Fermented foods and shelf-stable probiotics are excellent sources of beneficial bacteria, according to SF Weekly Probiotics. They help to maintain a healthy gut microbiome and improve digestion. Those who are not familiar with the benefits of probiotics can learn about them in this article. For the rest of us, there’s more to it than meets the eye. Let’s explore a few of these benefits. And remember, your relationship with microbes is lifelong.
Fermented Foods
While the health benefits of fermented foods may seem obvious, you might not be aware of these foods’ probiotic content. Recent studies indicate that the gut bacteria in modern Americans are not replenished as often as they were in previous generations. Changing diets and hygiene practices are also suspected to be contributing to the decline of beneficial bacteria. Fortunately, there are many foods and beverages that contain these organisms. These foods are available in natural food stores and even supermarkets. You can also make your own.
Studies have found that fermented foods contain a diversity of beneficial microbes that can survive gastric transit and reach the colon. In fact, most LAB found in fermented foods has intrinsic characteristics that make them capable of surviving this transition, such as acid and bile tolerance. Fermented food microbes can transiently make up as little as 0.1% of the bacteria in the large intestine, but may constitute a similar proportion in the small intestine.
Fermented foods are rich in live cultures. Most are found in yogurt and kefir, as well as Korean pickled vegetables and sauerkraut. Some pickles contain vinegar or no liquid at all, which means they don’t contain any probiotics. Look for a label that says “naturally fermented” and looks for bubbles in the liquid. These are signs that the food contains live organisms.
Although fermented foods contain numerous beneficial microorganisms, some are not as good for your health as you might think. These bacteria are known to produce mycotoxins. However, thankfully, domestication has eliminated most of the mycotoxigenic lineages of Aspergillus and Penicillium. These organisms produce citrulline, a precursor to acrolein, which is toxic to the human body.
Shelf-stable Probiotics
There are some key differences between shelf-stable and refrigerated probiotics. In general, shelf-stable probiotics do not require refrigeration, but they do need to be protected from heat and humidity. Some strains cannot survive at room temperature and need to be refrigerated, while others do not require refrigeration at all. However, you should still follow the manufacturer’s recommended storage conditions.
Some shelf-stable probiotic supplements contain blends of several spore-forming bacteria. In a study published in the European Journal of Nutrition, these mixtures are more effective than single-strain supplements for improving certain health conditions. This is because each strain contains different health benefits, so combining strains can give you a wider range of health benefits. Shelf-stable probiotics are also a good alternative to refrigerated ones.
However, it is important to know that the number of bacteria in shelf-stable probiotic supplements depends on their brand name and manufacturer. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that some shelf-stable probiotics contain smaller amounts of live bacteria than stated on the label. In this case, quality testing is essential. Make sure to look for products that have between one and 10 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) per serving.
Studies on human subjects have shown that probiotics may decrease the inflammation in the gut and reduce the autoimmune response in diabetics. One 2014 meta-analysis suggested that probiotics may be used to treat diabetes. Additionally, probiotics may also help prevent dangerous diseases in newborns, such as necrotizing enterocolitis and neonatal sepsis. Both conditions affect approximately 80-100 million people in the U.S. and are often life-threatening for premature babies and those with low birth weight.
They Help Maintain a Healthy Gut Microbiome
Although the overuse of antibiotics has helped to cure many illnesses, it also has damaged the balance of the gut’s bacterial population. While antibiotics kill bad bacteria, they also destroy the beneficial ones, so it’s vital to take probiotics to restore the balance. Antibiotics are highly effective for treating certain illnesses, but they also cause a number of side effects, including diarrhea.
In addition to aiding digestion, probiotics help maintain a healthy gut microbe ecosystem. Several of the bacteria in the gut produce short-chain fatty acids that nourish intestinal cells. These acids are associated with a number of benefits, including lowering the risk of cancer and increasing calcium absorption. They also act as signals in the body and regulate the function of immune and epithelial cells.
Although the majority of probiotics are naturally present in our bodies, a daily supplement may not be necessary to keep our gut microbiome in balance. There are many other natural sources of probiotics and prebiotics, including fermented foods and beverages. Even dietary supplements contain them. The FDA has yet to approve the use of dietary supplements containing probiotics. For more information, check out our article on probiotics and the benefits they provide.
It is important to note that gut microbes also protect us from harmful bacteria. Some gut microbes are known to stimulate the mucus lining intestinal cells, forming a protective barrier. By colonizing these cells, they compete for nutrients and attachment sites, leaving less room for harmful microbes to survive. Besides that, they produce naturally occurring antibiotics and acidic metabolites that lower the pH level of the gut.
They Improve Digestion
Many people wonder how probiotics improve digestion. Some studies show that probiotics can improve digestion. But the effects depend on the strain of bacteria in the human gut, as well as how the body processes them. Everyone’s body metabolizes probiotics differently. But probiotics may be a good option for preventing diarrhea and improving the health of your digestive tract. If you’re curious about whether or not probiotics can improve your digestion, read on to learn more about how they work.
Probiotics help with the digestive process, and they are especially beneficial for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, a condition characterized by bloating, wind, and constipation. In addition to improving digestive symptoms, probiotics also improve the symptoms of other digestive conditions, like Ulcerative Colitis. And they may help with the symptoms of H Pylori, a bacteria that can cause heartburn, indigestion, and stomach bloating.
The human gut is home to 100 trillion microorganisms. These microorganisms play vital roles in digestion, immunity, and metabolic processes. By taking probiotics, your body can restore the balance of these bacteria and maintain healthy microbiota. They can also be found in foods, including yogurt, and in supplements. Probiotics can improve your mood. So, it’s a good idea to supplement with yogurt or take a probiotic supplement.
If you’re not convinced that probiotics are worth their hype, consider this study conducted by Dr. Koen Venema at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. The study showed that the consumption of 1 billion CFU of GanedenBC30 improved the body’s ability to digest protein. It significantly increased the amount of total nitrogen and Alpha Amino Nitrogen, which is a proxy for free amino acids. Moreover, probiotics improved the absorption of protein and reduced the delivery of unabsorbed protein to the colon. And this is not all.
They Boost the Immune
It is not known exactly how probiotics work to boost the immune system, but there is an obvious connection between them and the immune system. It is thought that they stimulate the development of the innate immune response. These bacteria stimulate innate immune cells through their interactions with the cell wall and their metabolites. Probiotics also increase the function of dendritic cells and macrophages, two key immune cells in the body. In addition to boosting innate immunity, probiotics have the ability to stimulate the adaptive immune response and enhance B cell differentiation, T cell homing, and Th17 cell stimulation.
There are many benefits to taking probiotics, but you should always check the label to ensure that it is safe for you. Some of the best probiotics are those that are designed to fight infections and bacterial overgrowth. Other types of probiotics are specifically formulated for different ages. Probiotics can help you get a healthy digestive system. For best results, use probiotics when you are young and healthy. They can also boost the immune system of those who are already at an advanced age.
Studies suggest that probiotics may also improve the digestive system and reduce symptoms of bowel disorders. Because probiotics fight off harmful bacteria in the gut, they may boost the immune system. Clinical trials have shown that probiotics can relieve gastrointestinal problems, fight allergy development in children, prevent yeast infections in women, and improve the health of people who have chronic GI problems. They may also help prevent some cancers by signaling the gut bacteria to reduce the production of carcinogens.
