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How Are Probiotics Good For You

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Are Probiotics Safe For Kids

Are Probiotics Good for You? | Earth Lab

Probiotics naturally exist in kids and adults thus, kids can also take these supplements. If your child has an infection or any other condition that requires antibiotics, using a probiotic can help to relieve some symptoms. Besides, you can use these supplements to treat acid reflux, gas, constipation, diarrhea, and eczema in kids.

Some brands sell supplements specially formulated for infants and children. If you do not want to give your child these supplements, you can introduce them to probiotic foods. By including probiotic-rich foods like cottage cheese and yogurt in your childs diet, you can increase the number of good bacteria in their system and improve their gut health.

Despite these options, it is always best you talk to your childs pediatrician before offering them probiotic supplements or introducing a new probiotic-rich diet.

Are Probiotics A Scam

With probiotics, details matter. Its silly to walk into a drugstore, grab a probiotic off the shelf and think its going to do you any good.

Be wary, too, of recommendations made by people who havent consulted the scientific literature. Dont blindly trust a pharmacist, doctor, health-food shop attendant or dietary book, as sadly, most are ill informed, Dr. Reid said.

But if a doctor you trust recommends a particular strain that has been shown in clinical studies to help your condition, or if you have identified a strain that is backed up by solid clinical research and really want to give it a try, then sure, go ahead after double-checking with your doctor first. Dont expect miracles, however.

How Might Probiotics Work

Probiotics may have a variety of effects in the body, and different probiotics may act in different ways.

Probiotics might:

  • Help your body maintain a healthy community of microorganisms or help your bodyâs community of microorganisms return to a healthy condition after being disturbed
  • Produce substances that have desirable effects
  • Influence your bodyâs immune response.

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They’re Good For Your Gut*

Probiotics might be best known for their impact on gut health.* “Think of probiotics as your little helpers that restore order and help maintain harmony in your gut ecosystem,”* says gut health expert Vincent Pedre, M.D. “They outnumber and antagonize unwelcome bugs, including unfavorable bacteria, yeast, and parasites.”*

Research has shown that probiotics are beneficial for improving gut issues like irregularity due to gut imbalance.* A common culprit of gut microbial imbalance are antibiotics.

Probiotics are a targeted strategy to elevate the gut microbiome.*

Science demonstrates their ability to support numerous functions of the upper and lower GI tract, including abdominal comfort by helping reduce gas and bloating.*

Should Children Eat Probiotic Foods

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Some studies suggest that probiotics may be good for children. One study found that children who were given probiotics every day for 3 months were less likely to have respiratory problems and diarrhea than children who were given a placebo.

And while more research is needed, probiotics may reduce childrens risk of developing certain conditions like autoimmune diseases, allergies and asthma.

On the other hand, some researchers note that probiotics may not have much effect on children. Because their microbiome isnt fully developed, probiotics may simply be passed as normal waste.

Probiotics are considered safe for kids with some exceptions, notes Dr. Drass. You should avoid giving your child probiotics if they have a compromised immune system or cancer, or if they are a premature infant. In these cases, probiotics can put them at risk for infections.

In general, its better for kids to get probiotics through foods instead of supplements unless their pediatrician recommends otherwise. Talk to your childs doctor if youre thinking about using probiotics to help your childs digestion because keeping your child safe and healthy is their prime concern.

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How To Choose The Right Probiotic

Researchers are still studying which probiotics are the best.

It is interesting to point out that, in many meta-analyses of the field, bacteria of any type, whether in food or supplements, were included regardless of their types.

Moreover, there is a possibility that the effects of specific probiotics will differ depending on the individual and the condition of the gut microbiome.

Thus, a simple solution may be to take probiotics that contain different strains of bacteria. A diverse gut microbiome has a variety of different functions, and the different bacteria play different roles in the gut. As a result, taking probiotics that contain different types of bacteria has the potential to offer the best overall results.

It is possible to do this by increasing your intake of fermented food and using a probiotic in your diet.

A close attention to your bodys response may also be important. Indeed, our gut flora differs from one another. A product or bacteria strain may offer benefits to some people, but not to others.

Additionally, if someones gut microbiome has been damaged, they may benefit more than others.

In the end, some bacteria have been studied more than others, so it may be worthwhile to find specific strains. The website Dr. David Williams recommends five different bacterial strains, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, that he believes are powerful.

Thus, the best way is to use a variety of bacteria rather than sticking with one type.

Are Probiotics Safe For Kids Heres What You Need To Know

You may have passed them in the health food aisle at your local grocery store or seen a reference to them in your favorite healthy living blog probiotics.

Many adults use these supplements to help regulate their digestive systems. Some claim that probiotics can help with conditions like eczema and even yeast infections.

But probiotics dont always work the same for children.

Probiotics are useful for keeping your digestive tract healthy, says Dr. Joy Drass, pediatrician at Geisinger Port Matilda. But its important to know which probiotics you can give to your child, since they may not work the same way they do in adults.

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Probiotics May Reduce The Severity Of Certain Allergies And Eczema

Certain probiotic strains may reduce the severity of eczema in children and infants.

