Though it's not always talked about, many women suffer from mood swings at some point in their lives. Luckily, there are things you can do to improve your mood, including taking probiotics. Probiotics are good bacteria that help keep your gut healthy, and research has shown that they can also positively affect your mood. So if you're looking for a natural way to boost your mood, consider adding probiotics to your diet. Who knows? Your happiness may thank you for it!
Probiotics 101
Probiotics are incredible!
Everyone consistently has both good and bad bacteria within their body. Probiotics consist of good, live bacteria that naturally live within your body. There are times when the bacteria in your body may be out of balance, and the bad bacteria may be dominating. When you take a probiotic and add good bacteria to your system, this can return your body to a better bacteria balance.
Probiotics are part of your microbiome. Every person has their own microbiome which is a combination of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa. Beneficial probiotics live in targeted areas of the body, more specifically, your lungs, skin, urinary tract, mouth, and gut. Good bacteria help digest food and support your immune system by keeping bad bacteria at bay and improving gut health.
DISCOVER: Your Probiotic Questions, Answered
Benefits Of Probiotics For Mood
Turns out the gut and brain are connected. This duo is called the gut-brain axis and is linked through signaling exchanged between the nervous system and the digestive tract. The gut produces many of the same neurotransmitters that are produced in the brain–neurotransmitters that are responsible for regulating your mood, including serotonin and dopamine.
This connection between the brain and the gut is powerful. When you experience a stressful event in your brain, it sends a signal directly to your gut, which is why being upset can cause an anxious stomach. Studies have shown that the use of probiotics to balance out the bacteria in your gut can lead to better gut health, creating an overall improved mood.
Certain strains of probiotics are specifically targeted for mood. Lactobacillus plantarum dr7 is a specific probiotic strain that specifically targets the gut-brain axis and may help reduce symptoms and feelings of stress. Another helpful strain is Lactobacillus rhamnosus CG, is a bacteria that is naturally found in the body, mainly found in the intestines. These positive bacteria assist in preventing harmful bacteria from growing in your stomach and intestines. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a common type of probiotic that can be found in supplements, yogurt, and fermented foods. It’s also a type of bacteria living within your intestines, and it produces lactic acid by producing the enzyme lactase. Lactase is responsible for breaking down lactose into lactic acid and lactic acid is a key player in the digestion game.
The incredible benefits of these probiotics and their relation to the gut-brain axis can ultimately lead to positive mood regulation.
How To Get Probiotics Into Your Diet
You may be asking yourself what is the best way to incorporate probiotics into your diet and daily routine. There are many ways to improve your probiotic intake.
Probiotics can be incorporated into your diet through consuming fermented foods such as probiotic yogurt that contains live or active cultures, or kefir which is a fermented milk drink and is generally well tolerated by people who may be lactose intolerant. Sauerkraut is also known for being rich in vitamins and minerals and an excellent way to consume your probiotics. Other options include tempeh, miso, and kimchi. Pickles and kombucha are also both on the list!
However, if you’re not a sauerkraut lover and pickles and kimchi aren’t your thing, probiotic supplements are hugely beneficial. One positive of consuming supplements is that you know exactly which strains of the probiotic your body is receiving. Probiotic supplements come in a variety of forms such as liquids, powders, capsules or pills, drinks, or food. As always, make sure you consult your physician before adding any new supplements to your daily diet.
One particularly important time to consume probiotics may be right after you have been taking an antibiotic medication. Antibiotics tend to kill bad bacteria as they fight an infection, but in turn, they also kill the good bacteria at the same time. Some people need more to support healthy digestion after consuming an antibiotic, but by staying ahead of the game and planning ahead with a probiotic, you are able to repopulate the good bacteria and reboot your system. This helps your body fight off any bad bacteria that may be remaining.
How do you make sure that you are getting the most out of your probiotic? Make sure you are choosing the right probiotic to meet your needs. Different strains have different benefits and uses. Carefully read all labels, follow the dosing instructions, and pay attention to the time when you are supposed to be consuming the supplement.
Tips For Using Probiotics For Your Mood
Studies have shown that the probiotics that are thought to be the most helpful for your overall mood and mental health are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria. You can search for these strains when researching which probiotic to purchase.
As discussed earlier, you can also add probiotics to your diet, but if you decide to go the supplement route, make sure you follow the recommended dosing information.
Xyngular Complete Probiotic™: More Than Just Gut Health
The benefits of healthy bacteria in your gut, called “probiotics,” assist in maintaining good health, supporting weight loss, and absorbing nutrients. Today’s lifestyle and diet do not always make it easy to maintain healthy levels of these important bacteria.
With this in mind, Xyngular created Complete Probiotic™. Complete Probiotic is a simple and immediate way to provide your body with the critical probiotics it needs for your optimal, whole-body health. Complete Probiotic supports healthy weight loss and digestive health, fights gas and bloating, and helps ensure maximum absorption of all the nutrients from the food and supplements you consume.*
Go to your Xyngular account today or contact your distributor to order Complete Probiotic, and begin your journey to better digestive health.
*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.
