How probiotics work on our body

Did you know that the mass of bacteria in the human body can be up to 2 kg! We have more bacterial cells than our own. Our body is teeming with bacteria – unfortunately not all of them bring as many benefits as probiotics. What’s the best gut probiotic?

Few people are aware that they regularly eat a portion of probiotics with yogurt. Until a few years ago, only scientists and nutritionists knew about it.

The topic of probiotics is being discussed more and more often, and our knowledge about their influence on our body is systematically increasing. It’s worth learning more to get the most out of taking probiotics.

What are probiotics?

Most often, with the word probiotic, we associate a small bacterium that protects us against disease. And rightly so! Probiotics (from the Greek pro bios – for life) are cultures of bacteria or yeasts, the main task of which is to maintain the correct physiological flora in our digestive tract. So they are live microorganisms, supplied from the outside with food, thanks to which we can enjoy health.

Did you know that your body has more bacteria than you have body cells? Their weight can be up to 2 kg! It’s hard to imagine, but our body is literally teeming with bacteria. Unfortunately, not all of them bring us benefits like probiotics. The proper functioning of the digestive and immune systems depends on the composition of our intestinal flora. Our health depends on how many probiotic bacteria and how many pathogenic bacteria we have. Therefore, the presence of probiotic bacteria in the body is extremely important – they inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and can even kill them.
Prebiotics

Note, do not confuse probiotics with prebiotics! Prebiotics also have a positive effect on the gut flora. However, these are not living organisms, as in the case of probiotics, but only ingredients of other foods, e.g. fiber, which are the basis for the development of beneficial microorganisms and stimulate their growth.

How do probiotics work on our body?

Probiotics have a wide range of effects on our body. Their main task is to strengthen immunity and improve the condition of the digestive tract. This is because microorganisms produce natural antibodies, and also constitute a kind of protective barrier that prevents factors promoting infection into our intestine.
Intestinal probiotic

Probiotics have a positive effect, first of all, on the intestinal flora. They accelerate metabolism and lower bad cholesterol (LDL). Live bacteria cultures protect our digestive system. They improve digestion, regulate intestinal peristalsis and prevent diarrhea.

They also increase the nutritional value of products – they facilitate the absorption of minerals such as magnesium and iron as well as B and K vitamins.

In addition, probiotics strengthen immunity and protect us against infections caused by pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, it is very important to take as many probiotics as possible during and after antibiotic treatment. They will then regenerate the intestinal flora damaged by antibiotic therapy and reduce inflammation.

Skeletal system and probiotics

Probiotics facilitate the absorption of calcium important for our bones, thus preventing osteoporosis and other skeletal diseases. They should be taken especially by the elderly and those with lactose intolerance, i.e. milk sugar. It is essential in the process of calcium absorption and such people are at risk of deficiency of this element in the body. It is best to take probiotics with yogurt, buttermilk or kefir, but patients suffering from lactose intolerance can only use oral preparations.

Probiotics are extremely important. If you want to stay healthy for longer, pay close attention to them. The latest research shows that probiotics not only have a beneficial effect on our immune system, but also reduce the risk of allergies in children and people prone to it. Scientists also say that a regular dose of probiotics prevents the formation of cancer. This is because bacteria degrade and break down carcinogenic compounds.
Where to look for them?

The most common and proven probiotics are bacteria of the genus . They are available in special yoghurts, kefirs, all fermented dairy products, butter, and fruit and vegetable juices. You will also find them in pickled products, such as sauerkraut, pickled cucumbers or pickled beets. Probiotics can also be delivered to our body in the form of dietary supplements, of which there are more and more on the pharmaceutical market. Their use is especially recommended during antibiotic therapy.

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG

It is said to be the perfect probiotic strain, and it is certainly the best recognized one. In 1983, this bacterium was isolated straight from the human body. The main feature of these bacteria is the ability to colonize the intestines. As a result, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus bacteria restore the intestinal microflora balance. Therefore, it is believed to be the most suitable probiotic for the intestines.
Post-antibiotic diarrhea

The studies that have been carried out show that over 1/3 of patients taking antibiotics may suffer from antibiotic diarrhea. Antibiotic treatment leads to intestinal mycloflora dysbiosis. Thanks to clinical trials, it has been shown that the use of this strain reduces the incidence of diarrhea.

In addition, the positive effect of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG bacteria was confirmed in the case of:

• traveler’s or infectious diarrhea;
• IBS – irritable bowel syndrome;
• atopic dermatitis;
• decreased immunity;
• allergic diseases.

Remember that the normal bacteria in yogurt will not survive in your digestive tract as they are being digested on an ongoing basis. To ensure the right amount of live bacteria in the body, it is recommended to consume probiotic products on a daily basis. To find them, you need to check the labels on which it should be written what strain of bacteria the product contains. When buying, for example, yoghurt, check the composition carefully, because there are many products that are considered probiotic, although they do not contain live bacteria. For probiotics to perform their functions, there must be at least 10 million of them in a given product. To enjoy your health and well-being, make sure that this amount of live bacteria flows into your body regularly.