Do you feel like you could always use a little more energy? Feeling rundown, especially during the colder months when everyone is trapped inside? Lots of people swear by probiotic supplements as a way to support their immune system, but even with all the glowing testimonials, you still find yourself wondering: do probiotics actually work? Let's take a closer look at probiotics–we’ll explore (and debunk if necessary!) some of the common myths, and share with you what benefits, if any, probiotic supplements can offer.
Probiotics 101
Simply put, probiotics are live microorganisms that are similar to live microorganisms (aka good gut bacteria) that are found naturally in your gut. Taking probiotics can help replenish the good bacteria in your gut and support your digestive health. For example, after a round of antibiotics, a probiotic supplement can replenish the good bacteria in your gut and support nutrient absorption. Your microbiome is full of diverse, live microorganisms (over 100 trillion microbes!) that aid digestion and support immune functions. When this microbiome is out of balance, it can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort, poor digestion, and can even affect your mood. When your gut is not happy, neither are you! Adding a probiotic supplement to your diet can make sure you strike the right balance between the good and bad bacteria, keeping your digestive and immune systems functioning at their peak.
The Benefits Of Probiotics
Probiotics benefits are diverse. They have been linked with a variety of health benefits, including improved digestion, a stronger immune system, improved mood, and better skin health. Some probiotic strains may even help to reduce gas and bloating. While probiotics are found naturally in some foods, such as yogurt and sauerkraut, they can also be taken in supplement form. That said, fermented foods such as yogurt contain limited probiotic strains, whereas a good probiotic supplement is packed with a variety of strains and a higher number of CFUs (colony forming units). Regardless of how you choose to get your probiotics, they can be a valuable addition to your overall health regimen.
Probiotics And Weight Loss
While this area is still undergoing research, preliminary studies show mixed results and seem to vary depending on the type of probiotic you take. Every probiotic is tasked with supporting a different function, so it’s important to take the strain that is proven to provide the benefit you seek. For example, evidence has linked the probiotic strain Lactobacillus Gasseri with helping people lose weight. Studies have also shown that overweight people have less diversity of gut bacteria when compared to their lean counterparts. High-quality probiotic supplements are helpful in this area because they contain a wide variety of strains and have high CFUs. So even though the research is still being developed, it does seem that probiotic supplements can have a modest effect on weight loss, especially when combined with a healthy diet and consistent exercise.
Probiotics And Gut Health
If there is still research to be done linking weight loss to probiotics, the issue becomes more clear-cut when it comes to improving gut health. Most researchers agree on how probiotics work and how they impact your metabolism. They boost your metabolism by helping your body make vitamins like vitamin k, B9, B12, and B7, while also helping your body absorb minerals like magnesium, calcium, and iron. Probiotics also help break down carbohydrates and make short-chain fatty acids which reduce gastrointestinal stress and help your body use energy more efficiently.
7 Probiotic Myths You Need To Know
The health benefits of probiotic supplements seem pretty darn good. So, it’s likely that you are at least considering taking a probiotic supplement, but you may still be unsure. Some people swear by them for improved gut health, while others remain skeptical. So, what's the story with probiotics? Are they worth taking, or are they just another fad? Here are the 7 most common probiotic myths.
All Probiotic Supplements Are The Same
Every probiotic strain is designed to deliver a specific, scientifically proven, function. Science supports this, as studies have shown that probiotics that deliver a high diversity in strains are the most effective. High-quality probiotics are scientifically tested and combined in a thoughtful way. They must have multiple strains, demonstrate efficacy during testing, and be designed to meet specific health functions. Not every probiotic can make these claims and stand by them.
I Can Get All The Probiotics I Need From Food
Even if your palate craves fermented foods that provide live bacteria, like yogurt or kimchi, these natural foods often contain limited strains in limited quantities. Research has shown that a healthy gut requires many different strains of bacteria. In addition, many of these natural foods sit on the shelf a long time before you eat them, and some or all of the bacteria may be dead or at the end of their life cycle where they can no longer impact your gut. Even if the bacteria is healthy, your stomach acid will likely kill them before they can enter the digestive tract and do the real work. A high-quality probiotic supplement is designed to withstand digestive acids and has a clearly marked expiration date. A probiotic supplement is an easy way to get the bacteria diversity and live bacteria that your digestive system requires.
Probiotics Don’t Really Impact Your Health
Scientists have proven that the good bacteria in our gut plays a critical role in body functions like digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, skin health, and even mood stabilization. It stands to reason that if the bacteria is out of balance, this will indeed have an adverse effect on some or all of those functions. A struggling gut microbiome can manifest as gas and bloating in your digestive system. Many scientific journals have documented the importance of maintaining a balanced microbiome. A probiotic supplement can be an easy and efficient way to keep that gut in balance and healthy.
If You’re Healthy, You Don’t Need Probiotics
Our modern diet is full of things that damage our gut microbiome. Processed items like sugar, simple carbohydrates, and food additives appear frequently in much of the food we eat. Add in the toxins that we ingest through the air we breathe and the water we drink, and you have the perfect environment to kill the good bacteria that live in your gut.
I Only Need To Take Probiotics If I’ve Been On Antibiotics
It’s always a good idea to take probiotics when you're on an antibiotic. Antibiotics kill both the good and bad bacteria in your body–they don’t discriminate! So, it’s crucial that you replenish the good bacteria by taking a probiotic supplement. Unfortunately, antibiotics are not the only thing that can disrupt a healthy gut microbiome. Things like stress or unhealthy diets full of processed sugar and carbs can also threaten a healthy gut. In our modern, complex world, taking a probiotic supplement can simplify this aspect of your life by supporting your overall health.
All Good Probiotics Are Refrigerated
Probiotics are live microorganisms, and as such, are sensitive to changes in temperature, light, and moisture. New technology, like freeze-drying and desiccant lining, helps preserve the bacteria without using refrigeration.
If I Take Probiotics For Too Long, My Body Will Get Used To Them
This is simply not true. Bacteria, like those contained in probiotic supplements, occur naturally in our bodies. They perform crucial functions, and the body never builds up any type of immunity to them. Because many of us do not have healthy gut microbiomes, due to diet and the stress and complexity of the modern world, probiotics are the perfect digestive helpers.
How Do I Know Which Probiotic Is Right For Me?
To choose the best probiotic for you, look for a high-quality, multi-strain probiotic. But not only that–the strains must also be clinically studied to provide the specific health benefits you are seeking. Xyngular products use only the highest quality ingredients and are formulated with you in mind. A high-quality probiotic can be the supplement that brings everything back into balance and keep it there.
BUY THE BEST PROBIOTIC TODAY!
Xyngular Complete Probiotic has 20 billion CFUs with 11 unique strains of gut-healthy bacteria. These 11 strains were specifically designed to support digestion, mood, and healthy weight loss.* We recommend incorporating Complete Probiotic as part of your daily wellness regime. One capsule a day, taken with water, first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, will start your day off right. Don’t wait! Better mood, digestion, weight loss, and more are all benefits that could be yours.*
Order Complete Probiotic today! Contact your local Xyngular distributor, log in to your Xyngular account, or give us a call today.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
More On Gut Health From Xyngular:
Get To Know Xyngular’s Complete Probiotic™ Ingredients
Have Probiotic Questions? We Have Answers!