One study found eczema symptoms improved for infants fed probiotic-supplemented milk, compared to infants fed milk without probiotics .

Another study followed children of women who took probiotics during pregnancy. Those children had an 83% lower risk of developing eczema in the first two years of life .

However, the link between probiotics and reduced eczema severity is still weak and more research needs to be done .

Some probiotics may also reduce inflammatory responses in people with milk or dairy allergies. However, the evidence is weak and further studies are needed .

Bottom Line:

Probiotics may reduce the risk and severity of certain allergies, such as eczema in infants. However, more research is needed.

Is It Best To Take Probiotics And Prebiotics As Foods Supplements Or Drinks

Probiotics | Good for You? | BBC Studios

If you are thinking about taking a probiotic or prebiotic and are unsure where to start or what to take, ask for help from a specialist. There are so many products available on the market it can be difficult to decide which to choose. The evidence is very much linked to the supplement so whether its a powder, tablet or drink youre looking for, choosing the right one should depend on the symptoms youre experiencing.

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Should You Start Eating Probiotics

Russian microbiologist Elie Metchnikoff was the first to associate the large amounts of fermented dairy products with the good health and longevity of Bulgarians back in 1907. He proposed that the acid-producing organisms in fermented dairy products could prevent what he called “fouling” in the large intestine. He believed if eaten regularly, these foods could lead to a longer, healthier life. One version of the Old Testament even attributes Abraham’s long life 175 years to the “consumption of sour milk.” Fermented milk products may have also been used to treat illnesses of the digestive tract during Roman times.

The scientific community agrees that there are potential health benefits to eating foods with probiotics. However, more research is needed to solidify the claims. The best we can say right now is they won’t hurt and may help.

Remember that dietary supplements are not tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration like medications. And the probiotic strains in the supplements may not be specific for the condition you’re looking to treat. You may want to consult with a practitioner, like a registered dietitian, who is familiar with probiotics. Always tell your physician what you are doing that may affect your health.

What Types Of Bacteria Are In Probiotics

Probiotics may contain a variety of microorganisms. The most common are bacteria that belong to groups called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Other bacteria may also be used as probiotics, and so may yeasts such as Saccharomyces boulardii.

Different types of probiotics may have different effects. For example, if a specific kind of Lactobacillus helps prevent an illness, that doesnât necessarily mean that another kind of Lactobacillus or any of the Bifidobacterium probiotics would do the same thing.

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Help With Certain Mental Health Conditions

Microbiota composition changes are related to depression and anxiety. This may be because 95 percent of the neurotransmitter serotonin, the feel-good hormone, is produced by the bacteria in the gut.

One study found that after 30 days of supplementing with the probiotic strains Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacteria longum, healthy participants had less anxiety and depression.

Are There Any Risks Related To Probiotics

BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS

Probiotics are generally considered safe. However, there are some risks linked to the supplements. These risks are increased if you have a medical condition that weakens your immune system, have recently had surgery or have other serious medical conditions.

Unlikely, but possible, risks can include:

  • Developing an infection.
  • Developing a resistance to antibiotics.
  • Developing harmful byproducts from the probiotic supplement.

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What Are The Benefits Of Probiotics

Gut bacteria is the key to understanding probiotics and health. The purpose of probiotics is to promote the growth of positive bacteria in the gut, resulting in potential health benefits.

As with gut health in general, research is ongoing in this area as well. Nevertheless, probiotics have been shown to improve health. Here are some examples:

  • Diabetes may benefit from probiotics as improved glycemic control and improvement in HbA1c levels have been reported.
  • Another benefit of probiotics is that they can reduce migraine headaches.
  • Taking probiotics at the same time as antibiotics may also help to prevent and treat the diarrhea that antibiotics commonly cause.
  • As well, probiotics can help treat inflammatory bowel diseases and may help fight cancers.

Research hasnt always agreed, however. Studies have found inconsistent results in relation to anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and HbA1c effects, which underscores the need for more research.

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In addition, there are numerous other potential interactions that have not yet been thoroughly studied.

These patterns strongly suggest that probiotics can promote health, even though we dont yet know all the mechanisms involved. Furthermore, many probiotics are already beneficial, especially the ones found in food.

Are Probiotics Good for You? Are They Really That Great?

Mental health and probiotics

Mental health and probiotics Are Probiotics Good for You

The Skin Microbiome And Disease In Dogs

You may not realise it, but your dog’s skin is home to millions of microscopic organisms. This complex community of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes is known as the skin microbiome. Although researchers are still learning about the skin microbiome and its role in health, evidence suggests that it plays an important role in keeping your dog’s skin healthy.

Disruptions to the skin microbiome can lead to skin problems such as infections, allergies, and hot spots. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the signs of an unhealthy microbiome so you can take steps to keep your dog’s skin healthy.

Many different types of microbes make up the dog skin microbiome. The most abundant are bacteria, with at least 1000 different species on the skin. The other major groups are fungi, yeasts, and mites. Although viruses and protozoa have also been found on the skin, they are not as abundant as bacteria.

