Why Take Probiotics
There is a lot of talk in the United States about probiotic supplements, and how they are great for health. Traditionally, there is a very small amount of probiotics in our regular food; but in several European and Asian cuisines, it is widely used and consumed. Fermented foods and drinks contain probiotics, and have been considered healthy by these people since ancient times.
So what do we mean by probiotics? Well, it is nothing other than live bacteria. Shocked? Amazed? Stunned – or all of the above? Don’t be! You already have around 100 trillion microorganisms of over 500 species living in your intestines, and no, you’re not sick. In fact, you’re not sick because they inhabit your intestines!
Ok, now that this information has sunk in, let’s take some time to understand what these bacteria do inside our bodies. These creatures actually help in maintaining a healthy digestive system and can help in treating many conditions like Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and so on. Probiotics can be instrumental in helping women maintain good vaginal health by keeping infection causing bacteria like candida and yeast at bay; they can also keep the urinary tract free of infection. It is also believed that probiotics strengthen the immune system by helping the body fight common infections like cold, flu and the like.
They help break down the food we eat – fruits, vegetables, meats or anything else – into the nutrients that are necessary for our bodies. Only when the nutrients are released from our food do we get the energy to perform our daily activities.
Foods like yogurt, curd, buttermilk, sourdough, sour cream, kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, miso soup, tempeh, idli, dosa and so on contain probiotics, and if you consume any of them on a daily basis, you are already ahead in the game.
Watch above video to learn more about how taking a probiotic supplement every day can be beneficial for you and why we recommend it to all our patients. In it, we will also give you some tips on choosing your probiotics, the difference between refrigerated and non-refrigerated probiotic supplements, and the reason why all types of probiotics may not be suitable for everyone. Probiotic supplements are part of naturopathic healing regimen for digestive problems.
Of course, taking probiotic supplements is not the only thing you need to achieve optimal wellness. You may need a whole lot more. At the Young Naturopathic Center for Wellness at Los Gatos, California, we can tell you how you can enjoy lifelong good health, after a consultation – which we are offering free! Once we establish what ails you, we can come up with a wellness plan specially formulated to resolve your specific health issues and help minimize or prevent the onset of further disease.
To book your FREE consultation session at our clinic with our Patient Care Concierge, please click the link below:
