Bacteria often get a bad rep in the health world. Not all bacteria are bad, however. Many don’t realize that good bacteria exist in our body and should be promoted, not repressed or killed.
One way to support good bacteria is through probiotics, which come in an array of forms. There are common misconceptions surrounding probiotics. Here are five de-bunked myths about them:
Myth #1: Avoid microbes at all cost
Wrong! There is a stigma surrounding microbes, a type of bacterial microorganism found in each and every one of us. That’s right, our bodies contain millions of microbes, 99% of which are beneficial to our health. By taking probiotics, you are actually supporting your microbes, your body’s healthy bacteria.
Click here to learn more about microbes and how they benefit you.
Myth #2: All probiotics do the same thing
Each type of probiotic contains a strain, a specific characteristic that defines what that probiotic does.
For example, B. longum is a probiotic strain that promotes a healthy immune system overall and neutralizes everyday toxins found in the stomach. Another probiotic strain, L. casei focuses on controlling diarrhea and lowers the pH levels in the gut.
Each of these probiotic strains – and more – is beneficial to the body as a whole. They each simply target a different part of the body in various ways.
Myth #3: You shouldn’t take probiotics while on antibiotics
On the contrary, taking probiotics while taking antibiotics is highly recommended!
While antibiotics attack bad bacteria, they unfortunately kill off good bacteria, too. That’s where probiotics come in to help. Eating foods rich in probiotics, taking probiotic supplements or using skincare with probiotic ingredients can help balance the damage to good bacteria done by antibiotics.
To learn more about how to balance probiotics and antibiotics, click here!
Myth #4: Yogurt is the best source of probiotics
While some yogurt is full of probiotics that promote health and good bacteria, not every brand of yogurt is rich in probiotics.
If you’re going to buy probiotic yogurt, be sure to thoroughly check the packaging. Some yogurts will claim they have a good probiotic count but are mostly a compilation of sugar, sugar and more sugar. We recommend Activia, Yoplait or Stonyfield, all of which are full of vitamins and probiotics.
Myth #5: The only helpful probiotics are the ones you ingest
While foods rich in probiotics are an asset for your health, they are not the only way to receive the probiotics you need. For instance, all of our products at BioEsse are full of healthy probiotics and all-natural ingredients. Our goal is to promote the microbiome and maintain a healthy balance for your body’s unique, natural ecosystem.
Take a look at our list of probiotic skincare products, made with all-natural ingredients that promote your overall health. Remember that in all things, balance is key! Be mindful of the probiotics entering your body and remember the health benefits behind them.
