• Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Change Mailing Address
    • Surveys
    • Guidelines for Authors
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Editorial Deadlines
  • Practice
    • Business Tips
    • Chiropractic Schools
    • Clinical & Technique
    • eBooks
    • eCourses
    • Infographics
    • Quizzes
    • Wellness & Nutrition
    • Personal Growth
    • Podcast
  • Resource Centers
  • Products & Services
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Products Directory
    • Submit a Product
    • Vendor Login
  • Datebook
    • Become an Events Poster
    • Post an Event
    • View Events
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
  • Advertise
    • Advertising Information
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Upload Advertising

Your Online Chiropractic Community

Chiropractic Economics Your Online Chiropractic Community
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • News
  • Webinars
  • Chiropractic Research
  • Students
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Why are probiotics good for you?

Tina Beychok July 11, 2016

Probiotics

Let’s face it—we live in a fast-paced world.

Whether it’s internet access, mobile communications, or food, we’ve been conditioned to believe that faster is better. While it may be difficult to argue against faster internet or mobile communications access, there’s a significant body of research that argues against fast food as being healthy or nutritious.1 Nevertheless, more and more Americans are lining up to eat at McDonald’s and Burger King.

The practical upshot for all of those Big Macs and Whoppers that are consumed is that you are probably seeing an increasing number of patients coming to see you with a primary complaint of some type of GI complaint, including gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.2

While you certainly can treat any immediate symptoms, you may want to consider talking to your patients about the overall health benefits of adding probiotics to their daily vitamin and supplement regimen.

What are probiotics?

In the simplest possible terms, probiotics are live bacteria that the body naturally produces and are beneficial for proper digestion.3 They are considered “good bacteria” because of this.

There are several types of probiotics, but the two most popular are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These bacteria are often found in dairy products such as yogurt and certain fermented cheeses, soy products, and fermented vegetables such as kimchi (Korean fermented cabbage). Probiotics also come in the form of a supplement pill.

How do probiotics work?

Under normal circumstances, probiotics keep a balance among both the good and bad bacteria in the human gut.3 They do this by helping move food through the digestive tract. Unfortunately, if your patients develop a bacterial infection or adverse reactions to eating too much processed fast food, this balance is upset in favor of the bad bacteria. This can lead to diarrhea, cramping, gas, and bloating. Probiotics can most commonly help with the following GI issues:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Infectious diarrhea (from viruses, bacteria, or parasites)
  • Antibiotic-related diarrhea2-3

However, probiotics may also have a protective effect if they are taken as part of a daily vitamin and supplement regimen. In essence, probiotics work to boost the body’s immune system to protect it against:

  • Skin conditions (such as eczema)
  • Urinary and vaginal infections
  • Allergies and colds
  • Oral health2-3

In today’s hectic world, a balanced diet is often one of the first things we sacrifice. Unfortunately, this can often lead to a host of GI problems. While you should certainly encourage your patients to improve their diet, suggesting probiotic supplements will also go a long way toward helping them feel better at a gut level.

References

  1. 2013 Fast Food Facts. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Accessed 7/9/2016.
  2. Boston G. Probiotics’ benefits go beyond digestion. Washington Post Accessed 7/9/2016.
  3. What are probiotics? Web MD. Accessed 7/9/2016.
  4. Reardon S. Gut-brain link grabs neuroscientists. Nature 2014, 515(7526), 175-177.

Related Posts

  • Don’t worry, be happy: CoQ10 for anxiety and depressionDon’t worry, be happy: CoQ10 for anxiety and depression
  • The science behind digestive food enzyme supplementsThe science behind digestive food enzyme supplements
  • The difference between probiotics and natural digestive enzymesThe difference between probiotics and natural digestive enzymes
  • Leaving on a jet plane: Probiotics for travelersLeaving on a jet plane: Probiotics for travelers
  • New research reveals why Americans need immune system supplementsNew research reveals why Americans need immune system supplements
  • What are the best vitamins for vitamins for older patients?What are the best vitamins for vitamins for older patients?

Filed Under: Nutritional Supplements, Resource Center

Current Issue

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube logoYouTube logoYouTube

820 A1A N Highway W18,

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Phone 904.285.6020

Fax 904.395.9118

CONTACT US »

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Copyright © 2021, All Rights Reserved

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE

Get Chiropractic Economics magazine
delivered to your home or office. Just
fill out our form to request your FREE
subscription for 20 issues a year,
including two annual Buyers Guides.

SUBSCRIBE NOW »

Latest Chiropractic News

  • Upcoming April chiropractic workshops/conferences
  • Parker University announces technology partnerships for cutting-edge touch tables, software
  • Chiropractor wrestler attempts Olympic qualification, starts fundraising campaign