The Benefits of PROBIOTICS!

The gut microbiota, which describes the microorganisms living and growing inside your digestive tract is a hot topic right now! Exciting new research shows the benefits of probiotics and how these microbes have a profound impact on the many aspects of your health and wellbeing.

Taking probiotics (specific strains of beneficial bacteria) can positively influence these microorganisms and lead to improvements, not only in your digestive and immune health but the health of your whole body.

Is Your Gut Out of Balance?

An imbalance in the gut microbiota is linked to numerous health conditions, both within the gut and throughout the body. You may have experienced symptoms such as bloating, wind, abdominal pain, and discomfort; signs of poor immunity (e.g. frequent colds and flu); or been plagued by allergies or skin conditions such as eczema. These may arise due to disturbances to the intricate balance of intestinal bacteria.

Many common lifestyle factors including alcohol consumption, medications (e.g. antibiotics), processed foods, and stress can disrupt this delicate balance and lead to an increase in undesirable bacteria or deficiencies in beneficial bacteria.

This imbalance has been associated with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), asthma, and autoimmune diseases (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis). In these cases, when taken in the right dosage, the benefits of probiotics are again evident when they help to restore the correct balance of bacteria and ultimately reinstate health.

It is now more important than ever to support your gastrointestinal microbiota!

How Do Probiotics Work?

Specific probiotic strains help to rebuild the disrupted microbiota and act like policemen within the gut, restoring peace amongst the ‘citizens’ of the microbiota.

Probiotics have a regulating effect on both disease-promoting and beneficial bacteria; undesirable bacteria are kept at minimal levels, meanwhile promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria.

This exciting new news is in contrast to earlier thoughts that probiotics repopulated the gut by directly replacing any bad bugs living there.

Instead, probiotics help to restore the numbers and types of beneficial bacteria unique to you; rebuilding a healthy and diverse community of beneficial microbiota, and enabling them to function at their best, so you too can feel your best!

The Correct Strains at the Right Dose

There can be significant variation between probiotic strains.

Different strains not only have different actions in your body but also deliver different health benefits. Additionally, different doses of the same strain can have varying effects on the body.

Naturopaths at Your Wellness Centre can tailor your treatment by selecting specific probiotic strains at the right dose to address your individual health concerns.

These may include:

Bifidobacterium animalis ssp lactis (BB-12®) – This super strain assists in rebuilding the gut microbiota and helps to rebalance bacteria after a course of antibiotics.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus (LGG®) – Commonly referred to as LGG®, this probiotic strain helps to regulate immune function, and in doing so may be useful for the treatment of autoimmune conditions, allergies, and eczema.

Probiotic Protection

Appropriate probiotic storage is of utmost importance to ensure the bacteria remain alive, strong, and healthy – essentially in a healthy state to restore your healthy state.

In nearly all instances, probiotics must be stored at stable temperatures within the fridge to keep them alive and active.

The only exception is when they are protected by PROTECTAIR™ technology as this has been shown to minimize moisture levels (moisture ‘activates’ probiotics, which you don’t want to happen until they are in your body!).

This technology has been developed to allow certain probiotic strains to remain out of the fridge for a set period of time, while still remaining stable and effective, so you get results.

Practitioner Recommended Probiotics Are Best

It is essential to source your probiotics based on the recommendation of a qualified Natural Health Practitioner.

This ensures that the formula contains the correct strains at the right dosage and combination to address your specific health needs.

Practitioners at Your Wellness Centre will prescribe probiotics that provide high strength, therapeutic doses of bacteria, beneficial for managing your health.

To restore peace and balance amongst the ‘citizens’ of your marvelous microbiota, ring Your Wellness Centre on 9879 9596 or contact us.

Take the step toward a healthier you!

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