Discover how probiotics help improve your gut microbiome
National Nutrition Week is celebrated every year from 1st to 7th September to highlight the importance of nutrition. The week aims to educate people about the benefits of a balanced diet, prevention of malnutrition and the importance of making informed food choices that can help maintain overall health and prevent lifestyle-related diseases.
There are certain nutrients that should be part of your daily diet, as they help the body function at its optimal level. One of them is probioticsBut what are probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that typically contain beneficial bacteria and yeasts that provide a variety of health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. Probiotics, also known as “good” or “friendly” bacteria, help support digestion, boost immune function, and protect against harmful bacteria. They are commonly found in fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, and more. You can also take probiotic supplements.
Probiotics play an important role in your intestinal healthSpeaking to Times Now, Shimpli Patil, Senior Nutritionist and Lifestyle Expert at Luke Coutinho Holistic Healing Systems, explains how probiotics help improve the health of the gut microbiome.
The gut is a critical foundation for overall health, acting as the body’s command center to regulate everything from immunity, hormones, neurotransmitters, and emotional well-being, thanks to the intricate connection between the gut and the mind. Beyond its primary function of digesting and absorbing food, the gut is responsible for regulating nearly 70-80 percent of the body’s immune function, making it a key player in preventing and curing disease and managing lifestyle-related illnesses. Therefore, the first step to building a strong immune system begins with taking care of your gut health.
Patil says a healthy gut microbiome comprises a balance of good and bad bacteria, and to achieve this, it is important to include a variety of probiotics and prebiotics in the diet.
Probiotics are found in fermented foods and prebiotics are found in apples, onions, garlic and bananas. These act as fuel for these beneficial bacteria and help them thrive in the gut.
“By incorporating them into your diet plan, you can create an optimal environment for your gut microbiome to flourish. This, in turn, will boost your immune system, improve digestion and increase your overall well-being,” says Patil.
Benefits of probiotics
Prebiotics help balance the gut microbiota by competing with harmful bacteria, thereby reducing the risk of dysbiosis. Secondly, they help the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that create a favorable environment for beneficial bacteria to thrive.
In addition, probiotics help improve intestinal barrier function by strengthening the intestinal lining and producing antimicrobial substances that inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics also help boost immune function by stimulating antibody production and enhancing the activity of immune cells, such as macrophages.
Lastly, probiotics improve digestion by alleviating the symptoms of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhea, and constipation. Therefore, people suffering from these conditions are advised to incorporate healthy probiotic supplements or natural probiotic sources into their diet.
Patil says, “While probiotics play a vital role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, what is critical is creating the right synergy between probiotics and prebiotics for overall health.”
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