Improve your immune system with probiotics

Maintaining healthy gut flora is important for digestive wellness and immune system balancing.  Your gastrointestinal tract is responsible for digesting food, assimilating nutrients to power your body, and also maintaining a balance of good bacteria that enable you to fight off pathogens.

Throughout time, most cultures have developed their own special forms of fermented foods to support digestive wellness.  Take advantage of beneficial bacteria in yogurt or cultured / pickled vegetables, and consider the use of probiotic supplements to support immune health since prepared foods alone may not provide sufficient amounts.

What are the easiest and best sources?

Cultured Vegetables

Pickled, cultured or fermented foods like sauerkraut can be sources of good bacteria if they are properly prepared and packaged.  Look in the refrigerated section of a natural foods store.  On the label, you should see an indication that there are active cultures in the jar.  A good brand is Bubbies.

Yogurt and Kefir

Yogurt is often recommendation by physicians and may be useful for many conditions, but the type of yogurt consumed as well as your digestive system status are important to consider.  Most yogurts contain a lot of sugar to balance the naturally sour taste.  Look closely at the sugar grams on your yogurt label.  Since sugar feeds candida and lowers your immune system, you are better off choosing plain yogurt and using a light amount of fruit to sweeten it.  Kefir is a fermented milk product, much like pourable yogurt.  Both are available in dairy and coconut-based versions.

Probiotic Supplements

Always choose probiotics that have been stored in the refrigerated section since good bacteria are not shelf-stable.  Check with your healthcare professional about effective brands, probiotic strains and dosage that are right for you.

Supporting your system with good bacteria, and ensuring that you are not suffering from an overgrowth of bad bacteria or fungal infections like candida, is one of the keys to keeping yourself well over the coming months.  

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