How do you know if you need a probiotic?

What is a probiotic? Probiotics are microorganisms that when ingested can help promote numerous benefits. Probiotics are actually a type of bacteria. When people think of bacteria, they think of something bad. However, your body needs certain types of good bacteria to keep your gut running smoothly. 

There have been countless studies done on the beneficial effects of probiotics on the body and these include :

• Improved digestion
• Weight management
• Increased energy
• Mental clarity
• Healthier skin
• Stronger immunity 

if you are someone who struggles with indigestion (bloating, gas, acid reflux), probiotics can be a major game changer for you. When you are dealing with constant gastrointestinal issues like this, that can mean that the bacteria in the gut is out of whack! And sometimes you need to add in a little of this healthy bacteria to restore your gut back to its balanced state. It also can help with around the clock regularity, for constipation or diahrea. 

There are numerous factors to the reasons why your gut bacteria can become inbalanced.  

1. Antibiotics  

Antibiotics are one of the leading causes for gastrointestinal stress, yeast infections in women and blemished skin. Antibiotics are meant to kill all the bacteria in your gut. And that includes the healthy bacteria as well. The antibiotics can’t tell the difference between good and bad bacteria, so they kill it all. So if you are starting a round of antibiotics, it is crucial to get on a probiotic once completing the medication so your body can replenish itself of that good bacteria you need. Thus leading to less health issues after the fact. 

2. Anxiety and depression 

Anxiety and depression play a major role in your gut health. That’s why people who are under major stress, have a vast amount of health issues and gastrointestinal issues, i.e not being able to lose weight, having stomach pain, acne, and the list goes on and on. Mental health is directly linked to the gut, so a happy gut is a happy mind :) Getting on a probiotic will help with mental clarity, improving your mood and overall health. Probiotics will also help with your focus and attention. 

3. Energy levels 

Believe it or not, the digestive system is one of the bodies most energy consuming processes. Starting from your saliva, to your esophagus, to the stomach, intestines, etc. It requires major work and when your digestive system needs to go under a higher demand to digest food, your body’s energy levels take a big hit. For example, I’m sure we all know the infamous “food coma.” When you consume more food than your body can digest, you feel exhausted because your body is working in overdrive to digest that food. And this goes for bloating, acid reflux, and indigestion. Any type of gastrointestinal stress will make the body work extra hard to digest food. So getting on a probiotic will help your digestive system, which in turn will provide a positive impact on your total energy levels. 

4. Immune system 

This factor that I am relaying to you from my own personal experience is extremely important. When I was younger I got diagnosed with IGA deficiency. Which is an immune deficiency disorder, making it harder for my body to fight off common illnesses like colds, and stomach viruses. This was directly linked to my poor eating habits and stomach issues. Fortunately, there are ways to fight this problem. 70-80% of your bodies immune system is located in your gut lining. So if you are someone who is constantly sick and you feel like you can’t catch a break, a probiotic can really help you. When your gut bacteria is inbalanced, your immune system will suffer. 

There are many, many probiotics out there. The best way to find the right one for you is to contact your health care provider for a recommendation.