Probiotics and Its Role in Improving Digestive Functions and Overall Wellness

Imagine this: It’s Monday morning, you’re getting ready for work, and you get aboard a bus heading to the office. After 10 relaxing minutes of posting pictures and updating Facebook status, your stomach starts to churn and you suddenly feel you’re in dire need of a toilet. And the worst part is you’re still 20 minutes away from the office. Of course, the immediate solution would be to take antimotility meds. Sounds easy, right?  Taking meds are also the fastest solution for those who are experiencing constipation and peptic ulcers. But if you like to get down to the core of this problem, it’s important to understand how your tummy works and how probiotics influence much of its processes.

What exactly is the role of probiotics in the body?

Although digestive problems aren’t as threatening as those serious types like cancer and lung illnesses, these can certainly cause a lot of trouble in our daily life. Constipation, loose bowel movement (LBM), peptic ulcers and heartburn are four of the common gastrointestinal problems  many of us encounter.

The great news is there are now several treatments for these problems. Apart from meds, physicians highlight the role of probiotics in influencing digestive performance. In fact, a research has suggested that the while the presence of good gut bacteria in the body helps promote better health, there are also other bacteria that can increase the risk of obesity. In terms of its curative properties, an expert’s advice is needed to choose the right type of gut bacteria to remedy different illnesses such as upset stomach and constipation.

In its simplest function, probiotics serve as the catalyst for digesting foods. It also affects eating habits, especially cravings and food preferences. Yes, you’ve heard it right; each type of bacteria demands and breeds on different foods. This may help explain why some people crave more sweets, fats or high-protein dishes in their meals – albeit inconclusively.

How can probiotics help achieve overall wellness?

So why should you bother nurturing more good bacteria in your tummy? Simple. It’s a practical decision if you like to become healthier. Several studies agree on the following as the top rewards of having more probiotics in the body:

1. Strong immune system. The presence of good bacteria in the body promotes better absorption of vitamins and minerals (especially vitamin C), which greatly helps get rid of disease-causing toxins. In turn, this makes you more resistant to infections and seasonal illnesses such as fever and cough.
   
   
2. Low risk to obesity. According to the World Health Organization’s latest record, the number of obese people today has almost doubled since 1980, despite of the fact that this can be prevented. By taking in foods rich in probiotics, obesity can greatly be reduced, knowing this promotes proper digestion.
   
   
3. Improved mood. A study has also discovered that people with proper digestion tend to have good decision-making skills and a positive mood, too. That’s because gut bacteria helps induce better production of serotonin, endorphins, dopamine and oxytocin, the natural body chemicals that affect our levels of happiness.
   
   
4. Less prone to health problems. With a healthier body, you can certainly steer clear from health conditions. A research done by scientists at the University of Chicago points out the role of certain species of Clostridia, in the gut, in improving the immune responses of mice against allergens, especially from food. Apart from this, many studies highlight the positive effects of probiotics in preventing certain conditions, even those serious types like inflammatory bone illness, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, autism and diabetes.

What to do to increase the population of good bacteria in your tummy?

The great news is there are actually different ways to have more good gut bacteria without spending too much. All you need to do is pick up the following lifestyle changes:

1. Eat more anti-oxidant and probiotics-rich foods. Choose what you eat wisely. Make sure to opt for foods rich in probiotics and prebiotics food ingredients that aid the growth of more good bacteria). Specifically, these include yoghurt, sauerkraut, sour pickles and tempeh; these can get your stomach going, especially when eaten for breakfast. Quick tip: Make it a habit to eat one of these foods each meal to ensure you’ll get the right dose of probiotics every day.
   
   
2. Take in dietary supplements. Vitamins and probiotic supplements can also aid the growth of gut bacteria. And you won’t have to search far and wide for these. You can find a selection of probiotics in this site, place your orders online, and have these delivered to your doorstep.
   
   
3. Develop an active lifestyle. Regular physical activity can also help boost your body’s functions, especially in promoting nutrient absorption. Now if you’ve gotten used to a sedentary lifestyle, you can take simple steps toward becoming more physically active. Going for a 20-minute jog in the neighborhood over the weekends may be a great start. Speed climbing the stairs is another awesome move.

Bacteria aren’t really created equal as there are those bad species that cause diseases and those good types – like probiotics – that promote good health. So if you like to grow more of the latter type in your tummy, it might be practical to do some lifestyle changes, especially in how and what you eat.

Overall, it pays to heed these tips on probiotics, knowing the physical and emotional perks you’ll get by having more of them in your body.