What Does Gluten Do?
The glue-like consistency caused by gluten helps certain food items maintain their shape. It is also responsible for giving elasticity to dough, which helps wheat breads rise when baked. This is why when wheat flour is mixed with water, it has a sticky texture similar to glue. However, there are mixed opinions on whether foods with gluten are harmful to everyone or only for people who have Celiac disease. Celiac patients experience an immune reaction that can be harmful to the intestine even if they consume small amounts of gluten. Symptoms of Celiac and gluten intolerance include digestive issues, unexplained weight loss, Depression, chronic fatigue, Iron-Deficiency Anemia, and skin issues. Talk to a healthcare professional if this sounds like you. If gluten is your nemesis, just like must be conscious that you are only eating gluten-free foods, you should ensure that your daily probiotic supplement does not contain any gluten either. With a daily gluten-free probiotic, you can get all the advantages of a quality probiotic supplement while avoiding gluten. Here are 12 unexpected perks of going gluten-free with your probiotics.12 Benefits of Gluten Free Probiotics
1. Improves Digestion
The primary function of probiotics is to boost the number of good bacteria in your gut and maintain a healthy balance of flora. Probiotics with bacterial strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium infantis work to make your gastrointestinal tract stronger and promote digestion. B. infantis is a strain specifically studied in patients suffering from celiac disease. A gluten-free probiotic helps in keeping your digestive tract running at optimum levels. People with gluten intolerance may find relief from most of their common digestive complaints simply by taking a daily gluten-free probiotic supplement.2. Helpful for People with IBS and Leaky Gut Syndrome
Research indicates that gluten-free probiotics can relieve symptoms in people suffering from disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). (2) Regular intake of such a supplement can help decrease the frequency and severity of IBS. Those with leaky gut syndrome too can find relief as the friendly bacteria in probiotics help restore balance in your intestines.3. Reduces Diarrhea
Certain probiotic strains are known to reduce the severity and duration of different types of diarrhea. Studies show that the consumption of probiotic supplements can even work towards prevention of antibiotics-related diarrhea in children. (3) Taking gluten-free probiotics can work additionally to keep your digestive system protected from diarrhea in case you have ingested any foods containing gluten.4. Supports Your Immune System
When you take probiotics every day, you help support the balance of good and bad gut bacteria. The bacteria in gluten-free probiotics prevent the growth of harmful pathogens, in addition to promoting the number of natural antibodies in your intestines. This leads to an improvement in your immune support.5. Supports Your Energy Levels
Chronic fatigue or a frequent lack of energy can be due to an overabundance of bad bacteria. Foods with gluten tend to cause loss of minerals and vitamins. Moreover, in people with Celiac disease, the iron content in food is not absorbed properly which can lead to a feeling of tiredness. Choosing gluten-free probiotics to complement your diet helps fight symptoms of chronic fatigue and support your energy levels.6. Support Metabolism
Eating foods and probiotic supplements that are gluten-free can support metabolism in an all-natural way. An imbalance in the human gut microbiome is connected to obesity, and consuming probiotics promotes digestive health. (4) Probiotics also give you a feeling of fullness for a longer time, reducing your chances of unhealthy snacking.7. Relief from Food Allergies and Eczema
People who suffer from food allergies may fight their symptoms better with regular consumption of gluten-free probiotic supplements. In addition, research suggests that probiotics can reduce the chances of developing an eczema allergy. (5) Another study followed women who consumed probiotics while pregnant and found that the babies born had a reduced risk of developing eczema. (6) Make sure the supplement you choose is allergen-free too, as unnecessary fillers and ingredients can detract from the probiotic benefits you would otherwise receive and even trigger inflammation or an allergic reaction if you are particularly sensitive.8. Supports Nutrient Absorption
Research shows that the right probiotics can support nutrient absorption in your body. The friendly bacteria in your gut break down food and manufacture many vitamins. Supplementing your diet with daily gluten-free probiotic supports this process and extracts the maximum benefits from the nutrients you consume. Other than improved energy levels, optimal absorption of nutrients offers benefits like improved memory and better bone health.9. Helps in Combating Skin Issues
