Are You Listening to Your Gut?

There are lots of good and bad bugs in your body – are the bad ones bugging you?

The Inside Scoop

It’s like an action movie—the epic battle between good and evil wages war inside your body every day. Inside your mouth, intestines, urinary tract—and for women, the vaginal tract—100 trillion bugs are fighting for space. Collectively, scientists refer to this throng of microbes as your microbiome.

Who’s winning? Well, you can usually tell by how well you feel. According to an article from the University of Chicago, the gut microbiome has been defined by researchers as its own distinct organ because of its strong influence on our overall health.

When the careful balance of bacteria is altered—known as dysbiosis—it may impact various aspects of health. Research has explored potential links between gut microbiome imbalances and conditions such as digestive issues, skin concerns, immune function, and even mood regulation.

Our gut microbes can seriously affect our overall health. Grab some popcorn and keep reading to discover how to defeat the villains and reclaim your health!

Ridding Your Body of the Bad Bugs

Your body is like a galaxy—a vast space where microbes compete for territory. The villains in this battle are harmful microbes, such as E. coli or Salmonella. They release harmful substances and disrupt the body. The heroes are probiotics, including those in the Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria families.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, probiotics can help prevent bacterial infections throughout the body by bolstering our beneficial bacteria. These beneficial bacteria aid in digestion, absorption of nutrients, and modulation of the immune system.

The Power of Probiotics!

For probiotics to act as superheroes in your microbiome, a variety of species are needed. For example, Bifidobacteria prefer to roam the lower intestine, while Lactobacilli are present in large numbers in healthy vaginal tracts.

Health First ProBio Supreme contains 14 probiotic species, including the well-researched Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium longum. These strains naturally exist in our microbiome and provide protection throughout the intestinal tract, thanks to a delayed release capsule! Taking one delayed release vegetable capsule daily helps ensure these probiotics pass through the stomach and reach the intestines for maximum effect.

What Are Colony-Forming Units (CFUs)?

Like all epic battles, numbers can be helpful! Measured in colony-forming units (CFUs), probiotics offer health benefits when administered in adequate amounts. Many supplements contain at least 10 billion CFUs or more per dose.

The higher the CFUs found in a probiotic supplement, the more bacteria being administered per capsule. However, higher CFUs do not necessarily mean more health benefits. Different conditions and situations require different quantities. Always consult a healthcare practitioner to determine the correct dose for you.

Health First ProBio Supreme is a great source of probiotics with 55 billion CFUs per delayed-release capsule. That’s a superhero-level dose of beneficial bacteria reaching your intestines!

Choosing a Probiotic:

1. Find the Right Match
   If you’re looking for a specific health benefit (e.g., antibiotic-associated diarrhea relief), choose a probiotic species that matches your needs.
2. Choose Diversity
   For general health, consider a probiotic with multiple species. A multi-species probiotic supplement promotes a favourable gut flora.
3. Ensure Adequate Dosage
   To be effective, probiotics must be taken in adequate amounts. Health Canada recommends a minimum dosage of 10 billion CFUs.
4. Prioritize Quality
   Choose a supplement with probiotic species backed by science and known for high standards in purity and potency.
5. Seek Expert Advice
   Quality natural health retailers have staff in-store to help you choose a probiotic supplement. Visit your local Health First Member store for assistance.

May the good microbes be with you!

References:
Cleveland Clinic. “What Are Probiotics & What Do They Do?” Cleveland Clinic, 30 Oct. 2023, clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14598-probiotics.
“How to Pick the Best Probiotic.” Cleveland Clinic, clevelandclinic.org/how-to-pick-the-best-probiotic-for-you.
National Institutes of Health. “Probiotics.” gov, 3 Nov. 2023, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/.
Wood, Matt. “What Is a Microbiome? | University of Chicago News.” uchicago.edu, news.uchicago.edu/explainer/how-microbiome-affects-human-health-explained.

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