Living

What the
Hell Are
Probiotics?

Probiotics have been on the rise for a while. Of course, like any wellness fad, there was oversimplification and misinformation. But over the past few years, there has been a lot more research done, evolving them from something to promote more regular bowel movements to a bonafide scientifically-backed way to boost your overall health—from a stronger immune system to better skin and a faster metabolism. Here's what you need to know.

What are probiotics, exactly?

The Mayo Clinic defines probiotics as good bacteria that are either the same as or very similar to the bacteria that are already in your body. Your lower digestive tract alone teems with a complex and diverse community of these bacteria. And these probiotics have a positive effect on your gut's microbiome as well as your immune system.

* Prebiotics is a classification for the types of dietary fiber, such as oats and apples, that fuel the growth of your gut bacteria, whether existing or newly introduced.

And what is my “microbiome?”

According to the University of Washington's Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health, your microbiome is the genetic material of all the microbes and microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses—that live on and inside the human body. Not generally recognized to exist until the late 1990s, it is essential for human development, immunity and nutrition.

* The microbiome makes up one or two percent of your overall body weight, meaning a 180-pound man is carrying about 2 pounds of bacteria around with him.

Why do I need more?

The more the merrier, right? Because they help combat harmful bacteria, it's a good idea to incorporate them into your diet. Plus, as Vincent Pedre, M.D., medical director of Pedre Integrative Health and author of Happy Gut, explains, many aspects of the modern lifestyle—from the emergence of antibiotics and the use of pesticides in our food to the near-constant presence of stress—effect the microbiome and chip away at our gut's barrier of good bacteria.

What will they do?

Here's where things get interesting. Because according to recent studies by the National Institutes of Health's Human Microbiome Project, your gut's microbiome influences the overall health of your entire body. In a recent study published in Nutrients, researchers investigated probiotics' immune-boosting powers in yogurt. They found that the live bacteria interact with the microbes in our intestines to produce such vitamins as B6, B12 and K; while helping ward off bad bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella. This, in addition to keeping the bowels moving efficiently. Probiotics may also enforce our intestines' natural barrier function, helping to keep viruses like the flu and common cold from getting through. And because they're such potent anti-inflammatories, probiotics have been shown to help clear up skin, reduce allergic reactions, as well as improve cholesterol levels and glucose metabolism.

Where should I get my probiotics?

The good news is that while there are many strains, the most effective and potent, lactobacillus acidophilus (l. acidophilus) and/or Bifidobacterium (B. bifidum), are fairly common and easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Either in the form of supplements (powders, pills or chewy chocolates or gummies) or food that's naturally rich in probiotics (yogurt, pickles and kimchi). Herewith, a few of our favorites.

Lifeaway Kefir

Kefir,
$3.89 by Lifeway

Saverne Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut,
$2 by Saverne

 
Mother in Law Kimchi

Kimchi,
$8.50 by Mother in Law

GoodBelly Tropical Green Juice

Tropical green juice,
$3.99 by GoodBelly

 
Health-Ade Ginger-Lemon Kombucha

Ginger-lemon kombucha,
$3.99 by Health-Ade

Digestive Advantage Gummy Supplements

Gummy supplements,
$12.99 by Digestive Advantage

 
Miso Master Organic Traditional Miso

Organic traditional miso,
$6 by Miso Master

Sakara Chocolate Bites

Chocolate bites,
$39 by Sakara

FYI

Probiotic

The name itself is derived from the Latin pro- meaning “for” and the Greek -biotic meaning “life.”