Now that everyone’s talking about the several benefits of probiotics, it may seem like another new health fad. But the truth is, people have been using probiotics for generations. Everyone has both good and bad bacteria in their body; simply put, the good bacteria are probiotics. There are certain conventional probiotic-rich foods with medicinal benefits such as kimchi, natto, miso, sauerkraut and tempeh.
There is a prevalent belief that intestines only absorb and digest food, but a healthy Gastrointestinal tract is intrinsically linked to a person’s overall health. Probiotics play an essential role in our emotional health, immunity, and hormonal balance.
Of course, concerning women’s health, probiotics are a great ally. The beneficial microbes in them metabolize and recycle hormones such as estrogen, phytoestrogens and thyroid hormones to promote hormonal balance.
Are you a woman? Let’s talk about the 5 reasons why taking a daily probiotic supplement is essential for your optimal health.
The Odds May Already not be in Your Favor
We live in a fast-paced, sleep-less and hectic work culture that could benefit from taking a daily probiotic supplement. In addition to our busy lifestyles, our diets are filled with fatty meat, sugar, and artificial colors, which are bad for our health. Also, the abuse of antibiotics gives bad flora to your gut.
The sad thing is, not many are aware of the dangers of these habits. People get sick and antibiotics are prescribed to them, but if they’re to maintain a healthy balance, then it’s important to repopulate their system with good bacteria.
If you experience any of the health conditions below, it could be an indication that you need to take probiotic supplements daily:
- Yeast infections, cold sores, thrush, rashes
- Gastrointestinal Diarrhea/constipation
- Migraines, headaches, pain in the joint
- IBS, bloating
You Don’t Get Enough Vitamins
Vitamins and minerals aren’t just extra nutrients that your body needs – they are essential for life. These micronutrients help your body in carrying out the chemical reactions required for physical and mental health.
Your body houses certain organisms that can produce vitamins that live in your gut. Some bacteria that live in the gut produce three kinds of vitamin B: Vitamin B12, Biotin and Folate. These three vitamins support nerve function and energy metabolism. The people who are particularly at risk of a deficiency in vitamin B12 are vegetarians and vegans. This is because B12 is not present in plant foods but is naturally gotten from animal products.
Probiotic in your gut can also help produce vitamin K, a vitamin the body needs for blood clotting. Without adequate vitamin K, people may bleed to death in the event of a cut or during a menstrual cycle. The vitamin is in two forms: vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. When it comes to bone health and the prevention of coronary artery disease, vitamin K2 comes in handy but it is only found in few foods.
The most common sources include fermented foods, egg yolks and cheese. However, probiotic can help out by producing some of the vitamin K2 not gotten through diet. This is one reason why you should take probiotics daily.
Probiotics also helpful in increasing the digestibility of some nutrients, including copper, magnesium, proteins, carbohydrates, fats, cholesterol, iron, calcium, milk and sugars.
Your Digestive System May Be Far from Functioning at its Optimum
At birth, every child gets the essential bacteria from their mother. And according to some studies, any child born vaginally and was breastfed, probably had the good bacteria for a really healthy gut flora. As a matter of fact, infants who were born by c-section or fed with formula are likely to have a less diverse gut flora. These infants are at higher risk for developing digestive issues in the long run.
Your gut flora powers your digestive system, but as you grow older, odds are your digestive system is wears down. But there are two ways to remedy the issue and get a very healthy gut flora. One of the practical things to do is to incorporate foods rich in probiotics to your diet. However, a number of these foods may be difficult find, and also not everyone has the same taste buds. That’s why the next practical thing to do is take probiotic supplements daily.
You’ve Been Taking Antibiotics for Too Long
Chances are, that at some points in your life, you’ve taken some prescription antibiotic such as penicillin many times. Doctors are often quick to prescribe antibiotics for illnesses, but what they don’t tell you is that, in addition to killing your infection, antibiotics also kill off the good bacteria in your body. They also do not warn you that the side effects in the long run, if left untreated, could result in serious health issues.
Fortunately though, in recent years, several researches and studies have brought awareness on gut health to many people. Now, people are aware that having a diverse, and properly-balanced gut flora is beneficial for our overall health and well being.
Hormonal Balance and Vaginal Health
Like the intestinal tract, the vagina is a well-balanced microbiome. And so, microbes like probiotics can be effective in keeping the vagina acidic, making it hard for harmful bacteria to thrive. An unhealthy vaginal flora can be due to a host of factors, including birth control pills, spermicides, and antibiotics. Probiotics are also instrumental in balancing the microflora of the vagina.
The healthy flora helps to metabolize hormones, including phytoestrogens from food sources, thyroid hormones, and oestrogen which can help to alleviate symptoms of PMS, Menopause, and Perimenopause. They do this to help ensure breast health, protect your bones, and maintain proper hormonal balance.
There are several factors like diet and stress that are responsible for disrupting the balance of bacteria in the gut. One of the most important reasons for keeping your gut microbiome in balance is that it nurtures good bacteria needed in the making of vitamin B and vitamin K. that is why you need as part of your regular diet.
The Bottom Line
Thankfully, there are various types of probiotic supplements available to women, from dietary to vaginal suppository supplements. For suppository supplements, they work by inserting the probiotic into the vagina at the first sign of health issues. Doing this should to restore bacterial balance within the vagina while attacking harmful microbes that result in UTIs, vaginitis, and yeast infections.
However, dietary supplements are not as invasive and only need to be swallowed as capsules. They allow for the multiplication of billions of powerful bacteria in not just the intestines but other areas of the body as well. Due to their large range of multiplication, dietary supplements may be the most viable method for treating a number of health issues.
Apparently, probiotic supplements are helpful at providing lactobacillus (good bacteria) that keeps the vaginal area and gut both balanced and healthy. There are special formulations for women and they can be gotten at any drugstore or grocery store.
