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Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that benefit the digestive system. People generally think of bacteria and other microorganisms as the causative factors of various diseases. The fact is, that the human body is occupied by bacteria, both good and bad for the health. These bacteria, called probiotics, however, are involved in many natural, essential bodily processes. There are many foods that can replace and replenish these healthy bacteria in our digestive tract that may have been lost due to illness or high doses of medicines, like antibiotics.
Probiotics are effective in treating many gut related problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, and bloating. Probiotics are important for urinary, vaginal, and oral health.ย Probiotics have external benefits, too; they can help minimize the side effects of many skin problems, such as eczema.
There are several ways to incorporate probiotics into your diet.
- Yogurt: Yogurt is a great source of probiotics. Make sure you choose yogurt that is labeled as having โlive and active cultures.โ Yogurt is also loaded with vitamins like B5 and B12, which are important for blood and nerve cells. It also contains major and minor minerals such as potassium, zinc, iodine, and phosphorus, all of which take part in various important body processes like maintaining healthy blood pressure and slowing the aging process.
- Pickles: Pickles made through lacto-fermentationโa pickling technique that does not use vinegarโare rich in probiotics. (Vinegar contains acetic acid, which has an impact on probiotics, making traditional pickles less effective for probiotic purposes.) Pickles containing sea salt and water are more beneficial because this mixture feeds the growth of good bacteria, helping maintain a good digestive system.
- Take a probiotic supplement such as Renew Life50 billion. Make sure to look for a probiotic that can survive stomach acid and one that has a variety of different strains. You can find probiotics at your local health food store.
Some other good sources of probiotics include Sauerkraut; miso soup, a fermented soybean paste that is also rich in vitamin B and antioxidants; kefir; sourdough bread; tempeh, which is also made of fermented soybeans and packed with proteins.
Take your pick, and do your body some good!