ESSENTIAL SUPPLEMENT OF THE MONTH
PROBIOTICS
- WHAT ARE THEY?
- The beneficial or “good” bacteria that reside in your digestive tract.
- 80% of your IMMUNE SYSTEM lives in your gut, and a large portion of this is due to the presence of this bacteria.
- WHY?
- They aid in digesting food, particularly hard-to-digest foods and foods to which some individuals are more sensitive.
- Without proper digestion we are not receiving the nutrients and fuel that we are consuming the food for. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies lead to systemic repercussions.
- Support your immune system
- The “gut” is one of the four main barrier systems in your body to protect you from outside invaders whose presence can lead to things conditions like AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES.
- Mounting research pointing towards a strong relationship between your gut health and brain health. Inflammation or permeability (aka “leaky gut”) in the gut has been shown to lead to the same in the brain.
- This is why there is a growing correlation between gut health and conditions like DEPRESSION and ALZHEIMER’s
- Promotes vaginal health in women
- (the same “good” bacteria that populate the gut also populate the vaginal region)
- Antibiotics, drinking or swimming in chlorinated water, chronic blood sugar spikes, consuming inorganic, GMO and processed foods all wage a war in your healthy gut flora (aka probiotics)
- FOOD SOURCES:
- Fermented (UNPASTURIZED FOODS: sauerkraut, kimchi, various UNPASTURIZED dairy)
As we’ve stated in the past, it would be ideal to keep the number of supplements to a minimum while obtaining all the externally derived nutritional support from our diet. However, due to poor quality of our food source as well as the hazards we are exposed to, certain supplements would be advantageous to our wellbeing. A couple of months ago we started this list with a daily dose of high quality Omega 3 fatty acids. (https://clarkechiropracticwellness.com/2014/03/12/supplement-series-the-good-fats/)
The second supplement that virtually everyone can benefit from is a high quality probiotic. This term has become somewhat of a buzz word in the mainstream as more and more research emerges backing the benefits behind making sure your “good” bacteria is at a premium.
As with all supplements, you want to make sure you’re spending your money and efforts on a quality product. Certain strains of bacteria are more likely to survive the stomach acid bath en route to your intestines, so you want to make sure those are included on the label.
You also want to be wary of certain foods (yogurts are notorious for this) that falsely tout the added benefit of various live cultures or strains of bacteria. If a product is pasteurized, which most dairy is, the beneficial bacteria which they use as a selling point have most likely been destroyed by the heating process. Unpasteurized is becoming a selling point like organic or gluten free so if it doesn’t make mention of it, assume it’s pasteurized.
In addition to the immune and digestive benefits (which should not be understated) the gut – brain connection is a major reason why a good probiotic makes my list of essentials. We carry and take the brand pictured at Clarke Chiropractic and Wellness. However, if you have questions about another brand or supplement, your inquiries are always welcome.
Clarke Chiropractic and Wellness 