Let's dive into what probiotics are and why they can be a game-changer for women!
What Do We Mean by Probiotics?
Probiotics are the good stuff. Also called the good bacteria that naturally occur in our gut. In fact, our stomach is home to almost a hundred trillion living microorganisms that are whizzing around in the stomach and intestines. And their job is to keep our body in perfect microbial harmony! Might you have heard the term - friendly bacteria? Well! It's simply because they are responsible for maintaining the harmful bacteria in check.
How do Probiotics Help us?
The friendly bacteria play a vital role in keeping our health in order. For instance, did you know that one of the ways they help us is by keeping our moods boosted and fighting depression? But that's not all! It also helps in aiding weight loss and combating flu and colds. What's more, it has miraculous effects on providing relief from IBS, also known as irritable bowel syndrome and discomfort of cystitis. Finally, it is also credited with helping to lower blood pressure. The list of things it can do is impressive and covers quite a range of issues, especially for something you can't even see! Wouldn't you agree?
What are the Food Sources of Probiotics?
Some well-known food sources for this good bacteria are live bio yogurt, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, fermented foods like fermented cabbage and other vegetables, kimchi, kefir, and miso, also known as fermented soybean paste, and pickles. The best way to shop for probiotics is to check for labels that say - 'live and active cultures. Alternatively, you could also opt for supplements that supply 1-2 billion to approximately 20 billion CFU per dose. It's advisable to pick a probiotic supplement with a long shelf life. This ensures that it still has all the good stuff you are after.
How Can Probiotics Help Women?
We already know about the impressive list of things it can do for almost anyone. However, probiotics can be a better friend when it comes to women. Read on,
1. It promotes vaginal health: Taking the right probiotics can genuinely be a boon for women as it helps with keeping the balance of the vaginal microbiome. As a result, there are fewer chances of developing urogenital infections, yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis. A healthy vagina has the dominant lactobacilli. It's responsible for keeping the vagina too acidic, which helps to avoid harmful microorganisms. However, this natural balance gets disrupted due to taking antibiotics, contraceptive pills and spermicides. Taking the right probiotics can restore this balance and keep the female problems at bay.
2. Probiotics can also help with issues of fertility: Probiotics, as we know, play an essential role in keeping the vaginal tract healthy by ensuring an acidic environment. It, therefore, can be of help for women trying to conceive by helping some conditions that affect fertility.
Conclusion
These good bacteria are indeed a friend to human beings. When it comes to women, they help keep female urogenital problems in check, help reduce urinary tract infections (UTI) can be instrumental in aiding with fertility issues. The resume of probiotics only keeps getting better and better. So, if you are dashing out of the door to get your hand on them, keep in mind that probiotics are only effective if they are of excellent quality with active cultures. Trusting reputable health food stores is the way to ensure its benefits.
Foods for Life is one of the leading natural food stores in Toronto that offers health foods, vitamins and supplements at discount prices. We've been helping Canadians achieve their health supplement needs for over 44 years in our locally owned store! Send your order for an in-store pick-up today!