Can I Take Or Eat Something To Increase The Good Probiotics In My Body
You can increase the amount of good microbes in your body through foods, drinks and supplements. You may already have certain foods in your daily diet that contain probiotics. Fermented foods in particular are home to a host of good bacteria that benefit your body. There are also fermented drinks like kombucha or kefir that introduce extra probiotics into your diet.
Apart from food, you can add probiotics to your diet through dietary supplements. These arent drugs, so they do not need to be approved by the Federal Drug Administration . Its important that you always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any kind of supplement or major change to your diet.
First What Is A Probiotic
According to the WHO/FAO 2001 and 2002 definition and an in 2014, probiotics are live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. These friendly bacteria are present in numerous foods, including dairy fermented foods such as yogurt and some kefirs.
Risks And Considerations Of Probiotics For Cats
Adverse effects of probiotics are rare in cats. Frey, however, warns that cat owners should choose their probiotic brands wisely. The supplement industry is loosely regulated and there isn’t a governing agency that requires a company to prove its label claims for amounts and strains. Companies only have to respond to complaints, she explains. Human supplement manufacturers are required to have more oversight than veterinary ones. There is, however a veterinary organization called National Animal Supplement Council that does provide some oversight. Frey recommends giving cats a veterinary product that has the NASC label or a product from a company that also produces human supplements and foods whenever possible.
But at the end of the day, it all comes down to what works the best for your specific pet. We know so little about probiotic and normal flora populations in animals. There is much to learn, says Frey. No one product works for every animal so trying different probiotics and watching for results is a good common sense approach.
Optimum cat health starts with proper nutrition. Find out what human foods are dangerous for cats and avoid feeding them to your feline friend.
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Role Of Intestinal Flora
We may not realize that our intestinal flora can be a driver of inflammation. Gut-associated inflammation has been linked to insulin resistance, some forms of cancer, and even mental health concerns.
The trillions of bacteria that live within our gut have an intimate connection to our immune system, helping to strike a balance between tolerance and regulation. One type of bacteria that can cause inflammation is gram-negative bacteria.
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Can I Obtain Enzymes From My Diet
As the food we eat is what fuels us, it seems logical to first look at what you are putting into your body before looking at a supplement. Certain foods contain natural enzymes to aid digestion, including:
- Pineapple, contains the enzyme bromelaine which breaks down protein.
- Mangoes and Bananas, contain the enzyme amylase, which breaks down carbs from starch.
- Papaya, contains the enzyme papain that help to digest proteins
- Kiwifruit, contains the enzyme actinidain, which helps digest proteins.
- Ginger, contains the enzyme zingibain which can help to boost the bodys own production of digestive enzymes.
- Kefir, is a fermented milk drink which contains numerous digestive enzymes and probiotics. Kefir can be made using cows milk or dairy alternatives and each batch will contain a unique variety of enzymes.
- Sauerkraut, is a type of fermented cabbage which is rich in many digestive enzymes.
- Kimchi, is a part of Korean cuisine and is made from fermented vegetables. Its fermented with bacteria of the Bacillus species, and contains enzymes such as proteases, lipases and amylases.
Top tip: High heat can destroy natural enzymes in food, so make sure you incorporate raw/uncooked elements into your diet.
Some of the foods which are listed, while being good sources of various digestive enzymes, may not be suitable for everyone. Therefore it is important to check contraindications alongside certain medications, medical conditions and, of course, allergies/intolerances you may have.
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Which Probiotics Are Best For Digestion
Because different strains of bacteria do different things, identifying probiotics targeted at GI discomfort is important.
Keep in mind that not all probiotics are created equal. Seek out probiotics that have undergone rigorous clinical researchand know that when it comes to probiotics, more does not necessarily mean better. A sparsely researched strain with a high CFU count will not have the same benefits as a quality probiotic that targets digestive health.
For instance, the strains used in our Floradapt gut comfort probiotic are rigorously selected, screened and tested by double-blind randomized controlled studies in clinical trials. Our patented triple strain strength formulas are specifically designed to support GI balance.
In addition to diet and exercise, high-quality probiotic strains support overall gut health. Still not sure which probiotic is right for you? Head over to our website for guidance on selecting the right gut health probiotic.
https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/bloated-bloating
Why You Might Need More Probiotics
This is why probiotics for constipation is such an effective option. But you might be wondering at this point why you would need extra probiotics when you know that probiotics are naturally occurring?
One answer is that our modern diets arent particularly good at maintaining this crucial balance. Not only are many of us dehydrated a lot of the time but we also eat large amounts of sugar which can feed the bad bacteria and thereby lead to a negative balance.
