Probiotics are microorganisms, usually known as good bacteria that provide us with tons of health benefits from the moment we ingest ‘til they reach our gut. However, the good bacteria should be of high quality strain so that the live cultures can pass through the digestive tract safely.
- A probiotic is of high-quality if it has the three following abilities:
- Stop pathogens in the gut environment from growing;
It remains unaffected by stomach acids; and Stays alive when it reaches the gut.
When is the Best Time to Take Probiotics?
Probiotic supplements are best taken after or during breakfast in order to give it a higher chance of survival. As explained by probiotics experts,the acids in our stomach are at the lowest level during this time. This phenomenon is caused by the presence of food in the stomach.
The acid is very important in keeping us safe from harmful bacteria as it destroys them the moment they enter the stomach alongside the food and water. Digestive acids are very useful in preventing us to from contracting foodborne diseases. The probiotics that can thrive in the acid protects the gut environment from harmful pathogens.
Where in the Gut Do Probiotics Work?
Once the probiotic supplements reach the stomach, the good bacteria will proceed to work its way toward the small intestines. Upon their release from the supplement form, some strains of bacteria will be staying there for a short time while some strain will stay in the gut permanently. Some other strains will only pass through the small intestine and go out via the bowel. Each strain of probiotics chooses where they will be taking up residency, which could be dependent on the area’s oxygen levels, pH or acidity levels and the types of microbiome they meet or encounter.
What Happens When the Probiotics Reach the Gut Environment
Generally, the good bacteria quickly grows in numbers that will overpower any bad or pathogenic strains of bacteria in the areas. The probiotics will be competing for spaces in which to thrive and for food sources, whilst weeding out the bad bacteria in the process.
Furthermore, probiotics also create particular acids at levels that will curb the growth rate of pathogens. Such occurrences improve the gut flora of an individual and increases the number of good bacteria in their environment.
The results of a healthy gut environment due to increased levels of good bacteria are improved digestion, and wellbeing. A probiotic supplement named Flora spring contains five strains that stop the gut pathogens from releasing thytoxic substances that destroy a person’s health. The probiotic strain formulation work together to create substances that provide short-chain-fatty-acids, vitamins that improve the immune system and promotes weight loss by reducing the amount of cholesterol stored in fat cells.