What are probiotics
The word “Probiotic” comes from the Latin word ‘pro’ (for) and Greek ‘biotic (life), so it literally means “for life”. Probiotics are beneficial living organisms, and it is this fact that makes them so valuable for health.
Why do I need probiotics?
Did you know?
- Over 400 species of different bacteria live in our gut
- These bacteria can weigh more than 3 kilos in total
- 70% of our immunity is in our gut
The bacteria in our gut help us to absorb and utilise vitamins and nutrients, aid digestion, metabolise medications, support gut and liver function, and maintain immunity. So you can see how important a healthy digestive system with a good balance of bacteria is.
Many things can upset the balance of good and bad bacteria in our gut, which can then have an impact on our health. Some of these things include:
- Medications eg: steroids and the contraceptive pill
- Antibiotics (these kill good and bad bacteria)
- Poor diet and lifestyle
- Infection, illness, food poisoning
- Stress
- Environmental pollutants
- Aging
Have you ever had any of these problems?
- Constipation, diarrhoea, IBS
- Bloating, gas
- Fogginess, forgetfulness
- Spots or floaters in your eyes
- Skin rashes, eczema, hives, itchiness or redness
- Allergies, hayfever, sinusitis
These could be signs that your gut bacteria is out of balance and you are not digesting your food as well as you could be. It is important though to check with your health care professional if these symptoms persist to rule out any other conditions.
How do I get back into balance?
Fermented foods such as tempeh, miso, sauerkraut, natto, kimchi, sourdough, kefir and yoghurt (natural, unsweetened) all have health benefits for your digestive tract, as they provide natural ‘friendly’ bacteria. However, few people incorporate these types of foods into their diet.
Of these foods, yoghurt is the most commonly eaten. But is yoghurt enough to restore balance? Well…actually, no it isn’t. While it is good to eat yoghurt with live bacteria, the levels that you find in most yoghurt are not at a sufficient or effective dose. (You would need to eat up to 20 x 150g pots of standard yoghurt to get the benefit of one Probiotica P3 capsule.)
Why Probiotica P3?
- Probiotica P3 contains human strains of live beneficial bacteria. This means that the bacteria grow once they get into your large bowel. This help to ensure that the good bacteria levels there outweigh the bad.
- Probiotica P3 bacteria are acid-resistant, so they get through the harsh environment of your stomach into the large intestine where they do their work.
- Probiotica P3 doesn’t need refrigeration, so it’s great for travellers. You can keep it in your desk at work or in your bag for convenience.
- Finally, Probiotica P3 contains no dairy or lactose. That means it’s safe if you’re dairy-intolerant.
When you take supplements, it is important to always read the label and use them only as directed. If your symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional.