comes to healthy living. The first time I heard about probiotics was when my children were born. Both children had tummy trouble when they were babies and toddlers and my pediatrician recommended probiotics. I did what I was told without ever really knowing what probiotics did.
As I did some research I was surprised that probiotics don't just affect the gut! It affects your brain function!
Did you know there are over 500 different types of bacteria in our gut? Some of the bacteria is good bacteria and some bad. The good bacteria helps your digestion, increases your immunity and can fight off illness. The bad bacteria inhibits the good and can lead to illness, such as diarrhea, IBS and other GI problems. This is what what happening to my children.
If there is more bad bacteria than good in our bodies, our health may suffer. On the flip side, the good bacteria help our immune systems by releasing more white blood cells to attack the bad. The two types of bacteria are always fighting against each other. To find a good balance, you need to have slightly more good bacteria than bad. The best way to achieve balance is to eat foods like yogurt, fermented cabbage, soft raw cheese and other fermented foods or take a probiotic supplement.
However, probiotics aren’t the only thing you have to consider for good health. They work together with prebiotics found in fruits and veggies. The prebiotics give the probiotics something to eat in the gut. If you are lacking both prebiotics and probiotics in your diet, your system will be off balance.
Some studies say that probiotics will help with weight loss. However, that will depend greatly on what you feed your body! The good bacteria can only flourish in a diet with low saturated fats, fruits and veggies. This will help the probiotics multiply and aid with weight loss.
Some researchers are now starting to make a connection between our guts and brain function. This is fascinating to me since before I started my healthy lifestyle, I suffered with major depression and anxiety. If you suffer with depression you have probably heard the word serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical that your nerve cells produce that help you to think clearly and feel happy. Did you know that 95% percent of your serotonin comes from your gut bacteria? I did not until now! It wasn't until I started eating clean that my body started to feel at peace again. I am now off all medications for anxiety and depression and this is just another piece of the puzzle that explains WHY.
If you’re considering adding probiotics to your routine, they can be found in the fermented foods that I listed or in supplements. Shakeology is another great source with a mix of pro and prebiotics, including Yacon Root, Chicory Root and Bacillus Coagulans.
Yacon Root
Yacon Root is a perennial plant, grown and cultivated for its tuberous roots. It’s a vegetable that is often thought to be a fruit. It’s benefits include the ability to lower LDL cholesterol, regulate blood sugar levels, assist with weight loss, and strengthen the immune system.
Chicory Root
This woody herbaceous plant offers a wide array of health benefits. It is said to prevent heartburn, boost the immune system, reduce the risk of heart disease, and prevent bacterial infections. It also has natural sedative properties and can protect against kidney stones.
Bacillus Coaglans
Bacillus Coaglans is a beneficial probiotic bacterium that helps treat IBS, boosts the immune system, and helps prevent the common cold.
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