There are so many probiotic products available on the market today, it can be confusing to know which is right for you. Today we are looking at the best probiotics for women, and how they could benefit your health and wellbeing.
Probiotics are the ‘gut friendly’ live microorganisms, mainly bacteria and yeasts like those found in the gut. The good bacteria help us to digest food, produce vitamins, absorb nutrients, and destroy the bad microorganisms that could lead to infections and disease.
When the body’s ratio of good and to bad bacteria are in balance, our bodies immune and digestive systems improve, weight management is easier, and the skin becomes clearer. Probiotic foods, drinks and supplements help to fortify your gut and rebalance the microbiome.
Taking measures to improve gut health is particularly important if you have an impaired immune system, digestive issues, or if you are recovering from surgery. This is because the gut contains a higher concentration of immune cells than anywhere else in the body.
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Which Are The Best Probiotics For Women?
Probiotics are not all the same. Some strains of bacteria and yeasts will have benefits for different parts of the body. Let’s look at how probiotics can help different areas of women’s health, so you can better decide which could be right for you.
Digestive Health
Helps absorb the nutritional benefits from foods. When improving your digestive health, it is important to keep in mind that sugar can feed the bad bacteria in the gut. So, when you are choosing the best probiotic go for sugar free and look at other ways of lowering the amount of sugar in your diet. Including more probiotic foods or supplements will help you to bring the ratio back towards healthy gut microbiome.
If you suffer from constipation or diarrhea while traveling, a shelf-stable probiotic supplement can help to rebalance the gut and relieve the unwanted symptoms.
Reproductive Health
Although the exact benefits of probiotics on women’s reproductive systems are yet to be proven for , there are studies to suggest that particular strains of the Lactobacillus family of bacteria can have beneficial effects on conditions such as thrush and bacterial vaginosis. These beneficial bacteria can be found in probiotics foods such as kefir and whole fat yogurt with no added sugar, as well as lacto-fermented vegetables like kimchi, pickles and sauerkraut.
Some women have also found that taking probiotic supplements regularly can also help to prevent urinary tract infections and reduce their frequency and intensity.
Skin Health
There is a close relationship between your gut and your skin. If there are any problems in the digestive system or the organs related to it such as the liver, the effects of that are likely to show up in your skin. Eliminating inflammation-causing foods from your diet such as hydrogenated vegetable oils, sugar, and refined grains is a great start for improving gut and skin health. You can then gain more benefits from taking probiotic foods or supplements because they will have less inflammation to fight against.
There are many probiotics for women that have been specifically developed for skin health such as probiotic infused gels and creams for topical use. However, it’s also good to treat from the inside out with oral supplements, and probiotic rich foods and drinks. Kombucha and apple cider vinegar have been noted as some of the best probiotics for helping to prevent and reduce acne.
Mental Health
Ever have a gut feeling about something? That feeling is a perfect example of how important the gut is to our emotions and mental health. The gut is sometimes referred to as our second brain due to what’s known as the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system governs the autonomic functions of the digestive system but can also affect our mood and mental health. This is partly because 90% of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and stress, is produced in the gut.
Serotonin is synthesized in the body from an amino acid called tryptophan and this is where probiotics come in. Some researchers believe that certain probiotics may increase production of tryptophan in the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn leads to higher levels of serotonin. This then helps to lift mood and regulate emotions. If you are experiencing any mental health issues, talk to your GP so they can recommend the best probiotic for you.
Probiotic Weight Loss
When we think of weight loss, one of the first thing we think of is calories. What we don’t often consider is that the bacteria in our gut breakdown calories too. They digest the food that we cannot digest, however this can lead to inflammation and increased blood sugar. This is why it is wise to stick to foods your body can digest easily and include plenty of fiber. Many fibers are also known as prebiotics, they feed the good bacteria (probiotics) in the gut.
The food you eat determines which types of bacteria can thrive in the gut. If you have habitual routines of eating fresh fruits and vegetables, the bacteria in your gut would be healthier compared to those of someone who regularly ate high-sugar, processed foods. Probiotic weight loss is an effective solution for those who have been trying to eat healthier but do not see any weight loss results. Probiotic foods like natural yogurt, cottage cheese with live cultures, and real buttermilk are often used in probiotic weight loss plans as they can help lower cholesterol. Probiotic supplements also work well to assist weight loss because they do a great job of cleaning out the digestive tract.
As you can see, there are numerous benefits of taking probiotics for women and men, but before you purchase there are some things to consider:
- Supplements come in various strengths and are measured by their CFU [colony forming units]. Go for multi strain supplement with at least five billion CFU for higher potency and more effective results. The Probiotic 10 Billion is a broad-spectrum option with immune supporting bacteria inside easy-to-digest vegetable capsules.
- Some probiotics lose their potency if they are not stored correctly. If you’re on the go and travel often, its best to find a supplement like the Probiotic 10 Billion by East Park Research that can be stored at room temperature without losing any of the benefits.
- Go for a trusted brand that has been tried and tested to contain what the label says it contains.
Always consult your doctor or dietician if you have gut problems or mental health worries. This article is in no way intended to be a replacement for medical advice.
Author Bio:
Geoff Melcher is the President at East Park Research in Las Vegas, NV. East Park Research has conducted in-depth studies into the healing properties of the olive leaf, resulting in the development of a unique olive leaf extract formulation, d-Lenolate®.