We all know that bacteria can be found most anywhere - on door handles, sinks, kitchen cutting boards, toilet bowls (gross) etc. However, what some of us are not so aware of is that bacteria is also found in our digestive tract - in the trillions! GOOD bacteria is VERY important to our health, but the sad news is that most of us have an overgrowth of the bad. This is due to a variety of reasons: stress, sugar and processed foods, food additives (colourings & preservatives), chlorinated water, antibiotics, oral contraceptives and environmental toxins which all make it very difficult for good bacteria to thrive.
Research shows that a good balance of friendly bacteria in our bodies helps to reduce disease (even some types of cancer), maintain a healthy digestive tract, build a strong immune system, may even aid in weight loss and of course, kill the bad bacteria like Salmonella and Clostridium. Your gut is a bacteria zoo! Here are some tongue twisters to remember: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Bifidobacterium bifidum and others these are your friendly bacteria! You can find them in a good quality probiotic supplement, yogurt, milk, kefir, sour cream and fermented foods.
If you need more reasons to get your probiotics then read on about the power of probiotics.
IMPROVES NUTRIENT ABSORPTION
Perhaps you eat a quality diet of complex carbs, lean protein and high quality fat (olive oil, avocado) AND take a quality supplement, but yet you still do not feel energized and often get sick. A healthy dose of probiotics produces digestive enzymes that increase the digestion and absorption of protein, fatty acids and vitamins such as B1, B2 and folic acid.
Bowel diseases and issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohns, ulcers, constipation/diarrhea, gas and bloating may be a result of a low level of good bacteria and an overgrowth of bad. Think of the good bacteria as the soldiers in your gut; they kill the bad guys and promote a healthy active digestive tract.
Did you know that 70% of your intestinal bacteria is responsible for your immunity? Did you also know that good bacteria helps to manufacture macrophages and lymphcytes (your immune system cells). Awesome! Good bacteria slows down and prevents the bad guys from crossing the barrier (your intestinal lining) and being absorbed into our blood stream, making us sick.
Simply put, bladder, kidney, ear and yeast infections are often the result of a low level of good bacteria, so the bad bacteria and yeast can take over and can lead to a variety of problems.
As well as dietary and lifestyle factors, high cholesterol can be the result of poor gut health. Having a healthy gut helps prevent the re-absorption of cholesterol back into the bloodstream by helping to break down cholesterol and eliminate it.
For all these reasons, it is very important to make sure you get your daily dose of good bacteria to keep your gut flora healthy and thriving!
be well!
Joyous
feed the good, starve the bad! hard to imagine, but bacteria in the human body actually out-numbers our own cells... ( : another great post J : )
Replythanks mister a!
Great post Joy! Ever since I started taking those probiotics I have definitely noticed a huge difference, Thanks!
Replywelcome em! glad to have helped!
Thanks J! You saved me with suggesting probiotics a few months ago... the change is amazing! :)
Replywelcome lovey xo
[...] 2. Supplement with powerful Probiotics. Studies prove this boosts your immune system and this is only one benefit of many!! My 2 fave brands are Seroyal (aka. Genestra) and UDO’s. Both of which you can find at your friendly local health food store. The more expensive, the better because you will get a larger dosage of bacteria - look for Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidobacterim lactis/bifidum. In short, good bacteria in your belly, manufacture some very important immune system cells like macrophages and lymphocytes (these are your soldiers that take down those invaders). See my previous post for more benefits of probiotics. [...]
Reply[...] There are many scientific studies published that prove the power of probiotics in boosting immunity. In fact, 60% of your immune system is in your digestive tract! Give your kids active culture yogurt and kefir to prevent stomach aches, diarrhea, constipation, food allergies, eczema and respiratory problems. Great brands are Organic Meadow and Liberty. Kefir is fermented yogurt that is bursting with beneficial bacteria like lactobacillus acidophilus and your kids will love it because it’s tastes sweet and delicious. You can even give probiotic supplements safely to babies. One of my first blogs I ever wrote was on the benefits of probiotics – check it out here. [...]
Reply[...] written a whole blog about the POWER OF PROBIOTICS (the good bacteria in kefir). This article has a much more detailed description for all you [...]
Reply[...] Eat probiotic-rich foods or better yet, take a probiotic supplement. No, this doesn’t mean eating your daily prune-flavoured Activia (sorry Activia [...]
Reply[...] Eat probiotic-rich foods or better yet, take a probiotic supplement. No, this doesn’t mean eating your daily prune-flavoured Activia (sorry Activia [...]
ReplyHi Joy, I enjoy your advices and try to follow them as much as i can. I would like to start taking a probiotic supplement,but I don't know which one to buy. I am 67 years old and I have been suffering from digestive problems for many years. I feel bloated most of the time and I'm medicated for irritable colon and stomach acid reflux. Thank you! Pauline
ReplyI like HMF Forte by Genestra as a good starting point. Best thing to do is ask your certified healthcare practitioner or talk to the expert at the health food store for their recommendations.
Hi, I'm lactose intolerant- any recommendation on pill that can replace the good probiotics i need? thx
ReplyThere are so many great probiotic supplements. I suggest you talk to a healthcare practictioner to find out which one best suits your unique needs :)
Hi Joy, Can you recommend a probiotic supplement? Sue
ReplyHi Sue, Joy's a fan of Genestra and Progressive probiotics. Kate - Joyous Health Team
Hi Joy, So I was at Sobeys today looking for Arrowroot Powder to make Natural Baby Power, all they had was Arrowroot starch/flour, is that the same thing? Also, have you heard of the brand Aromaforce for essential oil (that was also at Sobeys) I want to make your toothpaste and wondering what brand to use that's ok to consume, is there some essential oils I can consume and others I can't? Thanks Joy! Love your Live Facebook feeds too.
ReplyHey Kristne! Yes, arrowroot powder/flour/starch are the same :) As for essential oils, you might want to read up on this article on the blog about selecting safe essential oils, as like you said, there are some that are safer than others. You can find that article here: https://www.joyoushealth.com/21072-blog-four-questions-to-ask-before-buying-essential-oils. Joy typically purchases her essential oils from a local herbal dispensary on Roncesvalles in Toronto. Hope that helps :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Hi Joy, Yesterday I purchased Genuine Health Advanced Gut Health Probiotic 15 billion CFU 30 Capsules. I was excited to begin taking them but now have concerns, because I mentioned my plan to take them to a colleague and she said her close friend had a terrible experience with a probiotic supplement-- her body apparently went haywire and it took her over a year to fully recover. Doing some research this morning, I found this article: https://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/articles/2017-02-22/you-probably-shouldnt-be-taking-that-probiotic-this-digestive-expert-says Do you have any articles that are counter to this you could share? I am a bit afraid to take these now. Any suggestions on dosing when starting out? Thank you, Amanda
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