One of my first questions for new clients beyond sleep, water, and movement relates to supplements. I am always curious if clients are taking probiotics. 
Humans have enjoyed the benefits of probiotics since our very beginning. The bacteria in yoghurt, kefir, kimchi, miso, kombucha, and sauerkraut help our bodies digest foods by restoring our good bacteria.
Why would we need to restore the bacteria in our body in the first place? Our gut flora – the combination of good and bad microbes in our gastrointestinal track – is comprised of bacteria, yeasts, and viruses and is in balance when we are healthy. But when we are in a state of ill-ease, that balance becomes disrupted. The American diet is a primary culprit in gut flora disruption – high sugar, high fat, high salt, and lots of simple carbs – our system does not work efficiently. We feel sluggish, gain weight, need more caffeine to try to stay alert. We continue to push our bodies, putting more food into them for a compromised flora to process and do that year after year. The result is predictable: we get sick.
A probiotic works to reset this balance in our gut. Taken as live bacteria, probiotics can be found in food form or in supplement form. They work symbiotically with the movement of our gastrointestinal system to process and extract nutrients from our food while helping to expel wastes. These probiotics can:
- Reduce inflammation
- Boost immune function
- Reduce blood pressure
- Lower “bad” cholesterol
- Combat obesity
- Improve depression & anxiety
- Clear up skin issues such as acne, rosacea, and eczema.
Probiotics can also reduce the risk of many diseases, including:
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Heart Disease
- Colon Cancer
- Obesity
- Alzheimer’s Disease
You should always check with your doctor before you begin any kind of supplement program.
~Petra
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