What Supplement Should Everyone Be Taking?
When accompanied by an anti-inflammatory diet, supplements can help restore the health of an individual's immune system, balance hormonal issues speed up metabolism, naturally detox the body, and vastly improve gut health. There are supplements out there for just about anything, including multivitamins based on age as well as gender. But with all of these options out there, it can be hard for some individuals to know exactly what they should be taking.
As countless medical conditions begin with an impaired digestive tract, it is one of the most important body systems for individuals to focus on when they are looking to improve their overall health. With this in mind, there is one particular kind of supplement just about everyone should be taking. Curious? Find out all about what it is and the details on how it is beneficial to the body now.
What Are Probiotics?
To put it simply, probiotics are the 'good' bacteria found in the gut. They are living organisms that influence the structural and architectural components of an individual's digestive tract. When harmful toxins and substances accumulate in the gut, it causes inflammation, which impacts the immune system and the digestive process. While probiotics are contained in certain foods, many will recognize the name from labels on many different kinds of yogurt, it can occasionally be difficult for individuals to get enough of them, hence why supplements are often a consideration. Probiotic supplements are an excellent way to support the health of the entire body by preventing disease, flushing toxins out of the gastrointestinal tract, and improving nutrient absorption.
Learn about how to pick a species of probiotic next.
Pick A Species
There a quite a few different strains of probiotics out there, so when picking out a supplement, it is important to know which ones are worth investing in. Individuals should look for a probiotic supplement that contains at least a few strains each of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. These are two of the most researched strains of probiotics, and they have the most proven health benefits, including preventing urinary tract infections, improving digestive function, lessening the severity of irritable bowel disease, lowering cholesterol, managing symptoms of autism, alleviating food-borne illnesses, reducing stomach bloat, improving acne and the common cold, as well as aiding in weight-loss.
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Increase Bacterial Diversity
Just as it is important for everyone to eat a wide variety of foods with different nutrients, it is also important for individuals to get probiotics from a wide range of sources. Everyone responds to different probiotic strains in their own way, which means the exact breakdown of what individuals should take can vary. With this in mind, however, one of the best ways to find the right strain of probiotics is by increasing bacterial diversity. Hyperbiotics are a supplement that includes both probiotics and prebiotics, which are needed for 'good' bacteria to flourish in the gut.
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Pick A Product That Reaches The Gut
Probiotics need to reach the individual's digestive tract before they can work to their maximum effectiveness. Before they get there, probiotics must first survive the harsh, acidic environment of stomach acid. Unfortunately, research shows only about four percent of most probiotics survive the journey from the individual's stomach to their small intestine. With this in mind, individuals should look for a product with a coating strong enough to keep the probiotics alive until they are able to reach their final destination. Some products even use a controlled-release delivery that gets at least sixty percent of their product to the intestines.
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Watch For Added Ingredients
Many different supplements and specific brands, including probiotics, have added ingredients that subtract from the quality of the product hidden in their capsules. So in order to get the best quality product with the most health benefits, individuals should be sure to stay away from any probiotic with added sugar, food dyes, and preservatives. Soy, gluten, and lactose should also be avoided as these are inflammatory ingredients that can actually sometimes reverse the work of a probiotic. If a product comes in capsule form, it can be broken apart and added to food to prevent consuming the outer coating, which can sometimes help with its effectiveness.
Reveal details on keeping probiotics alive next.
Keeping Probiotics Alive
When it comes down to it, probiotics are only beneficial to an individual's health if they are alive when they reach the intestines. When purchasing probiotics, therefore, individuals should always be sure to check the expiration date of any supplement to not only make sure it has not expired but that there is also still sufficient time to consume the supplements before they do expire. Individuals should also check to see if the probiotic they want to purchase needs to be stored in the refrigerator or if it can survive without the cold temperatures. Some probiotics will die if they spend too much time in room temperature. Thus, individuals should keep this in mind when ordering a probiotic off the internet as the long journey may kill off the bacteria before it arrives.
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Do Research
As unfortunate as it is, probiotics are not regulated in some areas, which means their product label can make just about any claim it wants to. Supplement companies are also responsible for monitoring and evaluating their own products in a variety of ways, so individuals should make sure to conduct the appropriate amount of research to find a reputable company that goes above and beyond to make sure they deliver the highest quality product to their customers, whether this is from them to the store and then to the customer, or straight to the consumer. Individuals should do some research online to find a trusted brand and see how they regulate their supplements and ship their product. Alternatively, they can visit a local health store and ask an expert for advice.