Probiotics are live bacteria. Bacteria are known to cause diseases, so the idea of ingesting them is somewhat disgusting. However, many scientific studies are suggesting that taking foods and supplements with probiotics, like the supplements from Physician’s Choice, can help you treat and prevent some illnesses.
Eating foods fermented with bacteria, such as yogurt, is popular among Northern Europeans. Moreover, probiotic-laced drinks are also a booming business in Japan.
Some specialists recommend the probiotic supplement to aid in disorders like irritable bowel syndrome. Furthermore, clinical studies found that probiotic therapy can treat gastrointestinal problems and allergies in children and prevent urinary and vaginal infections in women.
Benefits of probiotics
There are different kinds of probiotics, and various strains provide different effects. As an example, a strain that fights cavities in your mouth can’t survive once it gets to your guts.
How does prebiotic therapy help our guts?
It has been proven that probiotic therapy can cure diarrhea. A study has shown that Lactobacillus GG can reduce the course of infectious diarrhea in babies and kids (not adults).
Another common gut problem that probiotics can treat is constipation. It has been found that probiotics can slow “gut transit time” by 12.4 hours. It softens the stools, making it easier to pass; thus, increases the weekly bowel movements by 1.3. However, the experts are yet to find specific recommendations regarding the benefits of probiotics to constipation.
Furthermore, the therapy may also improve people with Crohn’s disease, as well as irritable bowel syndrome. While the results of the clinical trials are mixed, small studies say that specific probiotics may keep the remission of ulcerative colitis and keep Crohn’s disease from worsening and pouchitis.
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Benefits of probiotic in vaginal health
Probiotics can also be beneficial in keeping urogenital healthy. The vagina is a well-balanced ecosystem, like the intestinal tract. The Lactobacilli keeps the area too acidic for harmful bacteria to thrive. However, the system may lose its balance due to factors like spermicides, birth control pills, and antibiotics. Probiotic treatment that can restore the microflora’s balance may aid in common urogenital problems for women.
Many women treat a recurring yeast infection by eating yogurt or by inserting it into the vagina. It is a traditional remedy that has limited support from medical science. Vaginal or oral administration of Lactobacilli may aid the treatment of bacterial vaginosis. However, the evidence to recommend it over the standard approach is still not enough. Treating urinary tract infection with probiotics is still under study.
Probiotics are safe as they are already present in our digestive system. However, there is a theoretical risk for those who have impaired immune function. If you are going to take probiotics, ensure that the label shows the ingredients and are familiar to you and your health provider.
Some probiotics sold as dietary supplements did not undergo the approval and testing process that most drugs do. Make sure that you are going to buy these supplements from a reputable manufacturer like Physician’s Choice.
Remember that the health benefits of prebiotics are strain-specific, and not all strains are necessarily beneficial. It is still best to consult a physician that is familiar with probiotics to know your options. Informing your health provider about what you are taking is always recommended.
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