Natural Probiotic Supplements, Foods, Herbs and Yogurt Recipes

What are the best sources of natural probiotics to improve digestion, immunity and health?

Probiotics aren’t just found in capsules, powders and pills. Mammals take in natural probiotic bacteria every day through the foods we eat and drink, and the objects with which we come in contact.

As these natural helpers travel the path through our digestive systems, we reap a number of beneficial effects from their natural processes.

Health conscious individuals often add foods known to be high in natural probiotic microorganisms to their daily diets. What are these foods and why are they especially good for us?

Bacteria and fungi can be either harmful or helpful once they enter the body of a mammal. Bacteria which produce a beneficial effect on a mammal, when taken in adequate amounts, is considered to be probiotic.

Probiotics

Digestive Supplement

Gut Health

Digestion

Immune Function

How It Works:

• Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
• Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
• Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism

Dosage:

Between 1 - 10 Billion CFUs per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

Top Probiotics Products* ❯

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Probiotics and the Digestive System

Natural probiotic bacteria are not foreign to our bodies, but instead are found living naturally within our gastrointestinal system, vagina and mouth. These bacteria keep our systems in balance and assure that our digestive processes are in good working order.

When disrupted, whether by illness, stress, or antibiotic treatment, a state of imbalance can result. The body automatically attempts to bring things back to order, but when the imbalance persists; even this process can potentially cause problems.

Over 70% of our immune system is located within the GI tract.

When the immune system is alerted to the dysbiosis and any damage which may be occurring due to overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, immune response and function can go awry and possibly result in autoimmune type conditions.

Supplements of probiotics offer large quantities of these friendly helpers. Large supplemental amounts are necessary when a disruption has occurred or if there is an ongoing imbalance, but for a regular daily regimen, many people choose to help their gut microflora stay in check by eating foods naturally high in these helpful probiotic bacteria and fungi.

Natural Probiotic Foods

Fermented foods are usually high in probiotic bacterial agents. The fermentation process is how foods and sugars are broken down by the microorganisms.

These fermentative microbes are good for us and work to maintain a good balance in our gut microflora. To be viable, these bacteria must be alive and healthy, meaning fermented foods (like yogurt or milk) which have been pasteurized are not considered to have probiotic properties.

Look for these natural probiotics in your local supermarket:

Miso Soup: This fermented soybean paste contains over 160 different bacteria strains. It is high in B-vitamins and antioxidants, while delivering a lot of flavor with a low calorie count.

Pickles: Not just any pickle, but pickles which have been naturally fermented, typically with sea salt and water, are good sources of probiotics. Pickles which have been fermented using vinegar do not typically confer probiotic effects.

Tempeh: This fermented soybean paste is frequently confused with tofu and yet they are as different as yogurt and cheese! Tofu is made by coagulating soy milk and then pressing the resulting curds into compact bricks.

Tempeh, on the other hand, is made by combining whole cracked soybeans with a particular fungus which ignites the fermentation process. This process reduces the oligosaccharides which often make beans difficult for people to digest.

The fermentation process also increases the absorption of zinc, iron and calcium from the beans. Although soy products, in general, are not good to eat on a regular basis, fermented soy products are considered very healthy and beneficial.

As a natural probiotic food, tempeh is extremely versatile and healthy.

Sourdough Bread and Pancakes: Sourdough contains lactobacillus bacteria which aids in digestive processes in general.

Soft Cheeses: Some soft cheeses, particularly Gouda, have been shown to be high in probiotic bacteria, as well as being a decent delivery method for probiotics as they move through the acidic digestive tract.

Yogurt: Thanks to companies like Dannon, yogurt has become a well-known method of probiotic supplementation. Eating at least three servings of this tasty food each day can provide enough additional Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium naturally to help maintain a healthy digestive tract.

Some yogurts use a type of starter strain which could increase food transit time (from mouth to elimination), decrease diarrhea or constipation, and help regulate bowel episodes.

Sauerkraut: When purchased from the refrigerated section, sauerkraut can be a powerhouse of natural probiotics. Unpasteurized sauerkraut contains the probiotics leuconostoc, pediococcus, and lactobacillus.

These helpful bacteria work to balance the gut flora, fight off pathogenic microorganisms and aid with digestion, in general. Another type of sauerkraut with a spicy twist is a popular Korean dish known as kimchi.

Conclusion

Natural probiotics are found in many common everyday foods.

There probably isn’t enough quantity of organisms in these probiotic whole foods to restore a digestive tract which has become imbalanced, but eating foods with natural probiotics in them can help keep an already healthy digestive tract in optimal order.

If you find that you need a more powerful dose of probiotics to address your health concerns, supplements may be a better alternative.

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