Another issue is that many medications can actually ruin the balance of gut flora. Particularly bad for this of course are antibiotics, which work by killing off pretty much all bacteria. Because you swallow most antibiotics, that means that the first place theyre going to act is on the stomach where they will destroy both the bad and the good bacteria. This leaves you with nothing to help with the breaking down of food, with the absorption or production of nutrients or with your digestion and bowel movements generally and it can therefore lead to a range of health problems and discomfort.
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What Can Cause An Imbalance In Natural Probiotics
- Diet plays a huge role in determining the balance of healthy bacteria in your body. The normal Western diet has strayed way too far from what I would consider normal food. Processed foods loaded with sodium and sugar are just downright harmful. On top of that, few people consume enough raw fruits and vegetables to maintain the proper alkalinity in the body.
- Medications may also disrupt your balance. Steroids, chemotherapy, antibiotics, and certain pain killers just to name a few.
- Infections. Harmful bacteria, parasites, and viruses will wreak havoc on your balance.
- Environmental chemicals or chemicals in the food supply.
- Stress.
- Too much sugar will feed the toxic bacteria and decrease the healthy bacteria.
A little too much sugar for my taste!
What Types Of Foods Have Probiotics
The full list is quite robust, but below are 7 of the most common foods containing probiotics:
While it would be great to keep ourselves in a steady supply of probiotic foods, stocking the shelves with the above items consistently wont be the cheapest endeavor. So if cost or consistency is an issue, we recommend getting your probiotics through a supplement or nutritional shake. Its way easier to budget in, stay consistent, and ensure youre getting the right daily dose. And, oftentimes, you can find supplements with additional health benefits.
Which leads us to
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What Is Gut Flora
The digestive system is teeming with life. Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms that live along the gastrointestinal tract. These microorganisms are called gut flora. Gut flora, or intestinal flora, are naturally occurring bacteria that live in your digestive system and help maintain homeostasis . Bacteria in your stomach and intestines might not be the most comforting image, but dont worry. Having a community of healthy bacteria is part of a firm foundation for overall wellness.
How To Find The Best Probiotic Supplement
As with other dietary supplements, probiotics dont need to be tested or approved by the FDA before hitting the shelves. That means itll take a little bit of savvy on your part to find a quality option. Some tips to keep in mind:
Seek out the right bacteria: If you want a probiotic for overall health support, look for supplements containing well researched strains. Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, or Saccharomyces boulardii have been studied the most, Dr. Rajapaksa says. If youre trying to address a specific health concern, youll want to seek out a probiotic thats been studied for that issue. Ask your doctor about strains that have been shown to be helpful.
Pay attention to the CFUs: The number of colony-forming units, or CFUs, can tell you how many probiotics youre getting per dose, Dr. Rajapaksa says. Theres no official recommendation for how many CFUs you need, but most supplements contain between five and 10 billion per dose, Harvard Health experts say.
Look for a few key extras: A good supplement has time-release technology and delivers a dose of prebioticsfibers that act as food for probiotic bacteria. The time-release technology ensures the probiotic reaches your intestine and the prebiotic component aids in absorption, says Dr. Rajapaksa.
Now, lets look at some stellar probiotic picks that experts themselves like to recommend.
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Probiotic Hydrogels Heal Gut Wounds That Other Treatments Cant Reach
Could open the door to new bioactive healing strategies
In their new study, the team further built on these findings by introducing the machinery for producing one of the mucoadhesive hydrogels based on TFF3 into an E. coli Nissle strain that is a normal gut bacterium that can thrive in the colon and cecum sections of the intestinal tract affected by IBD, and is currently sold in many commercial probiotic formulations. We found that the newly engineered Nissle bacteria, when given orally, also populated and resided in the intestinal tract, and that their curli fibers integrated with the intestinal mucus layer, said first author Pichet Praveschotinunt, who is a graduate student mentored by Joshi.
When we induced colitis in the colons of mice by orally administering the chemical dextran sodium sulfate, animals that had received the PATCH-generating E. coli Nissle strain by daily rectal administration starting three days prior to chemical treatment had significantly faster healing and lower inflammatory responses, which caused them to lose much less weight and recover faster compared to control animals, said Praveschotinunt. Their colon epithelial mucosa displayed a more normal morphology and lower numbers of infiltrating immune cells.
Additional authors on the study are Wyss Institute researchers Ilia Gelfat, Franziska Bahl, and David B. Chou.
