
Pretty much everyone knows what probiotics are thanks to those Activia yogurt commercials. At least a general idea anyway. You know that they help your digestion with healthy bacteria. Which is all very true but you might not know is that they help your immune system too. Technically this is still up for debate but considering your gut is home to the majority of your immune system it's very likely.
Many people including myself take probiotics to try to help constipation. My thought is if my insides have the right amount of good bacteria maybe things will progress more often. That's my hope anyway.
Many probiotics contain the good bacteria Lactobacillus (there are many strains of this with different names) which has been known to help diarrhea and other digestion problems. However, some people can have side effects of probiotics. I have not experienced any side effects myself but it doesn't hurt to know what they are. Especially since currently there isn't a very high quality control standard on probiotics yet.
Side Effects of Probiotics
The most common side effects of probiotics are gas and bloating. In rarer cases people with a weakened immune system due to things like HIV/Aids or a recent organ transplant might be more likely to have the bacteria grow too well. To be safe if you have any major health condition, are pregnant, could become pregnant, or nursing talk to you doctor before using a probiotic. That key step could help prevent any unwanted side effects of probiotics.
At the current moment I have no concern about taking a probiotic. In fact, I use them everyday unless it happens to slip my mind.
My current probiotic is Microbiome Plus+ GI . It's different than other probiotics I've tried because it contains two pills. One pill is a probiotic that contains 3.5 billion CFU of Lactobacillus Reuteri and the other is a prebiotic fiber that contains 600mg of scFOS.
I know you're thinking “scFOS?”. scFOS stands for short-chain fructooligosaccharide which essentially is it is food for the healthy bacteria. This was my first time taing a prebiotic but I think it totally makes sense if you're also taking a probiotic. You want the good bacteria to thrive not starve and die off. The bacteria isn't any use if it's dead. And on the plus side prebiotics can actually reduce the side effects of probiotics like gas and bloating too. scFOS can naturally be found in foods like garlic, onions, beans, and more. So if you are taking a probiotic and not a prebiotic you might want to stock up on some of these foods. Luckily, Microbiome Plus+ Gastrointestinal is ahead of the game.
I have been taking Microbiome Plus+ Gastrointestinal for a few weeks now with no side effects. A side effect as mild as gas or bloating wouldn't even top my radar especially when you think of commercials that list medication side effects. Some of those are crazy!
The Microbiome Plus+ Gastrointestinal pills have a slight taste when swallowing them but nothing that doesn't go away as soon as they are down your throat. The probiotic is in capsule form so you can sprinkle it into food or drink if you like but the prebiotic is in tablet form so it has to be swallowed. Microbiome Plus+ Gastrointestinal comes with a months supply for around $30.
The makers of Microbiome Plus+ Gastrointestinal say:
Weight-loss research suggests that healthy microflora in the gut can speed your metabolism and support fat loss. Fatburning is more than just an exercise routine. For healthy weight loss, give your body the probiotic support it needs.
Poor nutrient absorption can leave you short on essential vitamins and minerals. Fatigue, irritability, and a lack of motivation are signs of nutrient deficiency. Probiotics develop a healthy microenvironment in the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract that optimizes nutrient absorption, giving you the positive energy and happy feelings to be your vibrant self.
You should take Microbiome Plus+ Gastrointestinal twice a day with a meal. Please also hydrate yourself well. I believe this helps a lot of things too. To try Microbiome Plus+ Gastrointestinal for yourself please check them out on Amazon.
Have you heard of a prebiotic?
Nice review! So, do you think you’ll keep taking them? I’ve been taking the same brand of probiotics for years now, but it never hurts to explore options.
Hi Keisha! I’m not sure. I know I’ll probably keep taking some kind of probiotic in general. Can you tell a difference with these?