Probiotics help you boost your immune system and maintain intestinal health

probioticsProbiotics are microorganisms that offer numerous benefits to human gut health. In recent years, a wide variety of probiotic products have appeared on the market, with varying types and effects. Gogo Herbs has compiled relevant information about probiotics to help you understand how to properly consume them and maximize their effectiveness!

What are probiotics?

Probiotics, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), are microorganisms that, when ingested in appropriate amounts, produce beneficial effects on the human body. Probiotics maintain gut health by regulating the function of the host's mucosa and systemic immune system, or by modulating the balance of gut microbiota, thereby promoting nutrient absorption and producing single or well-defined mixtures of beneficial microorganisms. The human gut contains over 100 trillion gut bacteria and microorganisms, acquired from the mother's pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation, or from diet and the living environment. A healthy gut microbiota helps maintain the normal functioning of the immune and digestive systems; proper consumption of probiotics can maintain a healthy gut environment and prevent harmful bacteria from affecting gut health.

Benefits of probiotics

1. Maintain a healthy digestive system

The most well-known benefit of probiotics is improving gut health. Probiotics in the gut can effectively inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, help promote intestinal motility, and relieve common symptoms such as lactose intolerance, constipation, and diarrhea.

2. Helps with weight management

Supplementing with probiotics daily can help eliminate waste and toxins, lower BMI, reduce visceral fat, and thus achieve weight loss. It can also improve skin health.

3. Boost the immune system

The gut is the largest immune organ in the human body. Probiotics in the gut can activate immunoglobulins, enhance the body's immunity, and may help maintain cardiovascular health. Studies have indicated that probiotics may maintain the health of the urinary tract and vagina, and reduce hay fever. Some probiotic products contain lactoferrin, which has effects such as balancing the immune system, fighting infection, and regulating allergic constitution, thus improving allergic constitution and enhancing immunity against bacteria and viruses.

4. Prevent cardiovascular problems

Probiotics can break down bile in the gut, which may help stabilize the gut.bloodCholesterol, maintaincardiovascularSmooth flow.

Probiotic food sources

Yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, miso, cheese, and other foods are rich in probiotics, but these foods often contain large amounts of added sugar or salt, so consuming too much is not beneficial. Furthermore, probiotics are unlikely to remain active enough to reach the intestines. Therefore, if you wish to increase your probiotic intake...Immunity EnhancementTo improve the gut environment, you might consider taking probiotic products.

How should probiotics be taken?

A common belief is that taking probiotics 30 minutes before meals is most effective because they can enter the body more quickly and have a higher survival rate in the intestines. However, some argue that the digestive tract after meals has a richer substrate, which is more suitable for probiotics, and provides sufficient buffering agents to prevent choline and stomach acid from damaging them and affecting their effectiveness.

In fact, most probiotic products on the market today use advanced special processing technology to make probiotics heat-resistant, acid- and alkali-resistant and maintain their activity. As long as you take them on time every day and persist for more than 3 months, while paying attention to supplementing dietary fiber (such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits), the probiotics will successfully colonize the body and exert their effects.

1. Multi-strain supplementation

Take 3 to 5 types of probiotics at the same time and continue taking them for more than 3 months to allow the probiotics sufficient time to colonize in the intestines. If there is no significant improvement in your health condition after three months, you should switch to different types of probiotics to find the most suitable probiotics for you.

2. Do not take with antibiotics.

Antibiotics kill bacteria in the body, and they cannot distinguish between beneficial and harmful bacteria, thus killing probiotics as well. People who need to take antibiotics should ideally take probiotics at least two hours apart.

3. Supplement with prebiotics

While supplementing with probiotics, eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, mushrooms, and other foods rich in dietary fiber. Water-soluble dietary fiber is the main source of prebiotics, which are the nutritional source of probiotics. Probiotics can break down prebiotics, and consuming enough prebiotics helps probiotics colonize and further exert their effects.

Live bacteria VS Dead bacteria

Probiotic products can be divided into two categories: live bacteria and dead bacteria. Live bacteria can colonize the intestines, thus maintaining their health benefits for a long time. Even after stopping use, the effects can last for one to two weeks. Dead bacteria, on the other hand, lose their effects quickly after supplementation, but because of their smaller size, they are more effective at activating the body's immune system than live bacteria. Therefore, if the product formula focuses on regulating intestinal function, choose live bacteria; if it is more focused on improving immunity, choose dead bacteria.

Capsules? Tablets? Powder? Gummies?

The way probiotics are taken also has a great influence on their efficacy.

Tablets/Gummy Candies: Tablets are the common pills made by heating and pressing powder into round cakes, while gummies are more commonly found in probiotic products for children. Since most probiotics are not heat-resistant (cannot exceed 50-60°C), and tablets and gummies undergo high-heat and pressurization processes during manufacturing, causing a large number of probiotics to die, the formulas generally do not use live probiotics.

Powder: This refers to powdered powder. Powder has the best absorption rate, but it tends to stick to the mouth and esophagus. Moreover, the active probiotics are easily digested by stomach acid and choline after ingestion and cannot smoothly enter the large intestine.

Capsules: Probiotics protected by capsules can pass through the highly acidic environment of the stomach and enter the intestines.

Side effects of probiotics

Some people may experience mild side effects such as bloating, diarrhea, gastrointestinal discomfort, and abdominal cramps after taking probiotics, or even serious illnesses.有Patients with immune system problems or serious illnesses can only take specific strains of probiotics. Therefore, before purchasing probiotics, you should carefully understand the product ingredients or consult a doctor or pharmacist to avoid adverse reactions.

Related reading:Trustworthy probiotic brands

Recommended probiotic health products

Jamieson – Pure Natural Probiotics

– easy-to-swallow vegetarian capsules containing 14 unique probiotic strains.
– Balances the intestinal flora and helps digestion.
– helps maintain a healthy immune system
– relieves diarrhea caused by viruses and diarrhea during travel.

G-NiiB – Immunity Pro Professional Formula

– Precision Formula, specially designed for Asians
– contains natural strains of bacteria and heat-resistant prebiotics that can colonize the human gut.
– restores gut microbiota imbalance and strengthens immunity
– clinical trials have shown benefits for patients with novel coronavirus.
– contains no artificial flavors, colors, gluten, or GMOs.

Vebogen – Pure Natural Probiotics

– Carefully Selected 5 Major Active Bacterial Strains
– helps maintain gut balance
– enhances immune function and accelerates nutrient absorption.