Probiotics: everything you need to know
You've probably heard about probiotics in many advertisements and health articles. Probiotics promote good intestinal and digestive health. They are available in several forms on the market, and there are more and more probiotic products sold in different dosage forms.
But how do you know which ones are designed for your particular situation? Can they treat multiple health problems at once? Are there any contraindications or side effects?
To help you answer all your questions, we have written this article, which gathers all the information you need to know about probiotics. Feel free to refer to it as needed, as we will regularly update it. Happy reading!
Why take probiotics?
Did you know that there are billions of bacteria in the human body's intestinal system? A good portion of them have very specific functions and ensure the proper functioning of the intestines. Other bacteria, which can spread diseases, are also present in this area and can harm your health if they are present in too large numbers.
Sometimes, a bacterial imbalance occurs in the intestines of some people. This imbalance can have several causes, such as stress, smoking, or taking antibiotics, which can kill microorganisms. The intestine then lacks bacteria to ensure its proper functioning, and harmful bacteria can then take advantage of this to multiply. This allows them to cause inflammation, infections, or diarrhea in some people. To treat these problems, probiotics can be prescribed to affected individuals.
Composed of non-harmful bacterial strains, probiotics therefore serve to fill the lack of microorganisms in your digestive system and to restore your intestinal flora. Many probiotic bacteria treat several intestinal problems at once (infections, constipation, etc.), while others treat only one specific problem. To learn more about how probiotics work, we invite you to consult one of our previous articles on the subject.
Also, it is important to differentiate probiotics from prebiotics, which have a completely different function. Indeed, the former serve to restore your intestinal flora, while the latter serve as nutrients for the former. It is also possible to ingest prebiotics, but they will primarily promote the growth of certain bacteria rather than replace those that are missing in your intestine.
Probiotics in your diet
Contrary to popular belief, probiotics are not only found in product form on our shelves. In fact, you can also find them naturally in certain specific foods. Yogurt, for example, contains a good amount and is very useful for your intestinal health. Other foods and drinks, such as sauerkraut, kombucha, and kefir, can also be interesting sources of probiotics. Some grocery stores also offer products enriched with probiotics, such as dairy products or cereals. So don't hesitate to inquire to find the ones that suit you!
How to know if you need probiotics?
You should know that the restoration of intestinal flora will be different for each person. A sick person, for example, might need probiotics to help their digestive system fight inflammation, while another person might restore their metabolism naturally. Therefore, probiotics may have no effect on you due to your health condition.
Also note that probiotic bacterial strains are not always compatible with those of the human body. They help prevent bad bacteria from proliferating in your intestine and promote the multiplication of good bacteria. However, they will often be evacuated after a certain time. You will therefore need to take probiotics for a certain period for your intestinal flora to return to normal.
Can you take probiotics with antibiotics?
Antibiotics are very useful, often even essential, for destroying harmful bacteria and treating various infections or diseases. However, when they are in the intestines, they do not differentiate between good bacteria and those that can harm you. Thus, by destroying all bacteria in their path, they can end up disrupting your intestinal flora and causing inflammation or diarrhea. This is why many people take probiotics to alleviate this problem.
Despite what some people might think, taking antibiotics and probiotics at the same time is feasible and should even be encouraged. Nevertheless, be careful not to take them at the same time of day. To make it easier for you to restore your intestinal flora, it is usually recommended to wait at least two hours after taking antibiotics before ingesting probiotics.
What are the benefits of probiotics?
For chronic intestinal disorders
We often recommend our customers Supreme Flora colon care by Renew Life, available at Naterro's store. In addition to offering good value for money, this product is very effective for:
- treating constipation;
- chronic diarrhea;
- colitis;
- irritable bowel syndrome.
Available in capsules containing 80 billion bacteria, it offers effective protection to ensure the maintenance of your good intestinal health.
For women's health
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Treatment of urinary tract infections.
If you are a woman and suffer from a urinary tract infection, we recommend trying probiotics for women developed for the prevention of urinary tract infections offered by Genuine Health. Specifically designed for women, this product offers capsules containing over 15 different bacterial strains to help you maintain good vaginal health. Some of these can also reduce vaginal pH and provide antimicrobial support against microorganisms that can cause UTIs (urinary tract infections). It is therefore an excellent product to allow you to continue your daily activities without hassle and pain.
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Treatment of vaginitis.
Among other infections that can occur in women, vaginitis is also one that can become very unpleasant when it occurs. In addition to causing itching, it can cause foul-smelling vaginal discharge, itching, dryness, and even burning.
To help you treat this health problem without using harmful products, Vagiflore probiotics from the Flora brand are the perfect solution for you. Thanks to its capsules containing non-GMO strains, this product will allow you to maintain healthy vaginal flora and reduce the amount of microorganisms causing symptoms related to vaginal infections naturally. You can now say goodbye to vaginitis, one daily capsule at a time!
What are the contraindications and potential side effects?
Despite their very useful benefits, probiotics may not be suitable for everyone. Among other things, it is often not recommended for immunocompromised individuals to take them. Since the strains present in these products do not come from the human body, they could potentially cause health problems for these people. In this case, taking probiotics should therefore be done under medical supervision.
Apart from this important contraindication, few side effects associated with probiotics have been discovered so far. Healthy individuals who have ingested these bacteria sometimes suffer from flatulence or bloating, but these effects are temporary. A gradual increase in dose can usually help reduce them. However, if your digestive problems (e.g., diarrhea) worsen beyond three days, stop taking probiotics immediately and consult a healthcare professional.
A team here for you
Do you have other questions about probiotics? Do not hesitate to make an online appointment for a private consultation with one of our naturopaths who will be able to answer all your questions and concerns. You can also contact us directly at 418 653-5400, 1 800 263-5401, or labo@naterro.com so that we can offer you remote advice. We look forward to meeting you!
Our website can also offer you a ton of information about probiotics and how they work. Check out the following articles to learn more about these helpful products for your health!