We’ve all heard about probiotics. The information about the health benefits of these useful bacteria is also doing rounds these days. Probiotics have been there for quite some time. It’s just that they are getting the attention lately.
Kimberly Snyder says that these bacteria are pretty essential. They help eliminate the harmful organisms and also aids in better digestion of nutrients like fiber. Probiotics help in digestion of vitamins, particularly B vitamins and aid in maintaining gut balance.
A very important benefit of probiotics is that they act as detoxifying agents. Here, Kimberly Snyder discusses in detail how probiotics can help remove toxins from the body and maintain health and wellness
All About Probiotics
Probiotics are important to maintain some key functions in the body. For example, rejuvenating the mood, balancing the immune system, promoting the digestion and boosting the metabolism.
Well, the fact is that we hugely depend on those trillions of bacteria in our gut to maintain our health and wellbeing. When you are on your journey to achieve better health of your gut, you may encounter some hindrances while incorporating these healthy bacteria in your diet. The kind of lifestyle we are leading today can lead to reduction in probiotics, causing your microbiome to go out of balance.
Kimberly says that too much of stress, medicines and the kind of food that we eat like processed foods and sugar, aging and antibacterial cleaners can all deplete the required probiotics from the gut. When you start to replenish these bacteria in the gut, you will notice some changes in the digestive system. But, these changes are only for the good.
Where Are Probiotics Found?
Before being well up on the benefits of probiotics, you must know about the sources and types of probiotics, so that you can extract maximum benefits out of them. Snyder adds that you must always choose soil-based probiotics. These are more effective than the conventional types of probiotics present in supplements and foods like yogurt.
Soil-based organisms (SBOs) have more likelihood of making their way to the lower digestive tract and they also have resistance against digestive acids in the stomach. And, here lies the positive effect of SBOs.
Kimberly emphasizes that SBOs are covered with a shell-like substance that protects spores from damage. Thus, they have greater chances of survival. They travel down to the lower intestine. This is where they thrive.
Soil-based organisms are prepared in a safe environment and have a unique formula, involving probiotic strains like Bacillus subtilis that have a host of health benefits. Fermented vegetables are a good source of probiotics.
Functions of Probiotics
Probiotics have a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract. This is where food gets broken down and nutrients get absorbed. Kimberly Snyder says that if the intestine is not functioning appropriately, it will make the body to suffer. Free radicals can get formed that can damage the organs and can also lead to chronic illnesses like diabetes and cancer. [1] This is the reason why you must include probiotics in your diet.
How Probiotics Clean You Out?
Elimination of Heavy Metals
Heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium and mercury can accumulate in the body with time. Some strains of probiotics attach themselves to these metals and flush them out of your system. [2]
Cleansing of Liver
Probiotics help clean the liver and thus, maintain its health. Liver affects the health of skin and eyes. When your liver is clean, you will have a better complexion. You will even get brighter eyes. So, by detoxifying the liver, probiotics beautifies you!
Excretion of Bisphenol A
Stuffs like canned food liners, plastic bottles of water and dental composites contain a chemical, known as Bisphenol A as well as resins. These chemicals can enter our foods and drinks and cause grave health issues. Probiotics minimize the absorption of these chemicals and help excrete BPA so that it does not accumulate in the body causing harm. [3]
Decomposition of Perchlorate
Perchlorate is a naturally occurring chemical found in food packaging materials. Sometimes, it’s also present in drinking water. It also contaminates organic foods and so, its exposure is difficult to prevent. It can also result in hypothyroidism. A study indicates that certain probiotics can break down perchlorate.
Reduction in the Toxicity of Certain Foods
Wheat contains some proteins that cannot be broken down by the body. When these protein enter the blood stream, they can drastically affect the health. Several studies show that body produces so many strains of bacteria that breaks down the proteins and lowers the toxicity.
Removal of Candida
Candida overgrowth may occur due to stress, allergies and consumption of antibiotics. This causes imbalance in the gut flora and can lead to asthma, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other disorders. Probiotics completely fill your gut with useful and healthy bacteria; thereby, removing Candida as it has less space to grow.
When you incorporate changes in your diet, you will certainly see some effects of the change. Kimberly discusses below some ways to adjust to the new regime:
Some Tips to Beat Bloating and Discomfort
Remain Hydrated
Drink lots of water to get rid of the toxins. When you hydrate your body, you also protect yourself from constipation and diarrhea. Add some lemon to increase the alkalinity. This will help in the cleansing process.
Exercise Regularly
If you lead a sedentary lifestyle, it will definitely take a toll on your health; so, keep moving. That’s how our body is designed. Any type of physical exercise will help in pushing out the toxins and cleanse you.
Kimberly Snyder says that probiotics is one of the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle. Incorporating a plant-based diet, going for seasonal produce, drinking clean green smoothies are equally important. And, so are sleep and exercise. She concludes by following all the above-discussed tips, people can easily keep their gut healthy.
