The health benefits of a diet rich in probiotics makes it a good choice for everyone, but especially for women over the age of 50.
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We hear so much about probiotics these days that it can be difficult to figure out what is true and what is better ignored. The fact of the matter is that there are some great benefits to taking either a probiotic supplement on a daily basis, or from increasing the amount of probiotic content in your diet.
As we become a little older, it becomes even more important to focus on overall health and wellbeing.
Unfortunately, with advancing years, we are susceptible to age-related conditions, so the more we do to prevent against them, the better. Eating a heathy diet and getting plenty of exercise is a first step, but probiotic supplements might also be a good choice.
If you’re not sure whether probiotics are for you, here are three reasons why every woman over 50 years of age should consume probiotics.
Reason 1: Improved Gut Health
The number one benefit of taking probiotics is without a doubt improved gut health. The entire digestive system contains good bacteria and bad bacteria, and when that balance is thrown out of whack, there is a far higher chance of stomach disturbances, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, excess gas, and stomach pain. In addition, there are certain conditions which can occur, such as IBS and inflammatory bowel disease, when the situation remains out of balance over a long period of time.
By taking a regular probiotic supplement, or by increasing the amount of probiotic content within your diet, you can help to balance out this good versus bad bacteria, and therefore reduce the chances of disturbances. When you feel under the weather due to a stomach upset, your entire mood is affected. Studies have shown that as the aging process takes hold, there is an impact on the bacterial balance within your gut. The more you do to balance this out and create a better environment, the less chance you have of developing problems.
Reason 2: Improved Immune System Function
Almost three quarters of your immune system is found within your digestive system. For that reason alone, ensuring quality and smooth function within this area is vital for overall health and wellbeing.
You don’t need to be a brain surgeon to realize that if you have a good balance of healthy bacteria fighting the bad, you’re going to be less susceptible to common colds, influenza outbreaks, and general viruses. This is especially true as the winter months take hold, as many studies have shown.
Reason 3: Improved Brain Health
The third reason is improved brain health. Of course, there are certain conditions which are age-related when it comes to the brain and memory. These are things which nobody really wants to think about or consider, but if you want to be healthy and ensure that you remain as active as possible, this is something you need to focus on. We all know that eating omega 3 fatty acids within your diet helps to boost brain health; it may even help to reduce the chances of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Studies have shown that there is a direct link between the brain and the gut. There are some who consider the gut to actually be the body’s second brain since around 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut. The brain also directly affects the gut, especially when there is a stressful event going on, which is why you may experience a stomach upset. Conversely, conditions such as IBS may also cause bouts of anxiety or even depression. For that reason, ensuring a healthy environment in the gut also means that your brain is firing on a healthier level.
Choosing the Right Probiotic
You have two main options here: (1) you can go with a diet increase of probiotic content, or (2) you can opt for a daily supplement. The choice is yours, but you should be aware that the types of foods which contain high amounts of probiotics may not be that easy to incorporate into your diet on a daily basis.
Yogurt is one option, and that is very easy, but nobody is really sure how much probiotic content is considered the right amount! There needs to be far more studies into how probiotics work and the right dosage.
For now however, increasing your probiotic content is far better than nothing.
If you find that it’s too difficult to add foods like sauerkraut, fermented foods, traditional buttermilk, yogurt, etc. into your regular dietary intake, then a supplement is a good option for you. In this case, shop around to find the best choice for you. The health supplement world is not regulated and that means that reading reviews and doing your research is more important than ever before. Complete Probiotics Platinum by 1MD is a great starting point. This is one of the highest rated probiotic supplements in the market with a high CFU count and good level of strain diversity.
The first step, however, is to talk to your doctor. Health is vital at any time of life, but as you reach the 50+ mark, it’s important to check that you don’t have any contraindications for taking a regular probiotics supplement, or any type of supplement. There isn’t enough research into whether there are any real contraindications or not, but your doctor will be able to give you the most up to date medical advice on either side.
Overall, probiotics are a great choice — regardless of whether or not you’re over 50 —but in this age bracket, it’s even more important to look after your overall health and well-being. Provided you do your research and find the right probiotic strains for you, there is every chance that you will reap the benefits and notice a major boost in the way you feel.
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