Probiotic: how can probiotics help you?

Naturally present in our digestive system, probiotics play a key role in our daily health.
Although this name has become very fashionable today, do you really know what a probiotic is?
In this article, we will review the definition of probiotic and also see what the benefits of these microorganisms are in the form of food supplements.

What is a probiotic?

The term probiotic comes from two Greek words, “pro” which translates to “in favor” and “biotikos” which means “life.” Probiotics are microorganisms that are naturally present in the human body.
In particular, it constitutes the oral, vaginal and intestinal flora.

Official definition of the World Health Organization

The concept of probiotics is relatively recent, having been postulated by the Russian Nobel Prize winner Ilya Ilyich Metchnikov in 1908. The current concept was defined by a British man, Roy Fuller, in the late 1980s.

According to the official definition of the WHO (World Health Organization), probiotics are " live microorganisms which, when ingested in sufficient quantities, exert positive effects on health, beyond nutritional effects ."

It should be noted that in the European Union and in France in particular, the term Probiotic is not accepted by the administrative authorities. The latter prefer to replace it with the term Lactic Ferments .
Two names for the same reality. Expert debates are underway on this secondary semantic question!

Billions of bacteria in our digestive tract

100,000 billion is the order of magnitude of the population of microorganisms that colonize our digestive tract when we are healthy.

Probiotics, conveniently referred to as “good bacteria,” play an essential role in many processes within the human body. In particular, they limit the proliferation of “bad bacteria.” They also contribute to digestion and our overall health.

The stable ecosystem formed by these microorganisms can be disrupted by an infection or medical treatment, for example. This results in various disorders such as diarrhea.

On a daily basis, the numerous additives and preservatives contained in our food and our environment also have a negative effect on the intestinal flora, especially when we consumeprepared or ultra-processed foods .

What are the benefits of probiotics?

Probiotics have many benefits and act on many mechanisms at the intestinal level:

• Prevention and treatment of traveler's or infectious diarrhea : in addition to rehydration, probiotics help relieve acute diarrhea , whether viral or caused by the bacteria Escherichia Coli.
• Prevention and treatment of constipation : in children, adults and seniors
• Relief from IBS symptoms : Also known as IBS, IBS causes bloating, pain, flatulence, and bowel disturbances. Research shows that IBS patients experience improvement after taking probiotics.
• Stimulation of the immune system : Numerous clinical studies have shown that the action of probiotics on the immune system is not limited to the digestive system alone. These microorganisms have a more global effect on immunity thanks to their stimulating action on the production of leukocytes (white blood cells). This action is also very important in children during growth. Furthermore, the production of white blood cells in the elderly can be stimulated by the consumption of probiotics.
• Prevention of certain chronic diseases : particularly in infants and children. Probiotics have been shown to have a beneficial effect on atopic eczema.

Probiotics are said to have other benefits for the body , particularly with regard to certain pathologies such as ulcerative colitis, colic in babies, vaginal infections, complications linked to antibiotic treatments or recurrences of pouchitis.

What foods contain probiotics?

As always, the secret to good health lies first and foremost in what you eat. A varied, balanced diet with a large proportion of minimally processed, homemade foods helps maintain your intestinal flora.

Among the foods rich in natural probiotics , we find first and foremost fermented products or those derived from fermentation:

• Yogurts and cheeses, with very variable proportions depending on their production method
• Prevention against certain chronic diseases, particularly in infants and children. Probiotics have been shown to have a beneficial effect on atopic eczema.
• Fermented vegetables including sauerkraut
• Fermented vegetables including sauerkraut
• Sourdough bread

However, it should be kept in mind that stomach acidity destroys the majority of these live lactic ferments . It is necessary to accompany them with a regular consumption of prebiotic fibers which will allow the proper development of probiotics in the intestine.

Food supplements rich in probiotics

Unbalanced diet, additives , medical treatment, the intestinal flora can be unbalanced and cause very unpleasant problems (bloating, flatulence, etc.).

A course of probiotic supplements can help you return to normal more quickly. These probiotic-rich supplements are also recommended as the bad weather approaches, which is conducive to illness.

Our Vegaflore formula, which combines Pre & Probiotics, has 3 remarkable qualities:

• It is one of the few vegan probiotics on the market , with 4 different ferments in significant quantity (10 billion bacteria)
• It combines prebiotic and probiotic . A prebiotic is any food or substance that helps intestinal bacteria develop by serving as a nutrient substrate. This is particularly the case for most dietary fibers.
• It is protected by a gastro-resistant capsule that does not open in the stomach to avoid damage from gastric acidity.

Argalys supplements are not a substitute for a healthier lifestyle. In addition to taking probiotic-rich food supplements , you should also choose a healthier, more varied diet and regular physical activity.