Why Probiotics Matter for Your Health

Your digestive tract is home to trillions of bacteria, both good and bad. In fact, bacteria in the body outnumber cells 10 to one, and the majority of these bacteria live in the gut. Probiotics are considered the “good” bacteria needed in the digestive system, and they play an essential role in overall gut health.

These small but mighty gut balancers can be extremely impactful on health. When the right amount of probiotics are consumed, numerous health benefits can occur, from treating and preventing digestive issues to helping clear skin conditions via the gut–skin axis, such as eczema. Weight management, improved immunity, and better digestion are also benefits of having balanced gut bacteria.

Probiotic supplements are made up of live microorganisms intended to maintain the good bacteria in the body. Probiotic supplements also contain prebiotics that act as food for human microflora. Probiotics help to create a healthy environment for the gut to thrive.

Prebiotics are not to be confused with probiotics, as they have very different functions. Probiotics are the healthy bacteria needed by the body, while prebiotics are specific types of fibre that help maintain and feed the good bacteria to keep them happy, alive, and well.

Probiotics can be found in dietary supplements, as well as in a variety of foods, such as yogurt and sauerkraut. Fermented foods are a naturally rich source of probiotics because they go through a process called “lactofermentation.” During this fermentation process, millions of beneficial bacteria are created. Fermented foods that contain probiotics include unpasteurized fermented vegetables, kimchi, kefir, and miso.

TYPES OF PROBIOTICS

The human body relies on normal bacteria to perform several functions, including breaking down foods, helping the body absorb nutrients, and preventing the takeover of bad, or unhealthy, bacteria. There are dozens of different types of probiotic bacteria, each offering an array of health benefits.

The two most common groups of bacteria in probiotics are “Lactobacillus” and “Bifidobacterium.” Each group includes many different species, and each species contains several strains. When both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium exist in the body, they can inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and help maintain a healthy immune system. Many supplements provide both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and they can also be found in several probiotic-rich foods, such as yogurt and fermented foods.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS

The complexity of probiotics is quite astounding, yet these tiny microorganisms maintain and boost gut health in powerful ways. One of the most prominent health benefits probiotics provide is support for optimal gut performance, which can lead to a variety of chain-effect benefits throughout the body.

If the gut microbiome becomes upset or imbalanced, it can negatively affect mood, immune health, mental health, and even brain function. Probiotics in the gut are believed to help create compounds known as neuropeptides¹, which directly influence the brain. This connection between gut health and the brain highlights the significance of probiotics for people of all ages and life stages.

CREATING THE BEST ENVIRONMENT FOR PROBIOTICS

For probiotic nutritional supplements to work effectively in the environment where they live and thrive, the gut must have optimized conditions. The gut environment should be well nourished and supported with real food so that probiotics can perform their role effectively.

Healthy bacteria are nourished through the consumption of healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fibre-rich foods. Choosing real, whole foods over highly processed options helps support the growth of beneficial bacteria.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT PROBIOTIC FOR YOU

Progressive offers seven different probiotic formulas to support gut health for all ages, genders, and individual intestinal needs. Each formula is vegan and gluten-free and contains multiple probiotic strains and prebiotics* to support the entire digestive tract in a non-enteric, delayed vegetable capsule designed to ensure the bacteria arrive alive in the intestinal tract. All formulas are third-party DNA tested to guarantee probiotic strains.

Perfect Probiotic 30 Billion CFU is a one-a-day, shelf-stable formula designed to support daily digestive health with 10 unique strains and prebiotics for a healthy and nourished microbiome.

Perfect Probiotic Women’s 30 Billion CFU is a unique, one-a-day, shelf-stable formula designed specifically for a women’s microbiome. It contains 10 probiotic strains, prebiotics, and cranberry extract to help prevent urinary tract infections.

Perfect Probiotic 60 Billion CFU is a high-potency, extra-strength, daily-use formula that combines seven strains and prebiotics for comprehensive digestive support.

Perfect Probiotic 120 Billion CFU is an ultra-strength, highest-potency formula containing 11 diverse strains and prebiotics to support periods of gut imbalance and advanced daily digestive care.

*Note: Perfect Probiotic 50 Billion CFU formula does not contain prebiotics.

References:
1. Strandwitz, P. (2018). Neurotransmitter modulation by the gut microbiota. Brain Research, 1693(Pt B), 128–133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2018.03.015

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