Probiotics for good health
by Kavita Devgan
Sometimes more than big changes, all we need is one small change to net large health gains. Including probiotics in the diet is that one change I wish everyone would make.
So what’s a probiotic? Sounds complicated, but it isn’t really! Let me explain: our stomach has a lot of bacteria (billions) present naturally in it - some good, and some bad. The good ones (scientists say there are about 400 types of these) help keep our digestion humming, immunity in top shape, and diseases at bay! Basically they serve as a key line of defence against toxins that invade our body. The bad ones, do the exact opposite! When we are stressed, eat wrong, take too many medications, OD on alcohol and junk etc, the ratio of good vs bad (bacteria) gets skewed, and that’s when all the troubles start. Maybe in the beginning this shows up just in the form of a bloated, constipated, can’t seem-to-digest-anything feeling, but slowly the problems scale up.
A shot of health
Now in an ideal world we should be able to tame all the wrong steps (say no to booze at the post conference office party, and eat by 9 every night…) but that’s easier said than done! Can’t really risk making the boss angry now can we! And how can you eat your dinner till the next days presentation is ready… The temptations and spoilers are way too many!
That’s where probiotics come in handy as a good habit by helping you digest and better assimilate nutrients from food. These are also loaded with B vitamins, packed with essential enzymes our body needs - and also add millions of healthy bacteria to the intestines besides edging out the bad ones (thus tipping the balance more towards good than bad). Plus they are a good antidote to antibiotics, which tend to kill good bacteria along with the bad, and also for those who eat a lot of junk food. Junk as we all know is loaded with fat and preservatives which suppress good bacteria in our gut.
Score big!
A good probiotic food contains millions and millions of live bacteria which join hands with the good bugs already present in our gut and boost health exponentially So where do you find them?
Foods that deliver healthy bacteria (natural probiotics) include blue cheese, buttermilk, kefir, Miso soup or paste and sauerkraut. Luckily now we have lots of options in the market: Probiotic milk, yoghurts, even ice-creams and yoghurts. Some tablets and capsules are also available. But like I always say: stick to real when it comes to food.
Sometimes more than big changes, all we need is one small change to net large health gains. Including probiotics in the diet is that one change I wish everyone would make.
So what’s a probiotic? Sounds complicated, but it isn’t really! Let me explain: our stomach has a lot of bacteria (billions) present naturally in it - some good, and some bad. The good ones (scientists say there are about 400 types of these) help keep our digestion humming, immunity in top shape, and diseases at bay! Basically they serve as a key line of defence against toxins that invade our body. The bad ones, do the exact opposite! When we are stressed, eat wrong, take too many medications, OD on alcohol and junk etc, the ratio of good vs bad (bacteria) gets skewed, and that’s when all the troubles start. Maybe in the beginning this shows up just in the form of a bloated, constipated, can’t seem-to-digest-anything feeling, but slowly the problems scale up.
A shot of health
Now in an ideal world we should be able to tame all the wrong steps (say no to booze at the post conference office party, and eat by 9 every night…) but that’s easier said than done! Can’t really risk making the boss angry now can we! And how can you eat your dinner till the next days presentation is ready… The temptations and spoilers are way too many!
That’s where probiotics come in handy as a good habit by helping you digest and better assimilate nutrients from food. These are also loaded with B vitamins, packed with essential enzymes our body needs - and also add millions of healthy bacteria to the intestines besides edging out the bad ones (thus tipping the balance more towards good than bad). Plus they are a good antidote to antibiotics, which tend to kill good bacteria along with the bad, and also for those who eat a lot of junk food. Junk as we all know is loaded with fat and preservatives which suppress good bacteria in our gut.
Score big!
A good probiotic food contains millions and millions of live bacteria which join hands with the good bugs already present in our gut and boost health exponentially So where do you find them?
Foods that deliver healthy bacteria (natural probiotics) include blue cheese, buttermilk, kefir, Miso soup or paste and sauerkraut. Luckily now we have lots of options in the market: Probiotic milk, yoghurts, even ice-creams and yoghurts. Some tablets and capsules are also available. But like I always say: stick to real when it comes to food.
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