The best probiotics for women depends on the person’s health goals because different bacteria do different things.For example, bifidobacterium and lactobacillus may help with gut health.
This article discusses what probiotics for women are and some of the best types for females to try.
What areprobiotics?
Aprobiotic is a live microorganism that may benefit a person when consumed inthe right amounts. According to an article in Advanced Nutrition, probiotics mainly consist of bacteria, but some yeasts couldalso be probiotic.
Probioticslive throughout the body and are especially prevalent in the digestive tract,where they may inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms. Gut bacteria alsohave many other functions, including supplying essential nutrients.
Imbalancesin bacteria happen for several reasons, including:
- chronic illness
- a side effect of taking antibiotics
- diet
Probiotics supplement the natural beneficial bacteria in the body, potentially improving health. But research on the effectiveness of probiotics treating various illnesses is not conclusive.
Somestudies suggest that probiotics may help with conditions suchas:
- antibiotic-related diarrhea
- obesity
- IBS
- atopic dermatitis
When choosing a probiotic, look out for the specific strain of bacteria that the probiotic contains rather than the brand name, as different strains serve different functions.
Experts note that Lactobacillus species may help alleviate symptoms of antibiotic-related diarrhea. Other probiotics, such as Saccharomyces boulardii CNCMI-745 or a mixture of L. helveticus R52 and L. rhamnosus, could ease the side effects of the medicine that treats H. pylori stomach infections.
People seeking a probiotic should research the strains of bacteria that are best for their condition then choose a probiotic that contains a high number of thosestrains.
Mostprobiotic manufacturers measure bacteria count according to colony-forming units, or CFU. A higher CFU number means the product contains more bacteria.
Probioticsfor digestive health
Healthy gut bacteria feed on fiber and some otherprebiotic foods, so eat a diet rich in high-fiber foods such as fruits andvegetables.
To improve digestion, choose probiotics supplement known to support gut health, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria species.The L. rhamnosus GGstrain, in particular, has many protective factors that maybenefit gut health, for example, inhibiting the growth of somesalmonella bacteria.
