Diversity in the Biome:

Daily Probiotics for Better Digestion, Regularity and Immunity

Taking a daily probiotic is important to overall gut health and intestinal flora balance.

The root of the word probiotic comes from the Greek word pro, meaning “promoting,” and biotic, meaning “life.” Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. These are also known as friendly, good, or healthy bacteria, and are naturally found in your body. When you lose “good” bacteria in your body, probiotics can help replace them. They help balance your “good” and “bad” bacteria to keep your body working as it should.

Some common conditions they may help are:

• Irritable bowel syndrome*
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)*
• Infectious diarrhea (caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites)*
• Antibiotic-related diarrhea*

There is also some research to show they help with problems in other parts of your body. For example, some people say they have helped with:

• Skin conditions, like eczema*
• Urinary and vaginal health*
• Preventing allergies and colds*
• Oral health*

Aside from taking a probiotic supplement, certain foods can provide your body with probiotics. Such as:

• Organic yogurt with live cultures (pay attention to the live cultures included and the sugar levels)
• Sauerkraut/Kimchi
• Miso
• Soft cheeses, like gouda
• Kefir (see our smoothie recipe made with kefir here)
• Sourdough bread

Three things to do this week:

1. If you aren’t a breakfast eater, try having a healthful mid-morning snack. Peanut butter and sliced banana on sourdough toast, 3 oz of plain yogurt with 1T honey and a few berries, or a spinach-apple- kefir smoothie, etc. Try for a balance of protein for satiety, something fermented for its probiotics, and fruits or veggies for fiber.

2. Stick to the same bedtime and wake time for the entire week.

3. Find ways to add Kefir, Kombucha, Miso or other fermented items–even sauerkraut—to meals this week for their Probiotics and Enzymes. (i.e. kefir in your smoothie or miso in your soup). Here’s our recipe for a Strawberry Smoothie made with kefir.