6 Surprising Benefits Of Taking Probiotics

Probiotics

Studies have shown that the presence of friendly bacteria in the gut helps keep the body healthy. According to the Cleveland Clinic, probiotics is a term used to describe live bacteria and yeast that collectively benefit the digestive system. The good microorganism as they are called, works by reducing the population of bad bacteria, thus enhancing the health of the gut. Probiotics maintain a healthy balance by replacing bad bacteria with good ones. Probiotics are found in a number of foods, dietary supplements and naturally, in the gut.

The healthy bacteria populations that live naturally in the intestines include the Bifobacterium and Lactobacillus families of microorganism as well as the strain of yeast called Saccharomyces boulardii. The foods that contain probiotics include soy drinks and juices, buttermilk, sauerkraut, pickles and fermented and unfermented milk. The supplements with probiotics are mostly dietary in nature, and come in the form of tablets, capsule, liquid extracts and powders. According to Healthline, here are 6 surprising ways probiotics helps keep the body healthy:

  1. Aid in weight and belly fat loss – probiotics can help fight weight loss. Certain kinds of probiotics have been shown to be effective in preventing the rate at which intestines absorb dietary fat. The unabsorbed, accumulated fat is then excreted as fecal matter. Probiotics also hasten the burning of more calories. However, more studies regarding the effectiveness of probiotics in weight loss are on-going.

    2. Prevents diarrhea and certain types of digestive disorders – probiotics are widely acclaimed in scientific circles for their ability to prevent and ease severe diarrhea. In one study, researchers established that taking probiotics greatly reduced diarrhea associated with the taking antibiotic by up to 42%. Inflammatory bowel disorders like Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative colitis can also be minimized by taking probiotics. The most effective probiotics here include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains.

    3. Enhance mental health – a number of human and animal studies have linked good mood and mental health to having a healthy gut. During the studies, it was established that taking food supplements with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains for a few months helped enhance memory and eased anxiety.

    4. Keeps the heart healthy – the health of the heart has far reaching implications on the entire body. Researchers have shown that probiotics have the ability to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and blood pressure. One of the most effective probiotics in this regard is found in lactic acid. Probiotics also have the capacity to break down cholesterol based bile, thereby preventing the re-absorption of cholesterol from the gut into the bloodstream.

    5. Boost immune system – a strong immune system helps fight diseases inside the body. Probiotics can boost the immune system and prevent the growth of bacteria that may harm the body. Certain strains have also been shown to boost the production of antibodies and immune cells like the T lymphocytes and IgA producing cells. Studies are ongoing to establish the effects of probiotics on the immune system.

    6. Fight allergies and eczema – studies have shown that certain strains of probiotics can fight eczema, especially in children. One such study established that children who took probiotics while in the mother’s womb had 83% less chance of developing eczema within the first 2 years of infancy.

    About Dr. Usha Rajagopal 
    Dr. Usha Rajagopal is a widely regarded plastic surgeon and health and beauty expert based in the Bay Area of San Francisco. The board certified surgeon is the Medical Chief of the San Francisco Plastic Surgery and Laser Center. Outside her practice, Dr. Usha Rajagopal cares a lot about philanthropy. She established a $500 scholarship as a way to give to give back to the community and sensitize students about various health and lifestyle issues.

 

5 Doctors Who Can Boost Your Self Confidence (Spoiler: One is Your Dentist)

Dr. Usha Rajagopal

Dr. Usha Rajagopal

We all have heard the common saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” We go to doctors as a way to take care of our health, to free us from pain, injury, or sickness. Doctors are known to fix a physical problem, a problem that disrupts us from going on in our daily lives.

A Confidence Problem

What do we do when we suffer from problems more than pains or ailments? Sometimes, the problem lies in our hearts, such as a lack of self-confidence. A lack of self-confidence can be caused by many things, but as for many, it would mostly lie on the issue of self-image. How does a person see his or her body? How does she feel confident about her breasts, how does he feel about his belly? These are some of the make or break questions that can define a person’s body self-image.

Doctors can help in that, too

Aside from self-assurance, positive energy with the people around you, and forming good self-care habits, don’t you know that doctors can help you build your confidence too? Different doctors who specialize in various health fields can help you build your self-esteem by solving appearance problems that may get in the way of being content with your body. If you are interested in knowing more, here are 5 doctors who can help you keep a positive self-image.

5 Doctors Who Can Boost Your Self Confidence (Spoiler: One is Your Dentist)

1. Physician Nutrition Specialist

A physician who specializes in nutrition can help you make good dietary choices. These doctors know a lot about food intake, weight loss or gain, and other dietary principles that will help you improve your overall wellbeing. By consulting a Physician Nutrition Specialist, you can find different recommendations on what diet is suited for your body type, or to find out which food items to avoid based on your health conditions.

2. Cosmetic Surgeon

“There are some problems that cannot be fixed by merely following a set of principles or habits. If you are suffering from low self-confidence due to the appearance of your face and body, consulting a Cosmetic Surgeon may be a good option for you,” says Dr. Usha Rajagopal, a known Cosmetic Surgeon established in San Francisco, California. A Cosmetic Surgeon can help by suggesting appropriate corrective procedures to fix your concerns. The most common ones would be anti-aging cosmetic surgeries, fat reductions, and facial enhancements. Dr. Usha Rajagopal suggests to inquire about reputable doctors and ask about tried and tested procedures with a high chance of success.

3. Dentist

One of the first things that people notice upon meeting you is your smile. But what do you do when you feel embarrassed about crooked or yellow teeth, poor dentures or anything else that may be noticed by everyone around? A Dentist is there to help you out with all your dental needs. They can help correct crooked or broken teeth through the use of jackets or braces and recommend whitening procedures for yellow teeth. Like your eyes, your smile can also say a lot about who you are.

4. Psychiatrist

If your self-confidence seems to be lacking because of internal issues, it may be best to deal with your problems by consulting a Psychiatrist. If you notice that you have poor self-image but people around you seem to say that there is nothing to fret about, it can be more or a mental or emotional state you have to deal with. A Psychiatrist can help you battle these mental and emotional problems by recommending services of a therapist, or providing medication to reduce the symptoms of depression or any other issues you may have. Being able to rid of negative thoughts and emotions can help you gain your confidence back.

5. Dermatologist

Acne is also one of the common problems that destabilize a person’s self-image. 60 million people in the United States alone suffer from varying forms of acne. There are negative consequences of having recurring moderate to severe acne such as scarring, infections, and poor self-image. People who constantly suffer from having pimples are less likely to interact with others and feel uncomfortable with themselves. A Dermatologist can help eradicate these skin problems and other signs of aging such as wrinkles and warts. They provide topical medication, treatment procedures and suggest daily regimens to help you maintain a healthy skin.

“Do not be intimidated to ask your doctor about your concerns. It is their job to know what your health and cosmetic problems are, and to find ways to solve it. If the underlying cause of your poor self-confidence is your appearance, they will surely suggest ways on how to correct these concerns,” states Dr. Usha Rajagopal.