With Flu Season in full force I thought I would do a post about how we can prevent illness...introducing PROBIOTICS!
WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS
-Organisms such as bacteria or yeast that are believed to improve health.
WHY ARE PROBIOTICS IMPORTANT TO YOUR HEALTH?
In your digestive tract you have more than 500 types of "good bacteria" and "bad bacteria". Probiotics help the "good bacteria" flourish. When you are taking an antibiotic, it kills the good and the bad bacteria. Which is why patients at my hospital will always be taking a probiotic if they are on any kind of antibiotic. You need the good bacteria to help keep your intestines healthy and assist in digesting food. Also introducing friendly bacteria is believed to challenge the immune system in healthy ways.
WHAT THEY DO FOR YOU
-improved digestion
-help maintain a strong immune system
-improved vitamin synthesis
-reduced risk of Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
-treating irritable bowel syndrome
-helps restore intestinal balance when diarrhea throws it off
-help fight bacteria that cause diarrhea
-help maintain the integrity of the lining of the intestines
WHAT THEY DO FOR YOU BABY (IF YOUR BREASTFEEDING)
-breast milk has prebiotics which promote the growth of probiotics in a baby's gut.
-treat acute diarrhea
-help reduce gas
-help reduce colic
-treating/preventing eczema
GOOD SOURCES OF PROBIOTICS
-Yogurt (look for ones that contain lactobacillus and bifidobacteria)
-Look for products that contain "live cultures"
-Frozen Yogurt (the more tart the better) RED MANGO!
-Kefir (3x that found in yogurt)
-Soft cheeses (Gouda)
-Fermented Vegetables (sauerkraut and pickles)
-Miso Soup (fermented soybeans)
-Kombucha Tea (you have probably seen these at the grocery store-Synergy Drinks)
-Sourdough Bread- yum!
-Supplements (powders, tablets, capsules)
Picture at the top: (This is my favorite one yet! It tastes sooo good- like really tart frozen blueberry yogurt. All you take is a tablespoon a day. I got it at Sprouts Grocery Store--in the refridgerated supplement section ).
***The only reason why you shouldn't consume probiotics is if you have a weakened immune systems or serious illness ***
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