Your gut microbiome has a direct link to your skin, which is why a healthy gut can significantly help in improving your complexion. (7) Balanced gut flora also helps the body eliminate toxins. Taking probiotic supplements to keep your gut in good health can work towards reducing irritating skin conditions like acne and inflammation. Regular consumption can also help those with serious skin issues like psoriasis.10. Better Vaginal Health
Improved vaginal health is one of the top benefits of gluten-free probiotics for women. Regular intake of the lactobacilli strains of bacteria can help with yeast infections and promote quicker healing of other infections like bacterial vaginosis. (8) Moreover, probiotics help maintain healthy pH levels in the body, which leads to improved vaginal health.11. Improved Bone and Cardiovascular Health
According to research, probiotics help maintain healthy levels of cholesterol and blood pressure, leading to better cardiovascular health. (9) Consuming probiotics also aids in rebuilding healthy bones in older people who experience loss of bone density because bone health is directly linked to your gut and intestinal health.12. Positive Effects on Mental Health
Helping fight against symptoms of depression, lowering your stress, and mood imbalances are some of the ways in which probiotics contribute to better mental health. Due to the gut-brain axis, there is a direct connection between your brain and stomach. (10) Probiotics can help help you replenish the healthy bacteria needed to support your mental wellness.Choose a High-Quality Gluten Free Probiotic Today
Taking a daily probiotic supplement that is gluten-free and leading a healthy lifestyle can improve your digestive balance and have a positive effect on overall health. If an additive is not directly required to support your health, it should not be in your dietary supplements. That is why LoveBug Probiotics’ daily supplements contain proprietary blends of probiotics sans unnecessary frills. With LoveBug, rest assured that your probiotic supplement is made without gluten, GMOs, yeast, nuts, sugar, lactose, chemicals, preservatives, soy, and artificial colors or flavors. These daily supplements are also vegan-friendly and do not need refrigeration (shelf-stable for 24 months). Enjoy the perks of a gluten-free supplement as you make your way to great gut health. References- "Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity." Beyond Celiac. Accessed with May 2019. https://www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-disease/non-celiac-gluten-sensitivity/
- Vazquez-Roque, MI, M Camilleri, T Smyrk, JA Murray, E Marietta, J O'Neill, P Carlson, et al. "A controlled trial of gluten-free diet in patients with irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea: effects on bowel frequency and intestinal function." Gastroenterology 144, no. 5 (2013): 903-911.e3. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2013.01.049.
- Goldenberg, JZ, L Lytvyn, J Steurich, P Parkin, S Mahant, and BC Johnston. "Probiotics for the prevention of pediatric antibiotic-associated diarrhea." Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 12, no. CD004827 (2015). doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD004827.
- Ley, RE, PJ Turnbaugh, S Klein, and JI Gordon. "Microbial ecology: human gut microbes associated with obesity." Nature 444, no. 7122 (2006): 1022-3. doi: 10.1038/4441022a.
- Pelto, L, E Isolauri, EM Lilius, J Nuutila, and S Salminen. "Probiotic bacteria down-regulate the milk-induced inflammatory response in milk-hypersensitive subjects but have an immunostimulatory effect in healthy subjects." Clin Exp Allergy 28, no. 12 (1998): 1474-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10024217.
- Rautava, S, E Kainonen, S Salminen, and E Isolauri. "Maternal probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and breast-feeding reduces the risk of eczema in the infant." J Allergy Clin Immunol 130, no. 6 (2012): 1355-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.09.003.
- Salem, Iman, Amy Ramser, Nancy Isham, and Mahmoud A. Ghannoum. "The Gut Microbiome as a Major Regulator of the Gut-Skin Axis." Front Microbiol 9, 1459 (2018). doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.01459.
- Hilton, E, HD Isenberg, P Alperstein, K France, and MT Borenstein. "Ingestion of yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus as prophylaxis for candidal vaginitis." Ann Intern Med 116, no. 5 (1992): 353-7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1736766.
- Jones, ML, CJ Martoni, and S Prakash. "Cholesterol lowering and inhibition of sterol absorption by Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242: a randomized controlled trial." Eur J Clin Nutr 66, no. 11 (2012): 1234-41. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2012.126.
- "The gut-brain axis: interactions between enteric microbiota, central and enteric nervous systems." Ann Gastroenterol 28, no. 2 (2015): 203-209. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367209/.