Probiotic Foods
Historically, we probably had plenty of probiotics in our diets because we ate food grown in good soil and many of them were fermented to stop them from going bad. Probiotics are strains of bacteria that occur naturally in our digestive systems. They keep our digestive systems in balance and help us to digest our food, control bad bacteria, make valuable nutrients, and support our immune system.
Bad bacteria can take over if we do not have enough good bacteria in our gut. The good bacteria take up space and prevent the bad bacteria from getting too much of a foothold. The way to restore digestive health lies in getting the right balance of bacteria in the gut.
Antibiotics kill the good bacteria, as well as bad and the good bacteria, needs to be replaced.
Probiotics can be used to treat the symptoms caused by the use of antibiotics. We’re exposed to so many toxins and stressors that can affect the balance in our gut, creating a breeding ground for yeast, bad bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. This has a negative effect on the digestive and immune system. Adding probiotics to the diet can help to rectify this problem.
Some people lack an enzyme needed to break down lactose and they suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea as a result. This condition is called lactose-intolerance and those suffering from it may find that probiotics help to relieve their symptoms.
How to add it to your diet:
Probiotics are found primarily in dairy and soy-based products. Greek yogurt, sauerkraut, and buttermilk are all well-known probiotic foods. Some less common ones that are gaining popularity as their benefits become evident are kimchi (Korean spicy, fermented cabbage) kefir (a cultured, creamy beverage) and miso (fermented soy bean paste).