2. Probiotics:
• Probiotics are made of good live bacteria and/or
yeasts that naturally live in our body. We constantly
have both good and bad bacteria in our body.
When we get an infection, there’s more bad
bacteria, knocking our system out of balance. Good
bacteria helps eliminate extra bad bacteria,
returning the balance. Probiotic-supplements are a
way to add good bacteria to our body.
3. • Probiotics are a combination of live beneficial
bacteria and/or yeasts that naturally live in our
body. Bacteria is usually viewed in a negative light
as something that makes us sick.
• However, we have two kinds of bacteria constantly
in and on our body — good bacteria and bad
bacteria.
• Probiotics are made up of good bacteria that helps
keep our body healthy and working well. This good
bacteria helps us in many ways, including fighting
off bad bacteria when we have too much of it,
helping to feel better.
4. • We have trillions of microbes on and in our body.
These microbes are a combination of:
• Bacteria.
• Fungi (including yeasts).
• Viruses.
• Protozoa
• Everyone’s microbiome is unique. No two people
have the same microbial cells — even twins are
different.
5. Characteristics Of Probiotics:
• For a microbe to be called a probiotic, it must have
several characteristics. These include being able to;
• Survive in our intestine after ingestion (being
eaten).
• Have a proven benefit to our health.
• Be safely consumed.
• Helps in digestion and absorption of nutrients.
• Also improve the immune health.
6. Beneficial Probiotics (Microbes) In
The Body:
• Though the most common place linked to beneficial
microbes is our gut (mostly large intestines), we have
several locations in and on our body that host good
microbes. These locations are in contact with the
“outside world" and include our:
• Gut__inhibit the colonization of pathogenic bacteria in
the intestine, enhance the host immune system.
• Mouth__decrease the pH of the oral cavity, so the
plaque bacteria can't form dental plaque.
• Vagina__acidify the vaginal environment
• Urinary tract__lactobacilli helps UTI prevention
• Skin__improving skin natural defense barrier
• Lungs__probiotics protect against respiratory infection
7. How to Probiotics work:
• The main job of probiotics, or good bacteria, is to
maintain a healthy balance in our body. Think of it
as keeping our body in neutral. When we are sick,
bad bacteria enters our body and increases in
number. This knocks our body out of balance. Good
bacteria works to fight off the bad bacteria and
restore the balance within our body, making us feel
better.
8. • Good bacteria keeps us healthy by supporting our
immune function and controlling inflammation.
Certain types of good bacteria can also:
• Help our body digest food
• Keep bad bacteria from getting out of control and
making us sick
• Create vitamins
• Help support the cells that line our gut to prevent
bad bacteria that we may have consumed (through
food or drinks) from entering our blood.
• Breakdown and absorb medications.
9. What are the most common types
of probiotic bacteria?
• Though there are many types of bacteria that can
be considered probiotics, there are two specific
types of bacteria that are common probiotics found
in stores. These include:
• Lactobacillus.
• Bifidobacterium.
• Probiotics are also made up of good yeast. The
most common type of yeast found in probiotics is:
• Saccharomyces boulardii.
10.
11. Role of probiotics In Medical
condition:
• However, there are some medical conditions
where probiotics may help. This can vary between
people meaning that what works for one person
may not work for another. These can also vary
based on the certain probiotic that is taken.
• Some of the conditions that might be helped by
increasing the amount of probiotics in our body
(through food or supplements) include:
13. • Upper respiratory infections (ear infections,
common cold, sinusitis).
• Sepsis (specifically in infants).
14. Which Food Increase Good
Probiotics In The Body:
• We can increase the amount of good microbes in
our body through foods, drinks and supplements.
We may already have certain foods in our daily diet
that contain probiotics. Fermented foods in
particular (yogurt and pickles, for example) are
home to a host of good bacteria that benefit our
body.
• There are also fermented drinks like kombucha
(fermented tea) or kefir (fermented dairy drink)
that introduce extra probiotics into our diet.
15. Probiotics In Food:
• We can absolutely increase beneficial microbes in
our body from the foods we eat. Certain foods have
probiotics (good bacteria) in them and can benefit
the health of our microbiome.
• A few suggestions for just some of the probiotic-
rich foods we can add to our diet and some times
to try them include:
• For breakfast, try:
• Yogurt.
• Buttermilk.
• Sourdough bread.
16. • For lunch, try:
• Cottage cheese.
• Kombucha.
• Tempeh.
• For a snack, try:
• Fermented pickles.
• For dinner, try:
• Fermented sauerkraut.
• Kimchi.
• Miso soup.
17.
18. How do to take a probiotic
supplements?
• There are several ways you can take a probiotic
supplement. They come in a variety of forms,
including in:
• Foods.
• Drinks.
• Capsules or pills.
• Powders.
• Liquids.
19. • Probiotic supplements may be combined with a
prebiotic. Prebiotics are complex carbohydrates
that feed the microorganisms in your gut. Basically,
prebiotics are the “food source” for the good
bacteria. They help feed the good bacteria and
keep it healthy. Prebiotics include inulin, pectin and
resistant starches.
• When you have a supplement that combines a
probiotic and prebiotic, it’s called a synbiotic.
20. Are there any risks related to
Probiotics:
• Probiotics are generally considered safe. However,
there are some risks linked to the supplements.
These risks are increased if you have a medical
condition that weakens your immune system, have
recently had surgery or have other serious medical
conditions.
• Unlikely, but possible, risks can include:
• Developing an infection.
• Developing a resistance to antibiotics.
