What are probiotics? When is the most effective time to eat? Benefits and side effects of probiotics
Probiotics are a type of active microorganisms that are beneficial to human health. Common types include lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium. This article will explore the benefits, consumption methods, and possible side effects of probiotics to help everyone better understand how to take probiotics correctly.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are active microorganisms that are beneficial t... moreWhat are probiotics? When is the most effective time to eat? Benefits and side effects of probiotics
Probiotics are a type of active microorganisms that are beneficial to human health. Common types include lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium. This article will explore the benefits, consumption methods, and possible side effects of probiotics to help everyone better understand how to take probiotics correctly.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are active microorganisms that are beneficial to the human body. Peng Delan, a nutritionist at Taipei Municipal Guandu Hospital, pointed out that probiotics can enter the intestines in a live state and improve the intestinal microbial environment. In addition, probiotics can maintain digestive health, enhance immunity, and prevent constipation and diarrhea. The Fengyuan Hospital of the Ministry of Health and Welfare also pointed out that probiotics can improve allergic reactions.
Common types of probiotics <a href=https://healthport.tw/mannose>cranberry probiotics</a> include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Lactobacillus produces lactic acid by metabolizing sugars, while Bifidobacterium not only produces lactic acid but can also synthesize B vitamins.
The difference between probiotics, lactic acid bacteria and enzymes
Probiotics, enzymes and lactic acid bacteria are all common ingredients in health foods. Enzymes, also known as enzymes, can help break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins in food, making them easier for the human body to absorb and use.
Lactic acid bacteria metabolize sugars to produce lactic acid, which lowers the pH value of the intestine and inhibits the growth of bad bacteria. Chang Gung Medical News pointed out that most probiotics are lactic acid bacteria, which can improve the ecology of intestinal flora and regulate the immune system.
The efficacy of probiotics
1. Maintain the balance of intestinal flora: Taking an appropriate amount of probiotics can compete with harmful bacteria for space and nutrients in the intestine, thereby inhibiting bad bacteria. Taiwan's major hospital health e-newsletter pointed out that drinking yogurt 2 to 3 times a week can supplement probiotics.
2. Improve constipation and diarrhea: Intestinal problems such as constipation and diarrhea are a problem for many people. Lin Mingshen, a pharmacist at the Department of Pharmacy of Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, pointed out that some probiotic strains have been proven to improve these symptoms. However, probiotics need to be taken long-term to solve intestinal problems. If acute symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor before deciding whether to take probiotics or other drugs.
3. Enhance immunity: Probiotics can form a protective barrier in the intestines to prevent the invasion of harmful bacteria. Since most of the body's immune cells are concentrated in the intestines, the effects of probiotics help regulate and enhance the immune system.
4. Prevent private part infection: Women are more likely to get private part infection when the weather is hot or the clothes are not breathable. Lin Ziyin, director of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Women's and Children's Hospital of Taipei City, suggested that supplementing with probiotics can help reduce the chance of infection. At the same time, wearing breathable clothes and keeping the private parts dry are also essential measures.
Benefits of probiotics for babies
There are many probiotic products on the market designed specifically for babies and pregnant women. So can babies and pregnant women take probiotics?
1. Improve baby constipation: Probiotics can promote intestinal health, but if the baby has constipation problems, it still needs to be improved through dietary adjustments. Dr. Huang Yu-ning suggested that <a href=https://healthynature.tw/%E7%9B%8A%E7%94%9F%E8%8F%8C%E7%9A%84%E5%85%A8%E6%96%B9%E4%BD%8D%E7%9B%8A%E8%99%95>benefit of probiotics</a>, increasing the baby's dietary fiber intake is an effective way.
2. Reduce colic: Research by the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that probiotics can relieve your baby's colic, but there is no conclusive evidence to confirm this, so it should be used with caution.
3. Reduce the risk of allergies: A pediatric infectious disease physician at Mackay Children's Hospital explained that pregnant women taking probiotics can reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis in babies by about 20% to 30%, but it is difficult to prevent asthma or allergic rhinitis.
<a href=https://medvoyage.tw/%E8%94%93%E8%B6%8A%E8%8E%93%E6%8E%A8%E8%96%A6>Probiotics Benefits</a> Side Effects
Generally speaking, normal use of probiotics will not cause obvious side effects, but there are still some situations that need attention:
1. Indigestion: A small number of people may experience abdominal discomfort or bloating when taking probiotics because probiotics can stimulate gastrointestinal motility.
2. Allergic reaction: Some people may have an allergic reaction to certain probiotic strains, resulting in rashes or itching.
3. Drug resistance: Some probiotic species may promote the development of drug resistance, such as Enterococcus faecalis.
If you feel unwell while taking probiotics, you should stop taking it immediately and consult a doctor. Severely ill patients, immunocompromised children and children with short bowel disease are best to use probiotics under the guidance of a professional physician.
When is the most effective time to take probiotics? <a href=https://medvoyage.tw/%E8%94%93%E8%B6%8A%E8%8E%93%E6%8E%A8%E8%96%A6>When is the most effective time to take probiotics?
Probiotics should be taken 30 minutes before meals or with meals to help them be absorbed by the intestines. If probiotics are made with special technology and are resistant to gastric acid and bile, they can be taken at any time. Pregnant women can also start taking probiotics after 35 weeks of pregnancy, but they should choose products with simple ingredients.
Probiotics taboos
1. Avoid consuming it with high-temperature water: High-temperature water will kill probiotics. When taking it, the water temperature should be kept below 50 degrees Celsius. It is also not recommended to consume it with beverages such as coffee, milk, juice, and soda.
2. Avoid taking with antibiotics: Antibiotics should be taken at least 2 hours apart from probiotics, because antibiotics will kill all bacteria including probiotics.
3. Avoid fried foods and processed meats: These foods reduce the activity of probiotics.
<a href=https://healthpulse.tw/cranberry_recommendation>Probiotics Recommendation</a> How long should probiotics be taken?
The effectiveness of probiotics depends on personal health, the amount and strain of probiotics, and usually takes several weeks to several months to take effect. If probiotics are given to children, the recommended observation period is set at 2 months.
Cranberry_recommendation Probiotics Benefits Probiotics Selection Principles
1. Additive ingredients: Choose products that do not contain too many additives to avoid excessive sugar intake.
2. Number of probiotics: The best number of probiotics is 1 billion to 10 billion.
3. Probiotic strains: The number of strains that children should take should not exceed 4.
4. Strain number: Different strains have different functions, choose the strain that suits your needs.
Natural probiotics sources
Many foods are natural sources of probiotics. After fermentation, they are rich in probiotics, which help maintain intestinal health.
1. Miso: Made from soybeans, salt and rice koji, it contains probiotics and is rich in protein, minerals and vitamin E.
2. Kimchi: Rich in lactic acid bacteria, it helps digestion, but you need to pay attention to the sodium content.
3. Yogurt and yogurt: Made from cow's milk or raw milk fermented with lactic acid bacteria, but not recommended for children under 1 year old.
4. Natto: Made from fermented soybeans, it contains Bacillus natto, which helps maintain the balance of intestinal flora.
I hope the above information can help you have a more comprehensive understanding of the role of probiotics and how to take probiotics correctly.