Tips for Taking a Probiotic

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Probiotics are a hot topic in the media these days. And for good reason! They play a major role in our digestive health. We have an estimated 100 trillion bacteria – some “good” and some “bad” – living in our digestive tract.Intestinal Internal Organs When these bacteria get out of balance, this may result in occasional digestive upsets. A probiotic may be a good choice for you to maintain and promote your digestive health. Get the low down on if probiotics are right for you and tips on how to take them.

*I am a paid spokesperson for Align, but all opinions are my own. However, I am a big fan of Align as a probiotic and frequently recommend it.   I will be referring to Align in much of this blog post


What are probiotics?
Probiotics are good bacteria that are essential for many vital body functions, including healthy digestion. Common issues such as diet, changes in your daily routine, travel, and stress can disrupt your natural balance of goodProbiotic (or prebiotic) rich foods including pulses, nuts, fruit and milk products, good for immunity and the gut bacteria in your gut. Foods such as yogurt, kefir, buttermilk and many fermented foods contain probiotics. But sometimes food isn’t enough to help our digestive tracts get back in balance. Enter the world of probiotic supplements. While many supplements are on the decline, probiotic supplements are growing by leaps and bounds. If you are looking to maintain your digestive health*, taking a daily probiotic supplement may be a good choice for you.

It’s theorized that probiotics may play a major role in other areas of health. Although a great deal of research has been done on probiotics, much remains to be learned. Some probiotics may help to prevent diarrhea that is caused by infections or antibiotics. In addition, they may also help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, benefits have not been conclusively demonstrated, and not all probiotics have the same effects. Probiotics may help maintain your digestive system’s natural balance*. Not all probiotics are alike.

Probiotics are identified by the genus, species or subspecies, and strain. Align is the only probiotic supplement that contains B. infantis 35624.  B. infantis, 35624 can be identified as:

Genus: Bifidobacterium
Subspecies: infantis
Strain: 35624

Row of 4 different breed of puppies, pit bull, pomeranian, chihuahua and english bulldog isolated on a white background
The strain determines the benefit

The concept of a bacterial “strain” is similar to the breed of a dog—all dogs are the same genus and species, but there are different breeds of dogs. The same way, different probiotic strains can have different effects. Only Align contains the strain B. infantis 35624 for 24/7 digestive support. §* This clinically studied strain naturally helps fortify your digestive system so you can maintain digestive balance.*

 

Tips for taking probiotics
1. Check with your doctor to make sure they are right for you. They are safe for the majority of people. However, people with a weakened immune system or other serious health issues shouldn’t take them.
2. Buy the supplement from a reputable company. Probiotics are not regulated like drugs. Buying from a reputable company increases the likelihood that more rigorous testing has been done, which is why I trust Align!
3. Read the label for storage guidelines. Some need to be refrigerated whereas others kept at room temperature. Align should be stored at room temperature, keeping capsules in original blister packaging until use.align
4. Read the label for instructions on dosage.  Align comes in an easy-to-swallow capsule that you take just once a day.  Align can be taken with or without food.
5. Mild side effects such as gas and bloating may occur in the first few days of taking a probiotic. This may be a temporary adjustment period. If you experience serious side effects, consult your doctor.
6. Probiotics work best if taken on a regular basis. Once you stop taking them, you lose the beneficial effect.
7. Beware of products that promise a specific health improvement. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved any probiotics for preventing or treating any health problem
8. Look for a probiotic supplement that has the right strain for you.

 

Read my previous post on Top 8 Tips for a Healthy Gut.  Stay tuned for 2 more upcoming blog posts on Gut Health & Probiotics!

 §With continued daily use.  

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Align partnered with bloggers, such as me, to get the word out about its great product benefits. As part of this program, I received compensation for my time. Align’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and social media engagement recommendations. Get an Align coupon here! 

 

References
NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Probiotics in Depth

 

 

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MEET MARTHA

I especially love problem-solving, whether it’s helping women defeat issues plaguing them for years, helping a busy executive find practical ways to get heart healthy, or providing tips to help you reverse diabetes. That’s why I’m on a constant quest to expand my knowledge by staying on top of the latest research.

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2 Comments

  1. Bionaze on February 21, 2023 at 8:01 am

    I had a problem with my digestion before because of unhealthy eating, but when I started eating probiotic foods and supplements, my problem with my digestion started to vanish. Thanks for posting content that helps us to have a healthy lifestyle. Great post!

  2. Bionaze on August 22, 2023 at 6:13 am

    Taking probiotics has a lot of benefits, but to ensure your health, we need to consult experts on how much probiotics we need to take.

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