Northern Sun Family Health Care & Birth Center
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Topsham, ME 04086
More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles
Power of Probiotics
A weak immune system and digestive distress have one thing in common the gastrointestinal tract. Without good bacteria populating our stomach, small intestines, and colon, we cannot keep bad bacteria from harming our immune systems.
Replenishing our body with probiotic supplements and fermented foods that contain healthy bacteria can strengthen the immune system and fortify the digestive tract.
Top 5 Health Benefits Of Probiotics and Fermented Foods
The good bacteria fight off bad bacteria. Probiotics can be depleted with the use of antibiotics. With proper good bacteria we can defend ourselves against diseases, viruses, and yeast caused by the overgrowth of bad bacteria.
Improved digestion and gut health. Incorporating probiotics and good bacteria into our system after the use of antibiotics, whether they were taken years ago or yesterday, can improve overall digestion and gut health.
Reduced risk of allergies and allergic skin disorders. Studies have demonstrated that giving probiotics to pregnant women, and their newborns for the first six months of life halved the child's potential development of allergies and eczema.
Decreased stress and anxiety Stress and your stomach are more related than you think. Serotonin, the “feel good” neurotransmitter, is mainly found in the gastrointestinal tract. Research shows how the bacteria in our body influences our brains, and how probiotics may help with anxiety and depression.
Healthy weight Probiotics may help the assimilation of the foods we eat, and help ensure that the maximum nutrients are being absorbed into our system. Having the proper balance of probiotic to yeast ratio in the body can reduce sugar cravings.
How To Get Probiotics
Into Your Body
These good bacteria can be found in so many forms. It may be yogurt with some granola, in a fermented kefir drink, teaming in a warm cup of miso soup, activating some raw sauerkraut ferments on the kitchen table, or in a capsule taken before bed.
Forms Of Fermentation
and Probiotics
Probiotic capsules Best taken at night before bed on an empty stomach.
Yogurt + Kefir This is a type of fermentation and can be in dairy, coconut/vegan, and beverage form.
Miso Best when organic and added to a warm cup of filtered water with your favorite sea vegetables to accompany. Also try adding it to your favorite salad dressings.
Lacto-fermentation You can stay traditional with cabbage sauerkraut and Kim chi, or brew up your own mix of fermented vegetables.
