8 Signs Your Probiotics Are Working

There is a reason why the sayings “gut feeling” and “trust your heart” are true. Although your gut can’t speak for itself, those feelings or instincts you get when you’re scared, hungry, or uncomfortable speak for themselves. themselves. the intestines (AKA “second brain”) refers to your gastrointestinal (GI) system, the health of which is largely determined by the levels and types of bacteria in your gut, the gut – collectively known as you. The gut microbiome.

Eating probiotics, or live microorganisms that promote gut health—either in supplement form or through food—can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, as well. improving digestion and bowel function. In addition to maintaining your digestive system, probiotics can provide many other health benefits: “Our microbiome is at the center of many things, and maintaining good digestion is just one of them,” Caroline Margolis, who the food register said. Food for Life. “A healthy diet can maintain a healthy immune system to reduce inflammation which can help reduce the risk of chronic disease, as well as maintain cardiovascular health. .Studies show that probiotics can modulate the brain-axis to help reduce the risk of anxiety, depression, and neurological diseases, and also positively affect our sleep patterns.”

So how do probiotics work in the body? The main function of probiotics is maintain a healthy balance in your body. When bad bacteria enter your body and multiply (read: when you’re sick, stressed, or have some kind of illness), probiotics can get in the way. to fight against bad bacteria and return your body to a neutral state. But how do you know if your probiotics are working? Well, there are signs your probiotics are working. Read more for eight positive changes in your body that indicate whether your probiotics are working or not, according to experts.

8 signs that your probiotics are working

1. You experience less gas and bloating

PSA: A faulty gut microbiome is public enemy number one when it comes to constipation. The good news is taking probiotics can support the balance for bacteria that cause less gas, causing less gas and bloating. Depending on in the 2017 study, probiotics can reduce intestinal transit time, or the time it takes to eliminate ingested food, which can also reduce constipation. What else, in 2018 review believe that special probiotics can help reduce constipation and improve bowel movement/consistency (more to come on that) in some patients. bowel syndrome (irritable bowel syndrome)IBS). What types of probiotics are best for fighting constipation? Research shows Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus.

2. You have regular bowel movements

Fact: The nature and frequency of your bowel movements is a window into your overall health, namely your bowel health. Study 2020 showed that the consumption of probiotics, in particular, multi-type probiotics, can significantly reduce gut transit time, increase stool frequency, and improve stool consistency in adults with constipation. Translation: Probiotic supplements have many active forms can help the digestive tract digest food faster, and better digestion means you’ll pass stool more quickly without pain or chronic constipation. Long term, regular year round moves!

3. Your skin is clear

We’ve all heard about the brain-axis—now it’s getting bigger Birth indicates that there is an intestinal connection. The relationship between the gut microbiome and physical health It is regulated by many mechanisms such as inflammatory mediators and the immune system. When this process fails, dysregulation of bacteria in the gut can cause inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis, rosacea, and acne. The silver lining? Some probiotics have been shown promotes the skin’s production of ceramides, or lipids (fats) that hold water in the skin and protect against acne-causing bacteria. By promoting the production of healthy ceramides, probiotics help restore healthy fats, which can have immediate beneficial effects. Also, tHere a growing body of evidence which suggests using probiotics in both pill and topical form can help prevent and treat skin conditions including eczema, acne, skin, and UV-induced skin damage, Healthline reported.

4. You are in a good mood

Simply put: Happy, happy life. Brigitte Zeitlin, registered dietitian and founder of the company, says, “A healthy gut has been linked to lower feelings of stress and anxiety. Food BZ. “In addition, it increases our response to stressful situations (stress response). On the other hand, an irritable bowel is associated with increased depression and anxiety.” Why, you ask? To repeat, The gut is also known as the “second brain” of the body. and good reason. It produces many of the neurotransmitters that the brain does (think: serotonin, dopamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid—all of which play an important role in regulating mood). In fact, it is estimated that 90 percent of serotonin – one of the four “happiness” hormones that control bodily functions such as mood, sleep, and digestion – occurs in the digestive tract.

Some studies have found that probiotics can help improve mood and reduce stress and anxiety. For example, and a double-blind, placebo-controlled studyA significant improvement in mood was observed in the experimental group (daily administration of probiotics), with a decrease in depression, anger, and fatigue and an increase in sleep quality.

