The Shocking Truth About Gut Health and Probiotics

Health

You might be surprised to learn that how you feel - and even how you look every day - is directly tied to the health of your gut.

To maintain good health, your gut must properly absorb nutrients and help eliminate waste and toxins on a daily basis.

Unfortunately, most people are dealing with toxic-overload and their guts… well, they’re not working as they should be.

You see, your gut is not only in the CENTER of your body, but it’s also at the CENTER of your health and wellbeing!

Bottom line: If your gut isn’t healthy, you won’t be either!

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that help nurture and balance your gut microbiome.

The word “probiotic” breaks down as pro = for and bio = life. Together = for life! Pretty cool.

Probiotics are the health-ninjas that:

Keep harmful bacteria and microorganisms in check
Aid in digestion and nutrient absorption
Make sure your body receives the vitamins, minerals, fats and amino acids from the foods that you are consuming
Are needed for the generation of certain B vitamins, vitamin K, folate and some short-chain fatty acids
Contribute to proper immune system function
Help your body maintain proper pH

Good bacteria (probiotics!) are absolutely vital to keeping the bad bacteria out, keeping potential infections at bay, keeping inflammation under control and preventing disease from taking over your body!

What Are Probiotic Strains?

Not all probiotic bacteria are identical. They differ on the basis of species, strain and results. Different strains have different benefits to the human body. Most probiotics will include the 2 major strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria bifidum. However, the best probiotic supplements will go above and beyond by including several more strains.

We will talk about the different strains near the end of this post so stay with me!

Probiotics must both live and colonize within the gut to induce beneficial effects. Probiotic cultures vary and the benefit of a probiotic is not measured simply by the number of living bacteria in the foods you eat or in the supplements you take. The beneficial effects of probiotics depend on the ability of the bacteria to survive and colonize within your gut.

This is measured by colony forming units (CFUs). CFU represents a bacteria or yeast that is capable of living and reproducing to form a group of the same bacteria or yeasts.

What Is The Relationship Between Your GUT And Probiotics?

According to Hippocrates, “All disease begins in the gut.” Healing your gut is one of the first and most important steps to regaining health and vitality. Probiotic-rich foods help replenish the good bacteria we need to support our digestive tract.

So why are probiotics so important to pay attention to? Check this out.

Roughly 70% of our immune cells are housed in the digestive system!

There are more bacteria in your digestive system than there are cells in your body and all together, the bacteria in your gut weighs around 4 lbs.

And believe me, those are pounds you DO NOT want to shed!

Roughly 95% of your serotonin (the “feel good” or “happy” hormone) is stored in your gut as well.

More and more scientists, doctors and researchers are discovering the incredible link between your GUT HEALTH and your MENTAL WELLBEING.

Turns out that, in some cases, “chronic” diseases such as depression, anxiety and even schizophrenia may be linked to severe imbalances and inflammation in the GUT.

Researchers at Oxford University have found that “prebiotic” supplements (literally the nourishment for the good bacteria in your gut) may have an anti-anxiety effect, as they alter the way people process emotions. The participants of this study not only experienced less anxiety when faced with negative stimuli, but also showed lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol (the stress hormone - “fight or flight”).

For more information on the link between gut and mental health, I would highly encourage you to read the book, A Mind Of Your Own by Dr. Kelly Brogan, M.D.

Symptoms Of Gut Imbalance