What probiotics are all about and what they are good for.

Especially nowadays, there is probably no other medical term that is as hyped in the public eye as... Probiotics. But what exactly are they? And what are these probiotics really good for? You'll find out all this in the following blog post.
Just so you know: Probiotics is simply the plural of probiotic (props to everyone who already knew that #thanksforLatin). But seriously now: Probiotics (from the Greek pro bios = 'for life') are live microorganisms (z.B. Probiotics are bacteria or fungi that multiply in the gut and provide health benefits to the host. This might sound a bit unpleasant at first, but it's quite the opposite: when probiotics reach our gut in sufficient quantities, it's associated with many health benefits.
However, not every "good" bacterium is a probiotic. Here are a few criteria that must be met for a bacterial strain (or strains) to be classified as a probiotic:

• Proof of a health-promoting effect
• Survival of passage through the stomach and ability to reproduce in the intestine
• Production of lactic acid and other substances with bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects
• Proof of genetic stability in order to rule out disease-causing mutations, i.e., changes.

The first contact with probiotic bacterial strains We are fortunate enough to already have this at birth. If this weren't the case, we would have immense health problems as children. In a normal birth, this occurs through the mother's vaginal flora; in a cesarean section, it occurs at the latest through the administration of breast milk (another reason why breast milk is so important).

What are probiotics good for?

Probiotics, which play a vital role in our survival as children, also provide fundamental support in adulthood. Allow us to introduce these perhaps previously underestimated little helpers in our gut:

1. They activate our immune response when our immune system is attacked (by stimulating the production of T cells).
2. They work against allergies, skin diseases and asthma by preventing our immune system from overreacting (to harmless foreign bodies).
3. They have an antibacterial effect.
4. They counteract food intolerances, because a healthy gut flora protects our intestinal lining and therefore prevents so-called... Leaky Gut before.
5. They reduce stress hormone levels by inhibiting the production of the stress hormone. Cortisol prevent (Less cortisol → Less perceived stress → Better health) & Well-being)

It's the mix that makes it:

Probiotics themselves offer numerous health benefits when consumed in the right amount. However, the best effect is achieved when a probiotic is combined with a prebiotic. This creates a synbiotic (from the Latin "syn," meaning together, joint). As the name suggests, a synbiotic has significantly better effects on our gut than a probiotic or prebiotic alone. Think of it this way: the "good" bacteria in our gut are the probiotics. But to work effectively and support your gut, they need energy. And that's precisely what they get from the prebiotics. These substances are essentially the food for the probiotics.By taking a synbiotic, you create the perfect conditions for the many little helpers in your gut!

Where are probiotics found?

Probiotics are found in some foods. Mother Nature hasn't completely let us down when it comes to probiotics and prebiotics; however, the concentration of bacteria in probiotic foods is much lower than in dietary supplements (often only one-hundredth). This concentration is measured in colony-forming units (CFU), which is a measure of the number of live microorganisms.
The best-known probiotic bacteria are lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, enterococci, and yeasts. These are found in foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and miso. Generally speaking, fermented foods usually contain probiotics.

Probiotic foodsl, are among others:

• Dairy products, such as: natural yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, cheese
• Fermented foodsl, such as: sauerkraut, kimchi, miso
• Apple cider vinegar and yeast

Prebiotic foods, These include:

• whole grain products, like pumpernickel, wholegrain bread
• Fruit, such as: apples and bananas
• Vegetables, such as: asparagus, artichoke, broccoli, salsify, chicory, onions, garlic
• Seeds and nuts, such as: flaxseed and psyllium seeds

We hope this blog post has given you an overview of probiotics and that you now understand how important these little helpers are for your gut. Because it's true, of course: Happy Gut, Happy You!