What Are Probiotics?

Think of probiotics like the good guys for our digestive system. These microorganisms  live in our gut and they have many health benefits!

Probiotics:

• Help to maintain balance with the natural-occurring bacteria and yeast in our digestive tract
• Build and strengthen the immune system
• Bolster the health of our cells by increasing our defenses against other harmful bacteria

Who Can Benefit from Probiotics

Those suffering from: 

• Digestive Issues
• Allergies, 
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 
• Cholesterol, 
• Blood pressure, 
• Lactose intolerance, 
• Chronic gut inflammation, 
• Bacterial overgrowths, 
• H. pylori infections, 
• Diarrhea, 
• Constipation, 
• Eczema, and more.

Different bacterial strains have been studied in relation to helping ease or improve a certain disease/symptom. 

There are:

• Lactobacillus Strains
• Bifidobacterium Strains
• Yeast Based Strains
• Soil Based Strains SBO

Soil Based strains can be some of the most beneficial strains out there because of their resilience and their ability to colonize healthy good bacteria and “kick to the curb” the bad guys faster than other strains.

Look for:

• Bacillus Coagulans
• Bacillus Subtilis
• Bacillus Clausii
• Bacillus Licheniformis

Probiotic-Rich Foods

• Fermented sauerkraut 
• fermented pickles:
• Kimchi,
• Yogurt,
• Fermented veggies such as carrots, shredded beets, etc.
• Kefir, organic dairy kefir or coconut water kefir (my favorite)
• Kombucha (aka fermented black tea)
• Fermented organic dairy or non-dairy alternatives:FYI  Most yogurts don’t contain substantial amounts, let alone reach a billion CFU’s so these are not the best option

A key to keeping the GOOD GUYS HAPPY is eating a diet rich in prebiotic foods.  These are the foods that probiotics need to thrive!

• Apple 
• Garlic
• Onions
• Asparagus
• Leeks
• Jerusalem Artichokes
• Chicory 
• Jicama
• Dandelion Greens
• Bananas