Importance and Benefits of Probiotics

We tend to think of bacteria negatively, but probiotics are just the opposite. Our bodies have a symbiotic relationship with these microorganisms.

Probiotics promote immune health, digestive health, brain health, emotional wellness and more.

Begins in the gut
Did you realize that over 60% of your immune system is located in your digestive system? That brings a whole new meaning to “you are what you eat!”

Actually, almost all of your bodily systems rely on balanced gut health to function at their best. Unfortunately, many aspects of a modern life can deplete our gut microbiome. Stress, pollution, processed foods, lack of nutrients and other factors can unbalance the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Luckily, good bacteria produce enzymes that help balance bacteria in our digestive system and support our body’s ability to absorb nutrients.

Food Sources of Probiotics
As a fermented dairy product, yogurt is a natural source of friendly bacteria, but only if the label specifies that it contains “live, active cultures.”

Other unpasteurized fermented dairy products like kefir contain probiotics. Unpasteurized fermented vegetables (for example, sauerkraut and kimchi, both of which are made from types of cabbage) and kombucha also contain probiotics.

The fermentation is what allows friendly bacteria to thrive, making fermented foods the original source of gut-nourishing probiotics. However, if a brand of sauerkraut has been made using vinegar, for example, it likely does not contain live bacteria since vinegar prohibits bacterial growth.

Another limitation to keep in mind is that heating probiotic-rich foods can easily destroy all the live beneficial bacteria in a product.  

Since different fermented foods naturally produce different bacterial strains, we need to eat a variety of foods. Yogurts, for example, contain Lactobacillus strains, which are in the small intestine and produce lactase and lactic acid to break down nutrients and support digestion. The strain most associated with fermented veggie is Leuconostoc mesenteroides while miso, the traditional Japanese seasoning, made from fermented soybeans or grains, typically contains Lactobacilli and Bifidus strains.  

Probiotics Beyond Gut Health
Some friendly bacteria only live in our mouth and help promote oral health. These friendly bacteria protect against the proliferation of other bacteria that can cause bad breath. Probiotics are also important for females. The lactobacilli strains support and maintain vaginal and urinary tract health. These strains may protect the urogenital tract by excreting biosurfactants that help keep vaginal tissues clean and healthy.