7 Commonly Asked Questions About Probiotics

Probiotics are those friendly bacteria that help with digestion and immune function. They can be found in yogurt, certain yogurts, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso soup, kombucha tea, etc. More so than pharmaceuticals or other supplements, these "good" bacteria have been proven to affect the body positively. Here are the seven common questions about probiotics you ask.

Do You Need To Eat Yogurt With Live Active Cultures?

You may be one of the many people that think that eating yogurt is one of those things that is "heard" but doesn't do anything. Or you think that it's just another marketing scheme used by yogurt companies to convince you to buy their products. The reason some people think this way is because they don't understand how these live cultures work, or they lack the knowledge on what these "good" bacteria can do for your body.

Is There a Difference In Yogurt That Has Live Active Cultures And Store Bought Yogurt?

When you eat yogurt, you want the best quality possible. If you are using store-bought containers, many of them do not have live active cultures in them. Some brands of store-bought yogurt can be harmful to your body by introducing other bacteria that may cause illness. Yogurt should never be pasteurized for this reason.

Are All Probiotics The Same?

Since there are many different types of good bacteria, it is possible to have one type of strain that is not effective or even harmful to your body. It would help if you went with a product with several strains in it, so you are getting the whole health benefits package.

How Long Should You Take Probiotics?

You can start seeing results after taking them for a few days, but it is suggested that you take them daily to keep your body healthy. You don't want to stop taking them after a few weeks and notice that your body is not as healthy as before you started. Some probiotics do not need to be taken every day because they colonize the digestive tract.  

Are Probiotics Better Than Pharmaceuticals?

  While there are differences between the products, they provide similar benefits and health benefits. You don't want to use one and not the other, or you might find yourself with a less effective product because it is not as potent as the other. Some of the main benefits of using these are helping with digestion, helping to prevent constipation, reducing inflammation in the body, assisting with weight loss, and maintaining good gut health.  

Are Probiotics Safe?

  Probiotics are very considered to be safe. There have been many different studies done on them, for example, for individuals with compromised immune systems, nasal problems, sinus problems, allergies, and autoimmune conditions.  

Can You Get Probiotics From Foods?

  The best probiotics come from foods. You can't get the full benefits from probiotic capsules you take every day as you would from a food source. Even if you don't enjoy eating yogurt, it is always better to know that your body is getting the benefits that it needs. When you eat yogurt or any other food with these friendly bacteria, it ensures that your body is getting healthy daily.     When you read through these commonly asked questions about probiotics, you will learn that there is much more knowledge out there than you thought. It may change the way you look at probiotic products and how to use them.   The best thing to do is start reading, learning, and maybe try it yourself. You never know what will happen if you don't try it out.