Here’s the scoop on good bacteria in your food: while it’s true that live probiotics can be found naturally in non-pasteurized, fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir and fermented veggies (think sauerkraut, miso, tempeh), most Americans get very few of these foods in their daily diet.
Don’t I have enough good bacteria in my gut?
Really it’s all about balance—and everyday factors such as stress, travel, eating unhealthy foods and even the use of some medications can upset the balance of healthy bacteria in your digestive tract. When this happens, it can lead to occasional tummy issues and may impact your overall health. Taking a daily probiotic supplement may be useful in helping to promote a balanced gut to support digestive and immune health.* (Remember—your gut is home to at least 70% of your immune system!*)
A quick note about L’s and B’s
Because different strains of good bacteria provide different benefits, it’s good to look for a variety of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus strains in your probiotic supplement to help keep your complex system thriving.* Lactobacillus strains are the most prevalent probiotic bacteria in the small intestine, and Bifidobacterium strains are most prevalent in the colon (large intestine).
Did you know?
Probiotics also help your body digest valuable nutrients from your food and play an important role in producing needed vitamins like vitamin B12 and vitamin K.*
