Multi-Biotics have been the talk of the town for a while now. The hype describes multi-biotics as a cure-all, whether you have weight issues, skin problems, or poor immunity. However, in this case, the hype is well-deserved. Multi-Biotics offer a number of benefits to people of all ages. As per the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the adult consumption of multi-biotics in 2012 was four times that of 2007. If you are wondering about the efficacy of multi-biotics and whether you need them, here is everything you need to know.

What are multi-biotics?

Everyone has live microorganisms in our gut, some good and some bad. For your digestive system to function at an optimum level, it is extremely important that the balance between these good and bad bacteria is maintained. Multi-Biotic supplements can help do just this. Essentially, multi-biotics are live microorganisms that can be introduced into the body for beneficial purposes. The research on the usage of multi-biotics for treatment or prevention of different health conditions suggests that certain strains of multi-biotics are indeed helpful.

Sources of multi-biotics

If you are looking for foods that naturally have multi-biotics, fermented foods are your best bet. Fermented foods like kimchi, tempeh, and sauerkraut as well as fermented dairy products like yogurt, buttermilk, kefir, and goat’s cheese are good sources of multi-biotics. You can also find multi-biotics in lower amounts in a few leafy greens or in a dietary supplement.

Popular strains of multi-biotics

When it comes to multibiotic supplements, remember that there are different strains. These strains differ in their potency as well as their health benefits. Some of the most popular strains of multi-biotics include:

• • Lactobacillus reuteri – One of the most studied multibiotic strains, L. reuteri naturally inhabits the human gut. Apart from strengthening the immune system, this bacteria is also known to hinder the growth of bad microbes in your gut. Along with aiding adults, research indicates that Lactobacillus reuteri may also be able to alleviate the symptoms of colic in infants.

Interested in learning more about multi-biotics for babies and how they relate to colic? Read our blog post on how to soothe your newborn from colic.

• Bifidobacterium longum – This bacterial strain is perhaps one of the first strains that an infant is exposed to during childbirth because it is present in the mother’s vagina. Along with keeping your gut healthy, this strain also helps you out by metabolizing carbohydrates.
• Lactobacillus acidophilus - Yet another strain from the lactobacillus family, this multibiotic strain is known for maintaining the balance between good and bad microbes in the gut. Research also suggests that L. acidophilus is somewhat effective in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Benefits of multi-biotics

As multi-biotics continue to grow in popularity it can be difficult to identify the most important reasons to add a multibiotic supplement to your diet. Here are some of the most common health benefits that multi-biotics can provide when added to your daily diet:

Strengthens your immune system

Research indicates that approximately 70% of the immune system is located in the gut. When you consume multi-biotics, the balance between good and bad gut microbe is maintained. To maintain this balance, the multi-biotics inhibit the growth of harmful microbes and stimulate the growth of beneficial microbes, which in turn helps regulate the antibodies in the gut.

Helps with your skin issues

Your overall gut health is closely related to your skin health. This is because your body will be able to absorb nutrients optimally and get rid of toxins only when your gut flora is balanced. Multi-Biotic consumption is believed to prevent skin issues like acne and eczema. One of the studies found that infants taking multi-biotics showed a significant improvement compared to the other group in terms of atopic eczema.

Helps in weight loss

A study found that obesity has a microbial component – people who are obese have around 70% less gut flora than people with a healthy body weight. The results of this study suggest that using multi-biotics to maintain your gut flora is likely to help you in losing weight. Yogurt, a fermented dairy product and a good source of multibiotic, has been shown to prevent age-associated weight gain.

Maintains gut microbe equilibrium after antibiotic usage

Antibiotics, by nature, target and kill bacteria. These drugs do not discriminate between good and bad bacteria. If you have been prescribed antibiotics, chances are that there is an imbalance between good and bad microbes in your gut. Consuming multi-biotics after you are off the medications, helps ensure that the balance of the gut flora is restored. This, in turn, can boosts your immune system and helps improve your overall health.

Improves certain mental health conditions

The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional connection between your gut and your mental functions. There is a lot of ongoing research to understand the intricacies of this relationship between the gut and the brain. Researchers from University College Cork have established a direct link between the gut microbe and mental health. In the book ‘The Psychobiotic Revolution’, researchers explore how gut microbes play an important role in dealing with mental health conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression.

Next Steps

Before you start taking multibiotic supplements, it is important to consult with your doctor. Your doctor will be better able to guide you on they types of multi-biotics that are right for you.

At LoveBug Multi-Biotics, you can find multi-biotics for your entire family including multi-biotics for women and even multi-biotics for babies. LoveBug Multi-Biotics are also renowned for their patented Bio-tract delivery system, which makes the multi-biotics 15 times more effective than other options available.

References

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