Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts which help your digestive system and general gut health. They're found naturally in your body, and are sometimes known as "good" bacteria. If you're suffering from digestive problems, be sure to check out our top products below from great brands such as BePure & GoHealthy.

Types of probiotic supplements

There are a few beneficial bacteria that count as probiotics, however there are two main groups which provide different health benefits.

Lactobacillus is thought to be the most common. This is the bacteria that's found in yoghurt and other fermented food. Strains of lactobacillus are known to help with diarrhoea and for people who struggle to digest lactose, which is the sugar in milk.

Bifidobacterium can be traced in some dairy products and it appears to ease the symptoms of IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).

What do Probiotics do?

Probiotics help send food through your gut by affecting nerves that control gut movement. There are many benefits to taking probiotic supplements, including reduced inflammatory responses for those with milk or dairy allergies, they can be used in the treatment of certain digestive disorders such as IBS and Crohn's disease. Some studies have also said that taking probiotic supplements can support mental health and they have been associated with improving the side effects of anxiety and OCD.

Is it OK to take probiotic supplements everyday?

Probiotic supplements are some of the safest natural supplements you can take and research has found they're great for supporting a healthy body. A common concern is that our digestive system will become lazy, or reliant if taking something to support it, however there is no current evidence to suggest that.

It can take some time to see the results of taking a supplement like this so a daily dose over time is good for maintaining a healthy gut, particularly after being on antibiotics as they essentially do the opposite, wiping out the bacteria both good and bad.