Home / health / 6 Reasons To Add Probiotics To Your Food Regime

6 reasons to add probiotics to your food regime

6 reasons to add probiotics to your food regime

Probiotics are live microorganisms naturally present in our bodies. However, they can also be taken through certain food items or probiotic supplements. When present in sufficient amounts, probiotics can have several health benefits, such as good digestion, loss of excess body weight, a healthy immune system, and much more! Read on to find out the six most important reasons why you should add this friendly bacteria to your food regime.

  • Maintain Healthy Digestion with Probiotics
    Probiotics include and foster the growth of good bacteria in your digestive system. You should consume food that contains a fair amount of probiotics. It will help keep your gut healthy by restoring the natural balance of bacteria. These friendly live microorganisms come with the benefit of putting a check on the growth of bad bacteria. Probiotics do not let the harmful bacteria overpower the good bacteria. These bacteria help reverse the effects of illnesses and certain medicines. Probiotics benefits also include treating obesity and allergies. Probiotics are not known to have any side effects.
  • Ensure a Balance of Probiotics to Treat Diarrhea
    The friendly bacteria present in your digestive system are widely known for treating diarrhea. One of the primary probiotics benefits is its ability to cure and reduce the severity of diarrhea. Diarrhea is often a side effect of taking antibiotics. Antibiotics may adversely affect the balance of bacteria in the digestive system. Ensuring the right proportion of probiotics in the gut reduces the risk of diarrhea induced by antibiotics. Moreover, probiotics are known for treating other kinds of diarrhea as well. Ensure an adequate intake of probiotics through food and supplements to reduce the risk and duration of diarrhea. Doctors usually recommend strains such as Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus as measures against diarrhea.
  • Probiotic Supplements For Mental Health
    Certain strains of probiotics are known for positively impacting mental health conditions. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus probiotic strains have the proven ability to improve depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and memory in general. You can consume one hundred grams of yogurt containing probiotics every day for good health. Taking a probiotic capsule every day as prescribed by your doctor will considerably relieve you from anxiety and stress.
  • Probiotics Help Lower Cholesterol And Blood Pressure
    Well-known probiotics benefits include a healthy heart. These friendly microorganisms keep your cholesterol levels low. This, in turn, ensures that your heart functions healthily. Probiotics also keep your blood pressure in check. If you suffer from high blood pressure or have such a tendency, you should take probiotic supplements. Probiotics help reduce the levels of cholesterol by breaking down bile in the digestive system. This process fosters healthy digestion. Probiotics break down bile and prevent it from absorbed by the gut again. The bile is thus prevented from entering the bloodstream as cholesterol. Probiotics are also known to slightly increase the levels of “good” cholesterol in the body.
  • Reduce Allergies And Eczema With Probiotics
    Allergies and eczema may be treated with probiotics. Doctors often recommend an adequate probiotic intake, especially for children, to curb the severity of allergies and eczema. Infants may be fed with milk supplemented with probiotics. Probiotic intake reduces eczema symptoms and eases different kinds of allergies. Extensive studies have also shown that women who ensure a balance of bacteria by a healthy intake of probiotics give birth to children less prone to allergies and eczema. Probiotics may also reduce the impact of milk and dairy induced allergies in children.
  • Probiotics Prevent Bowel Diseases
    Probiotics benefits also include curing various inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Strains of probiotics such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus have proven to have beneficial effects on people suffering from mild ulcerative colitis. Irritable bowel syndrome is a common health condition which can be treated with the help of probiotics. Infants should have a sufficient amount of probiotics to prevent the risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. This is a bowel condition to which premature infants are the most prone. Besides, probiotics improve your immune system by preventing the excessive growth of harmful bacteria in your digestive system. Probiotics are known to foster the growth of natural antibodies in the body. They boost immune cells in the body and keep you healthy.

Probiotics can be consumed in the form of foods or supplements. Some of the foods and beverages that are popular probiotics are:

yoghurt
miso
kombucha
sauerkraut
kimchi
natto
tempeh

While most foods are safe sources of probiotics, it’s best to consult a doctor when using tablets, capsules, and powders from the drug store.

Recommended

Learn about these 3 types of hearing loss

Learn about these 3 types of hearing loss

Hearing loss, deafness, or impairment is the partial or total inability to hear sounds. People with low to moderate hearing impairment face challenges in understanding what the other person is saying in a noisy environment. Whereas, people with severe deafness cannot hear anything, and rely completely on lip-reading and sign language skills. There are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and a combination of both. Let’s understand these types in detail and learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of each type. Sensorineural hearing loss It’s the most common type of hearing loss. Sensorineural is permanent hearing loss often caused by damage to the tiny hair cells that line the inner ear or the auditory nerve. The damage stops or weakens the transfers of nerve signals to the brain. These signals are essentially the intensity and clarity of sounds. Causes: Aging and exposure to loud noises for a long period of time are the most common cause of the damage. Certain medications and illnesses can also increase risks. It can even be genetic, and pass on to the child in the mother’s womb. Treatment: There is no medical or surgical treatment available to repair the tiny hair cells once they’re damaged.
Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

