Hello, everyone! I’m excited to share with you the importance and benefits of probiotics and maintaining a healthy gut.
First and foremost, I’m NOT a doctor nor do I work in the medical field. Full disclaimer here. The information I provide is completely based on my knowledge, research, experiences, and opinions.
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All About Your Gut
Your digestive tract, gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and your “gut” are all interchangeable. The nickname really covers any part of the digestive system, specifically your stomach and intestines.
Many people don’t realize that the health of your gut affects the health of your body as a whole.
The bacteria found in your gut not only help you to digest foods, but they also work all over your body to maintain an optimal level of functioning.
Typically, we think of bacteria as germs that cause diseases. However, your body is actually full of bacteria – both “good” and “bad.”
Why Gut Health is Important
When the microbiome is thrown out of balance for any reason, you’ll most likely experience some side effects. Bloating, gas, diarrhea, stomach pain, or nausea are all pretty direct signs that something in the gut isn’t working as it should.
The imbalances often fix themselves after a short time, but if they become chronic, they may require a medical diagnosis and treatment. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or any kind of reoccurring diarrhea usually are signs of more serious gut problems..TMI, I know.
Studies have shown that your mental health can strongly be linked back to your gut health too, which is pretty wild.
Scientists refer to the “gut-brain axis,” as a pathway through your body in which signals from the gut can affect neurotransmitters in the brain and vice versa.
Poor gut health has been linked to emotional stress, anxiety, depression, and other neurological conditions including schizophrenia and dementia.
I first learned about gut health and the importance of keeping your gut healthy in Kimberly Snyder’s “The Beauty Detox Solution.” Although the title may suggest the book is geared toward a more feminine audience, it is for everyone! If you have an interest in nutrition and/or holistic health & wellness, I strongly suggest reading this book.
Related: Activated Charcoal – My Detox Supplement and Hangover Hack!
The Benefits of Probiotics
So, what are probiotics and how can they help me? Probiotics are supplements that contain live microorganisms (bacteria & yeasts) that help improve or restore your gut flora.
Probiotics are often referred to as the “good” or “helpful” bacteria because they assist in keeping your digestive system healthy.
When you lose good bacteria in your body (i.e. after taking antibiotics), probiotics can help replace them and balance your good and bad gut bacteria.
Although antibiotics are supposed to heal you by killing just the just the bad bacteria in your system, they end up wiping out the good bacteria as well.
Maintaining a healthy gut can be done simply by maintaining a healthy lifestyle: following a balanced diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and getting a good night’s sleep. However, you and I both know that it is quite difficult to achieve all four of these every single day.
That’s where supplementing with probiotics comes into play.
Physically, I know when my gut is out of sorts when I start breaking out. Specifically, I notice this with dairy and processed & greasy foods.
I consider myself “allergic” to dairy, so when I eat certain types of dairy (i.e. heavy cream, soft cheeses, and the “milkier” products) I’ll see the consequences on my face a couple of days after eating said dairy.
When I take my probiotics regularly, I notice that they help me to not break out as much. Unless I go on a serious dairy binge, they pretty much minimize the breakout as a whole.
Suggested Probiotic Supplements
I have been using Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics Original Formula since 2008. I first read about this brand in Kimberly Snyder’s book, “The Beauty Detox Solution,” as she recommended this product. She now sells her own probiotic supplement, which is part of her skincare & supplement brand “Solluna.”
Although I have personally only used Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics, I would also recommend Bulletproof’s Express 30-in-1 Probiotic. If you are interested in nutrition, another good read is Dave Asprey’s “The Bulletproof Diet.” I first read this book in 2016 (I think?!), and I still use many of his techniques and recommended supplements to this day.
Physician’s Choice also makes a probiotic that is more affordable and highly rated on Amazon.
No matter which probiotic you choose, please read all the reviews first and consult with your doctor before using.
Related: Benefits of Drinking Warm Water With Lemon
Fermented Foods List
If you prefer to get your probiotics from fermented foods in lieu of or in addition to taking a probiotic supplement, here’s a list of common probiotic-rich foods:
- Yogurt (must say “contains live/active cultures” or something similar on the packaging!)
- Sauerkraut
- Kefir
- Tempeh
- Kimchi
- Miso
- Kombucha
*Make sure each food states that it contains probiotics, live, or active cultures and/or states “fermented” on the packaging!
Suggested Reading:
- Kimberly Snyder’s “The Beauty Detox” (where I first learned about gut health & probiotics!)
- “The Bulletproof Diet” by Dave Asprey
- “Crazy Sexy Diet” by Kris Carr
There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this post about the benefits of probiotics and the importance of gut health. Have you tried any of the fermented foods listed above? Let me know in the comments below 😊
Related:
- Benefits of Drinking Warm Water With Lemon
- Activated Charcoal: My Secret Hangover Hack & Detox Trick
This post was updated on March 26, 2023.
