Taking probiotics is beneficial to most people, but probiotics for women may have special importance.
Women are 2 to 6 times more likely to experience irritable bowel syndrome than men, and inflammatory bowel disease is diagnosed in women at a 2: 1 ratio compared to men.With this in mind, it may be more urgent for women to worry about themselves. health We will do everything we can to diversify our internal microflora and make it work well.
Women have a vaginal flora, similar to the intestinal flora that we all have. It also requires a delicate balance to stay healthy and function properly.some Probiotics It is specially designed to support general immunity and intestinal health as well as vaginal health and fertility.
Read on to find out everything you know about probiotics, and their particular importance to women.
What are probiotics? Why do you need them?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be consumed as supplements or as part of the diet of fermented foods such as kimchi and probiotics yogurt.
They support a population of beneficial microorganisms that are already inhabiting our body, even in the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and even the inner walls of the vagina.
“Probiotics are a combination of live and beneficial bacteria, or yeasts, that are endemic to the gut flora,” explains Christie Dean, a nutritionist and gut health specialist. Suddenly bloom (Opens in a new tab).. “They are made up of good bacteria that keep us healthy and healthy and help maintain a balance of bacteria that can be out of sync due to illness or illness.”
Probiotics can support proper immune function.one 2019 study (Opens in a new tab) We have shown that a healthy gut microbiota can reduce the permeability of the gut wall, which can prevent bad microorganisms from migrating through the gut wall into the bloodstream.
Dean adds that probiotics can be a powerful ally to prevent infections and support sick people. “There is increasing evidence to suggest that taking probiotics of a particular strain can treat or prevent some illnesses, to name a few, due to diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and Clostridium difficile. There is potential benefit to infections, inflammatory bowel disease, and vaginal infections. “
Benefits of probiotics for women
So what special benefits can women get from taking probiotics?
Vaginal health and fertility
the study (Opens in a new tab) Several strains of Lactobacillus, a particular type of probiotic found in most probiotic foods, have shown that they may be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of vaginal infections. Bacterial vaginosis can be particularly problematic as it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and pregnancy complications. A healthy vaginal biome is an important factor in successful pregnancy and infant health. the study (Opens in a new tab) The baby’s first gastrointestinal microbes suggest that they are “sown” when extruded through the birth canal.
Dean encourages the use of oral probiotics for vaginal health. “Probiotics are particularly well-suited for vaginal health because they balance the vaginal microbiotics that are prone to yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and urogenital infections,” she says. “There are certain strains that have been studied and used in this area and have very beneficial effects.”
Immunity
Urinary tract infections are much more common in women than in men because of the close proximity of the vaginal opening and anus. This increases the likelihood that the vagina will be cross-contaminated as follows: E. coli Bacteria from the rectum. the study (Opens in a new tab) It has been shown that taking probiotic suppositories can effectively eliminate infections and restore vaginal microbiome balance. This can be especially useful after administration of antibiotics. This is because antibiotics often lead to imbalances in the body’s microbial composition.
Overall intestinal health
woman Statistically (Opens in a new tab) There are more gastrointestinal problems than men, so promoting intestinal health may be of particular concern. Taking probiotics may help alleviate digestive symptoms.
“Fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut benefit the microbiome by enhancing its function, reducing the amount of bacteria that cause disease in the intestine, and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria. Can bring Lactic acid bacteria“Dean says. “But it’s worth noting that the effects of probiotics and fermented foods are temporary, so if you stop taking them, the benefits are gone.”
Mood
Women often see increased mood-related problems during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause due to changes in hormonal activity experienced during this period. the study (Opens in a new tab) While a healthy gut flora can support good mental health, an imbalanced microbial flora has been shown to cause mood problems. This is because gut bacteria generally mimic the hormones released by our own body, communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve, and become essential for mood monitoring. This connection is called the cerebrointestinal axis.
sleep
Sleep quality and duration can be affected by many factors, including menopause. research (Opens in a new tab) Microorganisms that multiply when the body is sleep deprived have also shown to be able to disrupt circadian rhythms. The diverse gut flora can prevent the overgrowth of these sleep-affecting microorganisms by creating effective competition.
skin
Poor intestinal health can cause skin irritation because the body’s microflora affects the immune system. 2019 survey (Opens in a new tab).. The skin is the body’s first immune barrier to the world and works with the mucous membranes and intestinal walls to prevent bad bacteria from entering the body. Probiotics help support the overall healthy flora of microorganisms throughout the body, and the excellent diversity of these populations can prevent the overgrowth of microorganisms that cause skin inflammation and conditions.
What kind of probiotics are suitable for women?
Abundant probiotics Lactic acid bacteria Variants can promote intestinal and vaginal health. Lactic acid bacteria Other microbes can make the vaginal environment too acidic to gain a foothold, which is especially beneficial for women to take to prevent bacterial vaginosis and other infections. These benefits to vaginal health are also seen when probiotics are taken orally. This is due to the benefits of probiotics on the overall immune health and overall balance effect on the microbial flora.