With the onset of intense heat wave, many people are experiencing gastrointestinal problems. This week for the Health Talk, we connect with health experts, and it seems like probiotics are timely and quite advantageous for your digestive system. To know more, read ahead.
SHIKHA DUGGAL
The likelihood of heat-related health issues has increased along with the likelihood of more heat waves, one of which is now affecting a large portion of Hyderabad. Heat exhaustion, a frequent reaction to extreme heat, can cause symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and fainting. Rest, a cold atmosphere, and hydration—including replenishing electrolytes, which are essential for maintaining muscular and other bodily functions—are typically effective treatments for it. The Pioneer shares with you another aspect of this intense heat wave: many people are experiencing gastrointestinal problems as a result of the heat, which can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach aches. Probiotics seem to be quite advantageous for your digestive system since they maintain a balance of good bacteria! We were interested in learning more about this.
Functional medicine and health specialist Shivani Bajwa emphasises that probiotics are good bacteria and yeasts that are vital to our digestive systems. “Although bacteria are frequently thought of as harmful, some are actually helpful. Our eating patterns change in the summer, and we consume more cold, sweet foods and drinks that can upset our gut flora. Probiotics are a popular option in the summertime because they aid in reestablishing this equilibrium.”
Food is broken down for our bodies to use when it moves through our digestive tract during consumption. Probiotics help our bodies absorb nutrients from the food we eat by aiding in this breakdown process. This is especially true for complex substances like proteins that take longer to digest. Probiotics have the ability to change the pH of our colon, making it less conducive to the growth of dangerous bacteria. “Additionally, probiotics can help with IBS symptoms and diarrhea brought on by antibiotics. Probiotic supplements are widely accessible on the market. Align Probiotic Supplement, Garden of Life RAW Probiotics, and Culturelle Digestive Health Probiotic are a few of the top-rated products. A healthcare professional should always be consulted before beginning any supplement regimen. The effects of probiotics under different situations have been the subject of numerous investigations. Probiotics, for example, have been shown in a study that helps lower body weight and BMI. Probiotics have been shown in another study to alleviate the symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety and sadness,” shared the health specialist Shivani.
Strong drugs called antibiotics fight bacterial infections by either eradicating or stopping the growth of bacteria. Antibiotics, however, are unable to distinguish between beneficial and harmful bacteria. This implies that they end up getting rid of good bacteria in your stomach as well as the bad bacteria that are causing the ailment! The natural balance of bacteria in your gut is disrupted, which can cause side effects like bloating, upset stomach, and diarrhea. Probiotics can help in this situation. They can aid in reestablishing the normal balance of germs in your stomach when taken with antibiotics. They achieve this by replenishing the stomach with beneficial bacteria, which may aid in halting the spread of dangerous germs. This may lessen the incidence of adverse effects from antibiotics, such as diarrhea.
Nutritionist Nuupur Patil shared a few simple strategies you may do to take good care of your stomach and incorporate probiotics. Before that, she clarifies, “Since warmer weather frequently causes an increase in digestive issues like bloating and indigestion, probiotics are a trendy topic in the summer. In contrast to a placebo group, probiotic treatment dramatically decreased symptoms like gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort in one case study of people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).” Increase your water intake and mix with buttermilk and coconut water. Cool watermelon salads, ginger and celery juice, bael sherbet, and these other foods are excellent choices for managing inflammation and providing some relief from the summer heat. Increase your intake of fresh seasonal fruits and lots of green veggies. Avoid eating heavy and spicy foods. Essential nutrients and fiber are necessary to support the better functioning of your gut flora. Consume natural probiotics like yogurt and fermented food. It is better to opt for strain-specific supplements that have high CFUs and good encapsulation technology that improves bacteria survival rate in the gut.
Lastly, Dr. Nihar Parekh recommended, “It is important to choose probiotic supplements for kids, adults, and teenagers that include strains that have been particularly researched for how well they work to address certain health issues. Reputable probiotic supplements for kids might contain strains like Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, while adult probiotic supplements might be better for a wider variety of strains like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Generally speaking, taking probiotics with antibiotics is safe. By restocking beneficial bacteria that may have been diminished after antibiotic therapy, probiotics can aid in the restoration of this equilibrium. To minimise any potential impact with antibiotic absorption, probiotic and antibiotic doses must be spaced out.” Prebiotics have been shown in numerous case studies and clinical trials to be effective in enhancing gut health and general well-being. In the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, for example, a study found that supplementing newborns with prebiotics decreased their risk of respiratory infections and diarrhea. Furthermore, a review that was published in the British Journal of Nutrition discovered that prebiotics might benefit teenage metabolic health and weight management. These studies demonstrate how prebiotics can be an effective strategy for enhancing health in a variety of age groups.
