Did you know your body contains ten times more bacteria than it does human cells? That might sound alarming, but it’s actually completely normal and healthy—if the bacteria balance is right.

The key is probiotics, tiny beings that invisible to the eye but greatly important for health.

What are Probiotics and How Do Probiotics Work?

Probiotics are living microorganisms that reside in us and all around us, especially in our guts a.k.a digestive tracts.

Your gut contains both good and bad bacteria. Probiotics are the good bacteria that—when present in the right amounts—provide a lot of benefit. They help digest substances your body can’t normally break down, such as short chain fatty acids and carbohydrates.

The collective of bacteria in your body is called the microbiome, and keeping your microbiome safe and balanced is crucial for good health. That’s why we must be mindful of avoiding too many things that harm our microbiome and get enough of the things that nurture it.

Probiotics, the good guys, are a part of that puzzle.

What Kills Good Gut Bacteria?

Ideally, we’d all have the right amount of probiotics in our bodies and guts. But certain factors can deplete healthy bacteria, leading to a host of problems. Those include:

Taking Antibiotics

Antibiotics are medications meant to help stop infections by killing bacteria. Unfortunately, they often kill off good bacteria in the process.

Taking unnecessary antibiotics can hurt the probiotic community in your body, which is largely in the gut. That’s why symptoms of taking antibiotics often include stomach pain or diarrhea.

To put it more simply, probiotic means “for life,” while antibioticmeans “against life.”

Taking Over-the-Counter Medications

Some painkillers and other over-the-counter medications may have weak antibiotic activity [1]. They may also promote gut permeability, which can put extra stress on the immune system and mess with the homeostasis of the microbiome.

Sterilized and Processed Foods

In our modern world, many foods, like dairy products, go through the process of pasteurization to kill bacteria and extend shelf life.

But there’s a downside: it destroys natural proteins, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria that we’d otherwise get from certain foods, like raw milk.

In addition, modern processed foods are devoid of nutrition and fiber that your body needs for good gut health. Eating too many of these foods can wreak havoc on your healthy bacteria.

Stress

Research published by Elsevier in 2011 showed stress can change the diversity, composition, and amount of good bacteria living in the gut [2].

This might explain why it’s common to have digestive issues or that “butterflies in the stomach” feeling when stress or anxiety is high. It may also explain why certain gut-related concerns—like inflammatory bowel disease—tend to get worse during times of stress.

Antibacterial Soaps and Cleaners

The modern world is often overly sanitized. Using soaps, shampoos, hand sanitizers, and other products that kill bacteria can kill off good bacteria along with the bad.

5 Benefits of Taking Probiotics Daily

So basically, how do probiotics work? The answer: they help replenish good gut bacteria, rebalancing the microbiome, and promoting better health all around.

Here are some specific ways they work to promote better health.

1. Maintaining a healthy gut and digestion: Probiotics help increase your body’s healthy bacteria levels, encouraging optimal health and fighting back against any damaging factors.

2. Boosting your immune system: Did you know a huge amount of your immune system is actually in your gut? Beneficial bacteria have a strong impact on your immune response and how it directly relates to your gut health.

3. Balance your mood: Good gut bacteria also make hundreds of neurochemicals that affect mood regulation along with memory and learning. In fact, these bacteria make about 95% of your serotonin, the “feel good” chemical in the brain.

4. Keep out pathogens: There is some research showing probiotics may be helpful in fighting or possibly even inactivating harmful gastrointestinal infections and pathogens [3,4].

5. Improve nutrient absorption: Besides improving digestion, probiotics can also help with better absorption of food and important nutrients.

Can You Get Probiotics from Fermented Foods?

The short answer: yes, you can! Some fermented foods do contain probiotics. The bacteria either occur naturally or are added during their preparation.

Good probiotic foods include:

• Kombucha
• Apple cider vinegar
• Sauerkraut
• Tempeh
• Miso
• Buttermilk
• Fermented milk

Both supplements and these foods can be good, regular sources of healthy bacteria for your gut. Ready to nourish your body with more of these amazing microorganisms? Shop our Probiotics section today!

Disclaimer: Statements made have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.