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This Is How Probiotics Help With Your Digestive Woes
Our bodies have been perfectly designed over eons of time to help us maintain optimum health. There are MILLIONS of microbes living inside your body right at this very moment which includes healthy gut bacteria. This is referred to in science as the HUMAN MICROBIOME. Would you believe it there are 10X more bacterial cells than human cells in your body..
Your microbiome usually plays an important role in your body and helps metabolize and create some vitamins . They also help you break down and produce energy from your food. Plus they can help boost your immune system by producing anti-inflammatory compounds that help keep your gut vibrant hey thats really important these days, right!
When your gut gets out of wack, its referred to as DYSBIOSIS. This happens when your gut wall becomes inflamed and it affects the stomachs barrier. This is known around medicine as LEAKY GUT!. Your stomach has been compromised at this point and some nasty particles have busted on through.
This sets up a probable breeding ground for disease. Modern medicine is well aware that changes in the composition of your microbiome are associated with many diseases from diabetes to various autoimmune diseases. Recently I have experienced some issues with diverticulosis.
The quality of your life comes down to your health. I have been on the wrong side of the track before and it sucks. So why not do yourself a solid and study nutrition at least a little.
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What Are Probiotics For Cats
Just like in humans, the majority of a cats immunity resides in its digestive tract so keeping it balanced with an array of good bacteria is a great way to ensure that your feline stays healthy. One possible way to do that is by supplementing your cats diet with probiotics friendly bacteria that help to regulate digestive and overall health. These live microorganisms are believed to help treat or prevent a variety of illnesses and diseases, especially those related to the gastrointestinal system.
But how do you know if you should give your cat probiotics? What kind of probiotics should you buy for your cat and how often should you administer them? petMD reached out to an array of experts who have studied the topic to find out more about probiotics for cats.
How To Ensure The Probiotic Will Work
To ensure your probiotic is working, make sure to follow the recommended use instructions on the packaging. Depending on the delivery mechanism, the method of taking your probiotic may differ. For example, some probiotics may need to be dissolved in a liquid, whereas others may need to be taken on an empty stomach.
Certain medications such as antibiotics can have a negative impact on the good bacteria in your gut and in your probiotic supplement, so probiotics are best taken away from other medications.
Check the product label for storage instructions to make sure your probiotic is stored properly. Improper storage can make your probiotic less likely to work.
Lastly, check the expiration date to make sure that the probiotic supplement has not expired.
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What Are The Health Benefits Of Probiotics
Probiotics may seem new to the food and supplement industry, but they have been with us from our first breath. During a delivery through the birth canal, a newborn picks up the bacteria Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Escherichia coli from his/her mother. These good bacteria are not transmitted when a Cesarean section is performed and have been shown to be the reason why some infants born by C-section have allergies, less than optimal immune systems, and lower levels of gut microflora.
What exactly do probiotics do? They are believed to protect us in two ways. The first is the role that they play in our digestion. We know that our digestive tract needs a healthy balance between the good and bad gut bacteria, so what gets in the way of this? It looks like our lifestyle is both the problem and the solution. Poor food choices, emotional stress, lack of sleep, antibiotic overuse, other drugs, and environmental influences can all shift the balance in favor of the bad bacteria.
Signs Your Probiotics Are Not Working
No improvement: If you dont see any improvements in your digestion or the digestive issues you are experiencing, this is likely not the right product for you.
If the probiotic works for you, at the very least you should be seeing an improvement in your digestion within four weeks of taking the product.
Side Effects: Some individuals experience minor side effects like mild bloating, flatulence or more frequent bowel movements for the first few days of taking a new probiotic.
This is your body getting used to the probiotic and potentially cleaning out harmful substances like pathogens. However, if these side effects persist beyond the first week of taking the probiotic, stop taking the product and consult a physician. If you experience more serious side effects like allergic reactions, dizziness, swelling or difficulty breathing, discontinue the product and contact your physician immediately.
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Cat Probiotics Vs Dog Probiotics: Whats The Difference
Cats and dogs have very different digestive systems. For instance, a cats small intestine is shorter than that of a canines, which results in a quicker transit time for digesting food. The WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition also notes that a cat has a much smaller cecum than a dogs and the gastric mucosa differs between the two species.
Mahaney notes that cats are carnivorous in nature, whereas dogs are omnivores. Cats are meant to survive off of protein and fat, where dogs are meant to eat more of a variety including meat and protein and vegetables and fruits, he explains. Digestion starts in the mouth and if you look at the teeth of dogs and cats, the dentition of the dog includes molars meant for chopping up plant material, whereas cats lack these types of teeth. These differences in anatomy, physiology and diet are why some veterinarians believe that cats may benefit from probiotics even more than dogs.