Many common health problems, such as stress and anxiety, poor sleep quality, and even skin health, stem from poor digestive health. The digestive system contains its ecosystem that’s home to bacteria called the gut flora. Most of these bacteria are helpful, but when the ecosystem gets disrupted, it can cause harmful bacteria to thrive instead, causing an imbalance.
That’s where probiotics come in! Probiotics live naturally in the body, but sometimes you need an extra dose to get a boost of friendly bacteria in the gut. The trick is knowing the signs that indicate when you might need that boost, either through probiotic-rich foods or supplements.
Read on to learn about the benefits of probiotics for women and the four signs that indicate your body might need them.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are friendly bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract that help your digestive system function at its best. They are also found naturally in supplements, foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, miso, kimchi, kombucha, pickles, and certain cheeses, including cottage cheese. Probiotics help the digestive system digest foods and break down fiber to increase nutrient intake and nutrients that can be difficult to metabolize, such as lactose. These good bacteria compete against harmful bacteria found in the gut that can put your health at risk, preventing them from settling in the gastrointestinal tract.
Apart from helping to support digestion, probiotics also provide many other benefits to the body, such as destroying toxins, boosting new blood vessels, promoting nerve function, and aiding nutrient absorption. They also support the immune system and manage inflammation.
It is important to note that not all probiotic supplements are the same, and they can contain different strains to help with various needs.
Signs that indicate that you might need probiotics
1. You frequently experience vaginal infections
Vaginas naturally host microorganisms and helpful bacteria. However, a disturbance to this ecosystem can lead to vaginal infections. If you are experiencing recurrent vaginal infections, it’s likely a result of an imbalance of yeast and bacteria in the gut. It is a clear sign that you would benefit from a good probiotic. Yeast, in particular, flourishes when you don’t have a good balance of bacteria, which leads to an overgrowth of candida (a fungal infection) in both the gut and v----a.
Signs of thrush (a yeast infection) include itching and pain alongside an unpleasant odor and discharge and a burning sensation during urination. Having a vaginal imbalance can also increase the likelihood of urinary tract infections (UTIs); however, studies have shown that regularly taking probiotics can help reduce the frequency in which they are experienced.
2. You have constant sugar cravings
It’s normal to crave sweet food now and then, but if you can’t seem to keep away from them, it could be a sign that you need some probiotics. What you crave can depend on the type of bacteria you have in your gut, and constantly craving something sweet means that there could be a problem with your gut flora balance.
All bacteria need fuel to survive and enjoy different types of food; however, harmful bacteria thrive off unhealthy simple sugars and processed foods, meaning that if harmful bacteria have taken over your gut, you will crave more sugar. Taking probiotics balances out the bad bacteria and causes the cravings to decrease.
3. You are having sleeping problems, or you are suffering from a mood disorder.
Most people don’t know that gut health can affect sleep quality. The hormone serotonin (responsible for your sleep) is made in the gut, meaning that poor gut health can lead to poor sleep. As a result, the body increases its stress response, causing inflammation in the stomach, which leads to bloating, discomfort, food sensitivities, and gas. If you have noticed that you suffer from sleep deprivation, you should consider taking a daily probiotic.
Likewise, if you are suffering from anxiety or depression or are generally experiencing high-stress levels, it could be due to the overgrowth of bad gut bacteria. Consistently taking probiotics can help to rebalance gut flora, improving your mood and the functioning of neurotransmitters. Also, You can do some exercise to cope with anxiety, depression, and sleep deprivation. Learn about “6 exercise tips” to reduce these health issues.
4. You suffer from a bowel disorder.
One of the most apparent signs of an unbalanced gut microbiome includes various bowel disorders such as bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. Probiotic supplements can help treat all major bowel issues and are even considered an excellent, natural treatment for irritable bowel syndrome.
Bloating is one of the first signs that the bacteria in your gut are out of balance. Bloating happens when the gastrointestinal tract is filled with air or gas and can leave your stomach feeling tight, swollen, and painful, suggesting that the digestive system is not functioning optimally. To help prevent belly bloat, try using a well-researched probiotic to help break down your food more efficiently and support bloat management.
Constipation is prevalent, affecting around 16% of people globally, and can be challenging to treat. Constipation causes food to move slowly through the digestive tract, leaving the colon to absorb too much water, resulting in waste that is hard, dry, and difficult to push out. If you suffer from chronic constipation, try adding a probiotic to your daily supplements.
Diarrhea that does not result from food poisoning or the stomach flu indicates a lack of friendly bacteria and can worsen your gut health, causing any remaining friendly bacteria to exit via the colon. Replenishing your gut with probiotic supplements and probiotic-rich foods in your diet, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi, is crucial when suffering from acute or chronic diarrhea.
To conclude
Probiotics are friendly bacteria that help the digestive system to function at its best. They can be taken as a supplement or found naturally in foods such as kefir, kombucha, and yogurt. While probiotics can’t solve all your health problems, they provide many long-term health benefits, such as supporting the immune system and managing inflammation. Some signs that you would benefit from probiotics include lack of sleep, poor mental health, poor vaginal health, bowel disorders, and constant sugar cravings resulting from poor digestive health.