5. You sleep at night

A good night’s sleep starts in the womb. No Gut microbiota can produce or release neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which affects the quality of sleep, and melatonin, which helps regulate the circadian rhythm and synchronize the sleep-wake cycle, respectively. A way to increase your serotonin levels? You guessed it: taking a probiotic, which can help stimulate the production and release of serotonin. Review 2022 found that sleepiness (time it takes you to fall asleep), sleep duration, and cortisol levels improved after pro-, pre-, or postbiotic treatment, and probiotics, such as Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria, were improves sleep and anxiety. . Erika Collette, registered dietitian and This is WhyImFit.comechoed the findings saying that when you have an easy time falling asleep and feeling tired when you wake up, your probiotics are doing their job.

6. Do not get sick often

“70% of the immune system is in the gut,” he said Jennifer McManusRD, LDN, CDCES and Pendulum Therapeutics. “When you have a gut, you have an immune system that can help protect you from disease.” According to Harvard Health Publishing, has shown that probiotics secrete protective properties, which can activate the immune system and prevent pathogenic bacteria from taking hold and creating serious infections. Once granted, probiotic bacteria interact with immune cells and increase the production of various cytokines (signaling proteins that help control inflammation in your body). And reducing chronic inflammation is key to good health and protection against infection and disease.

7. You have a lot of energy during the day

Have you ever noticed that when you watch digestive videos (looking at you, stomach aches, bloating, and constipation), you feel more tired? That is not a coincidence. Zeitlin said, “When we are able to digest and absorb food properly, and our gut is healthy, our energy increases because we are able to absorb those nutrients into something to do. something.” “Without a healthy gut to absorb nutrients properly, we can be sluggish and tired.” Probiotics can improve the absorption of micronutrients, such as calcium and iron, from foods that are eaten. And a healthy intestinal flora producing hundreds of bioactive compoundsincluding B-vitamins, which are essential for your body and brain to use for energy production.

8. You feel full for 3-4 hours after a meal

“When consumed, probiotics can help break down and absorb nutrients from food,” McManus reiterated. “This process creates compounds like short-chain fatty acids that are beneficial for gut health—one short-chain fatty acid in particular, butyrate, is important for good sugar control.” According to researchersPeople who showed high blood sugar had a nine percent increase in hunger, in addition to eating their next meal about half an hour faster, and ate more than 300 calories a day than participants who had only a small decrease and glucose levels. Bonus: Zeitlin testifies that because you are digesting your food better and feeling full and satisfied while your probiotics are working, you will have less food and sugar cravings.

How to take probiotics properly

1. Choose high-quality probiotics

Flash: Not all probiotics are created equal and how each person will respond to them will vary. In other words, you are taking the right type of probiotics for you can do wonders to heal your stomach or make it happy. When researching the best probiotics for you, consider the types of bacteria used, which species and / or names have been studied for their effectiveness, and how to store probiotics. Check it out US Probiotic Guidelines to guide you in the right direction for the best probiotics for your needs, and be sure to choose a product without additives.

2. Take them as directed

To get the most out of the benefits and effectiveness of probiotics, follow the dosage recommendations on the label, note the best time to consume the probiotic (ie probiotics with Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterial strains are considered the best. 30 minutes or before meals), and eat them for a full month before deciding whether to continue the process. What how long does it take probiotics to work? That depends on things like Your health condition, the type of antibiotic you are taking, and the quality of the product. General agreement? It can take anywhere from a a few days to several weeks for your probiotics to start working.

3. Store them properly

Store your probiotics exactly as the label says – refrigerated, room temperature, etc. If your probiotics require refrigeration (because there are strains that are very sensitive to certain processing methods and can’t be thirsty), the manufacturer will usually state the location on the bottle or packaging. Another good rule of thumb for storing your probiotics properly is to copy how the bottle was stored when you bought it. When in doubt, store them in a cool, dry place. And if you’re wondering if refrigerated probiotics are more effective than their (freeze-dried) shelf-stable counterparts, the short answer is no—you will benefit from both.

Please consult a doctor or other health professional before starting any treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or a qualified health care provider with any questions you may have about a medical or mental health condition. Do not ignore professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of what you read in this article.

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