Research shows that maintaining the gut microbiome balance between good and bad gut bacteria has several health benefits. Probiotics present in fermented food or in probiotic supplements can help maintain this balance. Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that support provide many health benefits when consumed in sufficient amounts. If you're still on the fence about trying probiotics, here are 9 reasons why you should try probiotic supplements this spring.

Boost your immune system

Gut flora and your immune system are connected to each other. Almost 80% of the immune system lies in your gut. Therefore, if you want to enjoy the benefits of a highly effective immune system, it is critical to make sure that your gut is healthy. If the balance is not maintained between good and bad bacteria, your immune system will definitely be adversely affected. Research suggests that probiotic consumption can regulate the responses of your immune system.

Improve nutrient absorption

Eating healthy food will not help if your intestines cannot absorb the nutrients properly. Bacteria and enzymes in the gut are responsible for breaking down food and providing proper nutrition to the body. When the balance of the gut microbiome is disturbed, it can result in malabsorption of nutrients. Probiotic supplements are found to be helpful because they maintain gut permeability. One study showed that probiotic supplements decrease gastrointestinal symptoms and improve gut permeability in children suffering from atopic dermatitis.

Maintain a healthy digestive system

A shift in the balance of the gut flora can result in a variety of digestive problems like diarrhea and indigestion. Research has indicated that certain strains of probiotics are effective in alleviating the symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders like clostridium difficile colitis (CDC), antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and infectious diarrhea.

Say goodbye to mood swings

Also known as the ‘second brain’, the gut has a bidirectional relationship with the brain. Approximately 90% of the serotonin in the body is produced by the microorganisms in the gut. This neurotransmitter is typically responsible for affecting a person’s behavior and emotions. When the probiotics maintain a balance of gut flora, they also ensure that there is no imbalance in the production of serotonin, which in turn helps with your mood problems. Studies have shown that probiotic supplements help alleviate depressive symptoms.

Combat bad breath

In some cases, the imbalance of gut microbiome can result in halitosis or bad breath. Several studies have shown that the probiotic strain Streptococcus salivarius (K12) can help you combat bad breath by inhibiting the growth of microbes responsible for the condition.

Prevent allergies

Taken by pregnant women and babies, probiotics may help reduce the risk of developing skin allergies by 50%. While some scientists believe this is the result of probiotics boosting the immune system, others are of the opinion that they prevent antigens from causing any skin rash. Although more research needs to be done, there is scientific evidence that probiotic supplements help prevent or alleviate skin problems.

Ease your fatigue

In today’s fast-paced world, many people suffer from perpetual fatigue and tiredness. This could be due to dehydration, poor digestion, and less energy production in the gut. Taking probiotic supplements helps balance the gut microbiome, thereby seeing to it that the digestive system and nutrition absorption is taking place at an optimum level. The link between probiotics and fatigue becomes clear from one study that states people with chronic fatigue syndrome have reduced diversity in their gut flora.

Meet your weight-loss goals

The balance of gut microbiome plays an important role in the metabolism rate of an individual. By maintaining this equilibrium, probiotics ensure that the metabolism rate is up to speed, and this is very helpful when you are trying to lose weight. Taking probiotic supplements ensures that an imbalanced gut flora does not cause any drastic mood swings or comfort food cravings. According to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, some probiotic strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus can help women to lose and maintain a healthy weight.

Get glowing healthy skin

Your skin and gastrointestinal tract have one thing in common – they are both responsible for detoxification. The skin is the largest organ, and its main job is to protect the body from any external threats. The skin also reflects the overall health and well-being of your inner body systems. If you have any hormonal, nutritional, or immunity issues, you are likely to have acne or other skin problems. By maintaining the balance in your gut and boosting your immune system, probiotic supplements ensure that you have healthy and glowing skin. Studies have shown that probiotics help in treating skin problems like acne and UV-induced skin damage, too.

Choosing the Right Probiotic

Probiotic supplements can help you meet all your weight-loss goals while steering you clear of many potential health problems. LoveBug Probiotics offers you a wide range of probiotic supplements for people of all ages, including probiotics for women and probiotics for babies. These supplements are proven to be 15 times more effective than other counterparts because of LoveBug’s patented Bio-tract delivery system. At LoveBug, you can find probiotic supplements that are tailored to your needs.

References

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Ö. Özdemir and A. Yasemin Göksu Erol, “Preventative and therapeutic probiotic use in allergic skin conditions: experimental and clinical findings,” BioMed Research International, vol. 2013, Article ID 932391, 17 pages, 2013.

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Suresh, K & Krishna, Suresh & K Adam, Jamila & Govender, Patrick. (2012). The use of probiotics and safety concerns: A review. African journal of microbiology research. 6. 6871-6877. 10.5897/AJMR12.1281.

Rosenfeldt, Vibeke et al. Effect of probiotics on gastrointestinal symptoms and small intestinal permeability in children with atopic dermatitis. The Journal of Pediatrics , Volume 145 , Issue 5 , 612 - 616
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