What is it?

I’ve written in the past about probiotics but the other day I received a question about how to figure out which one I need and how is the best way and time to take them. After thinking about this for a while I decided to deviate from my usual blog to bring you information about specific products and their uses. I’m going to do a deeper dive into the question asked.
Before you can decide what probiotic, you want you need to know why you want it. Do you have digestive issues such as bloating or ulcerative colitis? Do you have IBS? Do you need immune support to prevent infections or to help your immune system eliminate bacteria that are harmful? Maybe you want to treat yeast problems or urinary tract issues. How about allergies, weight loss, anxiety or depression? Do you have chronic inflammation? These are all great reasons to take probiotics but, which one?
Not only do you have to know what you are trying to treat or prevent you need to know how you want to get probiotics into your system. Do you want to get them from food sources, powders, capsules or maybe a combination of all the above.

Once those questions are answered, then it is time to choose your product.

Let’s start with products for GI problems.

• For digestion, diarrhea and heartburn, choose a product with Lactobacillus
• Use Lactobacillus cases/piracies for Inflammatory bowel disease.
• If IBS-C is the issue, choose Bifidobacterium or Bifidobacterium Lactis B12
• For IBS Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM should be the choice. Lactobacillus acidophilus helps to balance harmful bacteria
• Lactobacillus paracasei may help to prevent colds and flu. It can increase the number of natural killer cells.
• Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG). In children this may help to decrease the risk of middle ear and respiratory infections
• Bifidobacterium strains. These strains may help to support the immune system by preventing excessive immune responses.

Weight Loss

• To help with regulating appetite you might choose Lactobacillus rhamnousus or Bacteroides uniformis CECT7771, Studies in animals have shown that this pro-biotic may reduce weight gain, modulate neurotransmitter levels and influence appetite regulation.
• For improving gut health and reducing fat storage try Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus plantarum and Bifidobacterium
• Increasing energy consumption by trying Bifidobacterium and lactobacillus strains. They work by supporting gut health which in turn allows the production of B vitamins. B vitamins are necessary for energy production.
• Alter hormone balances with Lactobacillus. Hormonal balance is tied to gut health, endometrial and vaginal microbiome.
• Improve insulin sensitivity with Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus thermophilus. Again, this helps with gut health by lowering the levels of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS is a marker of leaking of bacteria. Pro biotics allow the body to increase response to insulin because they may decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Allergies

Try lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces for this issue.
• Allergies may be helped by the improvement of the immune system. Probiotics rev up the production of antibodies and regulate immune cell activity.
• Probiotics might boost the different types of microbiotas which can reduce allergic airway disease, think Asthma. There isn’t much information that this is effective, but it might fall into the category of “Can’t hurt, might help”.

Urinary tract and yeast infections

• Lactobacillus: It is thought that probiotics might help with this problem by establishing and maintaining and healthy balance of bacteria in the ascending urinary tract, They may provide a barrier against infectious pathogens.

When is the best time to take probiotics? The answer to this question is all over the board. Some say on an empty stomach, some say with meals, some say meals with fat in them. In general, it is best to take them on an empty stomach because when you eat the stomach releases acid and acid can break down the probiotic. If you want to take them with food, then the type of food matters. Take them with carbs, fat, and proteins. Milk and yogurt (not fat free) are also great to take with probiotics. They may help boost colonization. You need to make this decision based on what works best for you. Consult with your healthcare provider if you are confused or just have questions, but especially if you have underlying health conditions.

Another issue with probiotics is they must contain enough of the strain and be packaged properly so that they will survive passing through the stomach’s acidic environment. Light, high temperatures, and moisture can degrade the products bacteria so that they cannot perform the way that they are supposed to. The manufacturer may package their products properly but you the consumer must also take care to store and use them properly. That means keeping them in a cool dry place and using by the use by date. It is important to purchase probiotics from a reliable source. Yes, they might be more expensive, but you will get what you pay for.

Just to sum up, when choosing a probiotic make sure you look at the ingredients so that you are sure you are getting the right stuff for your issue, take as directed, buy from a reliable source, and watch for use buy dates.

If you have any questions or comments, you can contact me
SupplementsScribblesmz@outlook.com
To purchase from a reliable brand contact Xymogen
http://www.wholescript.com/register/healthrenew2-thomas

I may receive a small commission if you purchase from this site.

#muchmorethanjustvitamins