The dog skin microbiome is constantly changing. It is influenced by many factors such as age, diet, environment, and health status. When the skin microbiome is out of balance, it can lead to skin disease. The most common types of skin diseases caused by an imbalance in the microbiome are bacterial infections, fungal infections, and allergies.

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How Much Is Needed

The amount needed for health effects varies widely, depending on the species and strain of probiotic and the desired health benefit. Different probiotics are effective at different levels some products are effective at a level of 50 million live cells per day and others at over one trillion. Yogurt commonly contains between 100 million and 10 billion live probiotics per serving. Follow manufacturers recommendations for the levels needed from specific products. Because probiotics do not permanently stay in the intestinal tract, daily consumption of probiotics is generally recommended.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Probiotics

Probiotics Benefits Myths | Improve Gut Health | Doctor Mike

Probiotics have been shown to improve symptoms in IBS, travellers diarrhoea and the duration of antibiotic associated diarrhoea. There is emerging evidence that probiotics may improve cholesterol levels in people with type II diabetes, and could play a role in benefitting cold or flu outcomes during stressful periods. However, these are very small studies and more research is needed before robust recommendations can be made.

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Are Probiotics Good For You

Probiotics have been the go-to supplements for people suffering from stomach issues. These dietary supplements aid the digestive system and help with issues like irritable bowel syndrome. They also have other health benefits like improving skin health, boosting weight loss, increasing cognitive function, etc. However, how safe are these all-powerful supplements? Can you use them with no side effects? Are they safe for consumption?

These are just a few questions people have asked over the years regarding probiotics. Sometimes, when something sounds too good to be true, it tends to be. So, are probiotics one of them? Are they good for you?

Are Probiotics Supplements Good Conclusion

Probiotic supplements are generally beneficial in nature and help a person to maintain their gut health as well as improve their bowel movements. They enable a person to stay healthy and have a balanced level of cholesterol.

They are also found to reduce the danger of heart failure and strengthen the gut wall by feeding it the essential nutrients that make it more defensive against pathogenic attack.

You can check out Exipure and Biofit. These two are the top probiotic supplements trusted by many customers and have been given positive reviews.

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Can Probiotics Hurt You

Researchers are still trying to determine how effective probiotics are and when and how you should use them. Still, these supplements are generally considered safe and do not cause harm for most healthy people. That said, consult your doctor before starting any supplements because they might not be right for you.

The Best Way To Benefit From Probiotics

Benefits of Probiotics: A Guide to Gut Health

You can get probiotics from a variety of foods or supplements.

If you want to buy a probiotic supplement, then there is an with thousands of customer reviews.

Live probiotic cultures are often found in fermented dairy products such as yogurts and milk drinks. Fermented foods like pickled vegetables, tempeh, miso, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut and soy products may also contain some lactic acid bacteria.

You can also take probiotics as tablets, capsules and powders that contain the bacteria in dried form.

However, be aware that some probiotics can be destroyed by stomach acid before they even reach the gut meaning that you get none of the intended benefits.

If you want to experience any of the health benefits discussed above, its important that you consume adequate amounts.

Most of the studies showing benefits used dosages of 1 billion to 100 billion live organisms or colony-forming units per day.

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Can I Use Probiotics To Help With Medical Conditions

There is currently a large amount of research happening around the idea of what probiotics can do for your body. Even though there are a lot of possibly positive outcomes, researchers are still working to find definitive answers about how probiotics can help with various conditions.

However, there are some medical conditions where probiotics may help. This can vary between people meaning that what works for one person may not work for another. These can also vary based on the certain probiotic that is taken.

Some of the conditions that might be helped by increasing the amount of probiotics in your body include:

  • Upper respiratory infections .

Probiotics And Chronic Disease Risk

A growing body of evidence shows that the gut microbiota may play an important role in the development of obesity, obesity-associated inflammation and insulin resistance. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are associated with changes in gut microbiota. Whether or not these changes impact weight or disease risk is the subject of scientific research, but the potential for using probiotics in weight management and disease prevention is positive.

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When Is It Best To Eat Probiotics In Food Form

Getting straight to the point, Greenfield says that its more important to include probiotic-rich foods in your diet than it is to think too much about when to chow down. There isn’t really an ideal time as long as you are consistently eating them, she shares. Moreover, Greenfield previously told Well+Good that its generally fine to eat fermented foods on an empty stomach if you so preferincluding those that contain probiotics. However, if you have existing gut imbalances or food sensitivities, it may be best to limit your intake and/or eat them alongside other foods.

With this in mind, if you need some assistance to ensure you get these mouth-puckering foods in your tummy on a regular basis, Greenfield suggests honing in on your favorite probiotic picks and figuring out when itd be simple to include them in your daily diet. Pick a meal that you will have an easier time integrating probiotic-rich foods and work on forming the habit, Greenfield says. Prefer the convenience of cereal for breakfast? Add some kefir and berries to your bowl. Always pack a salad for lunch? Toss in some sauerkraut for a tasty, gut-boosting crunch.

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