Gut health: Why you need to consider taking probiotics
MAYBE you’ve heard someone say you are what you eat or healthy eating is a way of life. As we all know, our foods contain nutrients that support the growth of bacteria, and our bodies contain millions of healthy as well as bad bacteria, collectively called gut flora. Having a healthy gut is essential for overall health.
According to ADM’s OutsideVoice research, consumers are more interested in the relationship between gut health and immunity, the impact of metabolic health on weight management, eating to improve mental health, interested in personalised nutrition, and planning to spend more money on health and wellness-related items.
Additionally, it notes that plant-based diets are gaining popularity and that 77 percent of consumers wish to take additional steps in the future to maintain their health. Good food choices are good investments.
As a means of achieving balanced overall health, Willco Janse van Vuuren, Managing Director of Relief Pharmaceuticals, says probiotic supplementation and regular exercise can increase our general well-being.
He says the use of probiotics as part of a personal daily wellness regime, along with exercise and a healthy diet, can have a positive contribution to an individual’s health.
“There is no better gift to share with loved ones than the very best version of yourself. Probiotics can help you get there.”
Van Vuuren explains probiotics are a mixture of live, healthy bacteria and/or yeasts that are good for you overall, but especially for your digestive system.
In recent years, research has shown that probiotics can also have a positive impact on mental health. The connection between the gut and the brain, also known as the gutbrain axis, is a complex and bidirectional communication system that can affect both physical and mental health.
Why would you need probiotic supplements?
The balance of good bacteria in our gut is disrupted by factors such as poor diet, stress, and sometimes medication, so probiotic supplements assist in restoring this balance.
“When the balance of good bacteria in our gut is disrupted, it can lead to a variety of health issues such as digestive problems, weakened immune system, and even mental health issues,” said van Vuuren. — IOL Health