What Is Probiotic?

Do you think probiotic is good for our digestive system?

The answer is, YES! Probiotics are live bacteria that are good for our guts and digestive system. There are two types of bacteria, one is the “good” and the other is the “bad” bacteria. Probiotics are often called the “good” or “helpful” bacteria because it protects our guts from other foreign substances, keeping it healthy.

Do You Know How Probiotics Work?
When you lose the “good” bacteria in your body, probiotics will help to restore and replenish them. Probiotics can help to balance the “good” and the “bad” bacteria in your body for them to work properly (1).

What Are the Types of Probiotics?
The two famous probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

Lactobacillus probiotics are the most common probiotic. It can be found in yogurt and other fermented products.
Bifidobacterium is another probiotic that you can find in dairy products. This probiotic can help to ease the symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

What Do Probiotics Do?
Apart from helping to maintain a good environment in our guts, probiotics are also good for treating certain body conditions.


Some other conditions probiotics help to treat are:
     • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – a type of condition that affects your large intestine
     • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – a type of condition that involves chronic inflammation in your digestive tract
     • Diarrhoea (caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites)

Do You Think We Need Probiotics?
Probiotics are generally thought to be safe for consumption, though some people with serious health conditions should avoid consuming it. Thus, it is best to consult your doctor prior to taking the probiotics (1).


Some people may experience stomachache, diarrhoea, excess gas, and bloatedness when consuming probiotics for the first time. In some cases, it may even trigger allergic reactions. If you are experiencing any of the above-mentioned conditions, stop taking them and consult your doctor (1).

References:
1. Kechagia, M., Basoulis, D., Konstantopoulou, S., Dimitriadi, D., Gyftopoulou, K., Skarmoutsou, N., & Fakiri, E. M. (2013). Health Benefits of Probiotics: A Review. ISRN Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.5402/2013/481651