Should you rely on probiotics for good gut health? Probiotics are live bacteria that keep your gut healthy and offer numerous other health benefits. But is this true? Do you need probiotics to keep your gut healthy? Do they have any side effects? What do they do? Learn all about Probiotics’ role in gut health with the help of these FAQs (frequently asked questions). You can contact us by visiting our clinic or visiting our website at https://doralhw.org/ to know more about gut health.
FAQs on Probiotics and their role in gut health
These FAQs will help you understand probiotics and their role in gut health.
- What are probiotics and what do they do?
Ans. Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial for your gut when ingested. Our bodies are full of bacteria both good and bad. The gut contains most of the bacteria in the body. These bacteria in the gut form the ‘gut microbiome.’ Probiotics are generally believed to be good bacteria that keep your gut microbiome and gut lining healthy.
A healthy gut microbiome helps with digestion and absorption of food and nutrients, boosts the immune system, protects against hostile bacteria to prevent infection, helps in managing blood sugar levels, and may even impact mood and mental health.
Probiotics also help to restore bacterial imbalance caused by taking antibiotics. Antibiotics can kill good bacteria along with harmful ones, which lead to gas, cramping, or diarrhea. Besides that, probiotics are believed to help in the treatment or prevention of many conditions like – irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infectious diarrhea (caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease. Research reveals that probiotics are also useful for other problems of the body like skin conditions such as eczema, urinary and vaginal health, preventing allergies and colds, and oral health. It also helps in the breakdown of protein and fat in the digestive tract, which is crucial for infants, toddlers, or patients who need to build strength throughout and after an illness.
- What are the types of probiotics?
Ans. Many types of bacteria are considered probiotics and offer different benefits, but the most common are from two groups. You can consult your doctor to know which one is good for you.
- Lactobacillus: This is the most common probiotic found in yogurt and other fermented foods. Its strains can help with diarrhea and may help people who can’t digest lactose, and sugar in milk.
- Bifidobacterium: This probiotic is found in some dairy products, which helps ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and some other conditions.
Other common kinds are – Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, and Bacillus. Each of these different species has many strains. Different strains can address different health conditions. So, choosing the right type of probiotics is essential. Some supplements combine different species in the same product, which are called broad-spectrum probiotics or multi-probiotics. However, due to a lack of evidence, more research is needed on the health benefits of probiotics. Some researchers also warn about the negative effects of probiotics and the need to be cautious or use strict regulations.
- How do probiotics impact weight loss?
Ans. Studies reveal that obese people have different gut bacteria than lean people. They found a connection between gut microbes and obesity in both infants and adults, which shows that microbial changes in the gut may impact the development of obesity as an adult. Therefore, scientists believe that gut bacteria are essential in determining body weight. While more research is needed, some probiotic strains may aid weight loss.
In one study, people with central obesity (which means having excess belly fat), took the probiotic lactobacillus gasseri daily. Over 12 weeks (about 3 months), participants lost an average of 8.5% of their belly fat. When participants stopped taking the probiotic, they gained the lost fat back within 4 weeks. Evidence suggests that lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis can aid weight loss and prevent obesity, however, more research is needed.
Some researchers also advise caution against using probiotics because of the lack of evidence to know which specific strains of probiotics are needed, how much and how long should be the dosage, its long-term effects, and its interaction with age, gender, health conditions, and lifestyle. So, only use probiotics as a treatment when prescribed by the doctor.
- What are the health benefits of probiotics?
Ans. Besides the above-mentioned health benefits, there are some other health benefits of probiotics, including:
- Inflammation control: Probiotics can reduce systemic inflammation that is caused by many diseases.
- Depression and anxiety relief: The probiotic strains Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum have shown positive results in lowering symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with clinical depression.
- Blood cholesterol reduction: Several probiotics have shown results in lowering total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels, although research remains controversial.
- Immune function improvement: Several probiotic strains may boost immune function, which helps in decreasing the risk of infections including the cause of the common cold.
- Skin health benefits: Some evidence shows that probiotics are beneficial for acne, rosacea, and eczema, as well as other skin disorders.
- Anti-aging effects: While research is very limited, some evidence found that probiotics can extend lifespan by increasing the ability of cells to replicate themselves.
These are a small number of probiotics benefits, and ongoing studies are still looking for other potential health effects.
- What are the most common strains of probiotics you can consume and where to find them?
Ans. Here are the most common strains of probiotics you can consume:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus gasseri
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Enterococcus faecium
- Saccharomyces boulardii
These probiotic strains are commonly found in fermented or cultured dairy products like miso, tempeh, soy beverages, buttermilk, fermented milk, active-culture yogurts, cheese, kefir, kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut, etc. You can also get probiotics as a dietary supplement in the form of a capsule, tablet, or powder form.
- When should you consider taking probiotics?
Ans. According to the American Gastroenterological Association recommendation, you should use probiotics only in the following situations:
- To prevent gut infections while taking antibiotics.
- For preterm infants.
- People with inflammatory bowel disease who have a condition called pouchitis.
Besides these situations, you should consult with your doctor about whether probiotics are good for you or not. People with very weak immune systems or other serious health conditions should avoid taking them.
- Do probiotics cause any side effects?
Ans. Usually, when you start taking probiotic supplements, you may experience side effects like upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, bloating, and mild abdominal discomfort for the first few days. However, it gets better when your digestive system changes and adapts. However, sometimes it may trigger allergic reactions or can lead to dangerous infections in some people who have compromised immune systems. So, you should stop taking the supplement and talk to the doctor if you have issues.
Probiotics can play a crucial role in improving gut health along with other health benefits. However, it is important to determine what probiotic bacteria strain will be beneficial for you depending on your health condition. Consult with the healthcare provider before taking any probiotic supplement to prevent side effects and get health benefits.
If you need help choosing the right probiotic for you, talk to our gastroenterologist from Brooklyn Clinic to get proper information. Call us for a free consultation or appointment!!!! You can schedule an appointment with Doral Health and Wellness Gastroenterology Center’s best gastroenterologist doctors in Brooklyn. If you are looking for treatments, you can also talk to our specialists and inquire with them. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call +1-347-384-5690.
