It seems the world today, and most of social media, is awash with discussions surrounding the importance of gut health - specifically probiotics; those tiny, yet mighty microorganisms that play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of our gut microbiome. But do you really understand what they are, how they work, and why they're essential for our overall well-being?
Before we can fully appreciate probiotics, we need to understand the concept of the gut microbiome. Our gut is home to trillions of microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiota, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes. This complex ecosystem plays a vital role in numerous aspects of our health, from digestion and nutrient absorption to immune function and mental well-being.
Essentially, probiotics are live microorganisms that provide many health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. Often referred to as “good” or “friendly” bacteria, these beneficial bacteria and yeasts can be found in various foods, such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi, as well as in supplement form.
So, how do probiotics contribute to gut health? The beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome can be out of balance for many reasons, such as getting older, taking antibiotics, food poisoning (gastroenteritis), gut surgery and illnesses like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
One of the primary functions of probiotics is to help restore and maintain a harmonious balance of beneficial bacteria, and by doing so, they can support digestion, alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders and enhance immune function.
As well as maintaining balance, probiotics produce various compounds, such as short-chain fatty acids and vitamins, which further promote gut health. They also compete with harmful bacteria for nutrients and space in the gut, essentially evicting them and reducing the risk of infections and other digestive issues.
Some studies have shown that they can make colds last for shorter lengths of time and improve your response to some vaccines.
Alongside gut health, studies and emerging evidence have linked probiotic consumption to improvements in skin health, mood regulation, weight management, and even cognitive function.
It is clear to see that probiotics are not merely a passing trend in the world of health and wellness; they are a cornerstone of optimal gut health and overall well-being. Whether you choose to incorporate probiotic-rich foods into your diet or opt for a high-quality supplement, we should be ensuring healthful levels of beneficial bacteria.
One clear way of doing this is by supplementation – but with an array of probiotic products flooding the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming!
Factors to consider include the specific strains of bacteria or yeast present in the product, the dosage, and whether it contains additional ingredients or prebiotics (which serve as food for probiotics).
Barefoot Nutrition’s 11/50 Advanced Live Culture Formula is one of the most potent and complete pro-biotic supplements available. Made in the UK and developed with world leading specialists in probiotic cultures, our advanced live culture formula is an optimal blend of 11 healthful bacteria species at 50 billion CFU per capsule. It boasts resistant dose delivery for maximum gut colonisation, includes organic prebiotic inulin and spore forming soil-based bacteria, and has absolutely zero artificial additives.
As ever with our supplements, we pride ourselves on responsible packaging, ensuring no plastic and compostable label - hit the product tab for more information.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/probiotics/
https://barefootnutrition.co.uk/products/advanced-live-culture-formula-probiotic
https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/probiotics.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10881654/
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