The heart is the most crucial organ in the body and as the system will cease to function if the heart stops or loses momentum pumping fresh oxygenated blood. This is why it is vital to not neglect your heart health at all and responsibly maintain a healthy, stress-free, and more importantly, a happy lifestyle. Here are a few simple lifestyle changes that will help support a healthy heart function. Switch to a healthy diet Avoid eating foods that are rich in trans and saturated fats. Most foods you find on the shelves of the supermarket contain large quantities of one or the other. Instead, switch to low-fat high fiber alternatives to help manage cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level in the body automatically reduces the risk of heart diseases. The simple reason for this is that fats that normally block major arteries and blood vessels are eliminated from these foods choices. It is also advisable to limit the salt (sodium) intake to control blood pressure and sugar to reduce the risk of diabetes simultaneously. Change certain lifestyle habits Reduce the number of alcoholic or carbonated drinks you have regularly. For men, it is advisable to have not more than two drinks and day and women must have only one.
How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

Heartburn is an unpleasant, burning sensation in the chest that is more common than a lot of individuals realize. Pregnant women, older men, and even young adults experience it frequently. Despite it being such a prevalent experience, not many know that heartburn has actually nothing to do with the heart and everything to do with the stomach and the esophagus. Unsurprisingly enough, heartburn is also used interchangeably with GERD. But, before we get to deciphering heartburn and GERD, let’s understand what acid reflux is. What is acid reflux or GER? Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter or LES becomes weak, allowing the contents of the stomach to travel in the wrong direction, back up the esophagus. Acid reflux is also called GER or gastroesophageal reflux as it involves the stomach and esophagus. This condition can usually be resolved with over-the-counter medication. What is heartburn? Heartburn is a burning or painful sensation that is experienced in the chest. Since the lining of the esophagus is not as strong as the lining of the stomach, the acid from the stomach can cause a burning sensation in the chest. This pain or burning sensation that is heartburn can often be misconstrued for a heart attack.
5 common joint conditions and how to treat them

5 common joint conditions and how to treat them

A joint or articulation is made from two bones that aid the body in movement. There are many forms of joint conditions, which, in many cases, arise from the wear and tear of bones. Arthritis is one of the major and most common health conditions in the country, and its intensity increases with age. Here are some common types of joint conditions that you need to know: Osteoarthritis With almost 10 percent of men and 13 percent of women aged over 60 suffering from osteoarthritis, it is one of the most prevalent joint conditions in the country. Osteoarthritis occurs due to the wear and tear of the cartilages that protect the ends of bones. It commonly affects joints of the spine, hands, hips, and knees. If left untreated, this wear and tear of the cartilage soon leads to bone degeneration, thereby affecting flexibility and range of movement. Treatment for osteoarthritis depends on its severity and the patient’s age. Mild symptoms can be treated through medications, physiotherapy, and changes in lifestyle, whereas moderate to severe cases may require surgical intervention. Spondyloarthritis Spondyloarthritis, also referred to as spondyloarthropathy, is a type of rheumatic disease that causes inflammation in various joints. There are two types of spondyloarthritis—axial spondyloarthritis, which causes inflammation of the joints in the chest, spine, and hip bone, and peripheral spondyloarthritis, which causes inflammation in the fingers, knees, and toes.
Tips to help you strengthen your immune system

Tips to help you strengthen your immune system

Natural selection has transformed the way in which the human immune system works. While some human genes have evolved to become immune to certain diseases, others have not. This leaves a whole lot of people prone to certain diseases and disorders. That said, there are ways to boost the immune system, improve one’s diet, and lead a healthier lifestyle. Here are a few simple steps that you can take to strengthen the immune system: Ensure adequate sleep There are quite a few studies that prove the relationship between adequate sleep and the strength of the immune system. As an adult, you should ensure that you get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. A teenager should get eight to ten hours of sleep, whereas a young child should get at least 14 hours of sleep on a daily basis. If you have disturbed or no sleep, then you can improve your sleep cycle with these quick tips: Try sleeping in a room that is completely dark Get to bed at the same time every night. This will help regulate your sleep pattern Avoid using electronics that emit blue light before bed Maintain a diet of fruits and vegetables Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains contain essential minerals, fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
8 lesser-known facts about the liver

8 lesser-known facts about the liver

Considered the second-largest organ in the body, the liver plays an extremely important role in a variety of functions. It is key to the body’s metabolism; and helps burn fat and maintain body weight. It is located above the stomach and beneath the diaphragm, its size similar to that of a football. While such information is common knowledge, there are a few not-so-known facts about this organ. Read on to find out more: It is the only organ that can regenerate Unlike any other organ, the liver has the miraculous ability to regenerate and regrow, needing just 25 percent of the original tissue to do so. According to a study, evolutionary safeguards are responsible for this effect, which is a central concept behind liver transplants. It is the body’s detox center The liver filters everything we eat and drink, ridding the body of the materials that are not meant for it. It first burns toxins using enzymes and oxygen. This is followed by the second step, which combines toxins with amino acids that are later flushed out through urine or bile. It is multifunctional Identified as one of the most complex organs in the body, the liver performs hundreds of vital functions.