Stepping outside your home exposes you to foreign microbes, which are unseen bugs that can potentially make you unwell. However, the best defense mechanism against these harmful microbes may indeed be beneficial microbes known as probiotics. When you help your body defend against digestive ills, these tiny organisms promote a strengthened immune system, improved mood, enhanced brain power, and better hormone balance.
Boost Your Immune System During Your Travels
Vacations are vital for our health and overall well-being; they offer a fresh change of scenery, new adventures, rejuvenation, and relaxation. However, vacations also bring their own set of health risks, particularly regarding digestive health. Many travelers are familiar with the digestive challenges that often occur during vacations, and the main cause behind these issues is foreign microbes.
During all kinds of trips, from far-flung destinations to local camping adventures, you will come into contact with foreign microbes which can enter your digestive system, resulting in chronic digestive problems. These health problems can range from mild to severe and can be challenging to diagnose.
Fortunately, there is a solution: You can prevent harmful bacteria and pathogens from causing damage by maintaining beneficial bacteria, or probiotics, in your digestive system. This can be accomplished by consuming probiotic supplements, cultured foods containing beneficial bacteria (such as sauerkraut and yogurt), and reducing harmful substances, like antibiotics and caffeine, which destroy friendly flora. By boosting and strengthening the levels of healthy bacteria in your body, you decrease your risk of suffering from digestive imbalances and improve your health.
Strengthen the Foundation of Wellness
For numerous reasons, optimal digestion plays a central role in any health program. It impacts complete nutrient absorption, immune health, hormone balance, cognitive function, and more. Many of these functions depend on the presence of healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. New studies are consistently unveiling the far-reaching health benefits, complexity, and uniqueness of these friendly microbes.
One of the beneficial microbes currently being studied is Saccharomyces boulardii.
Say Hello to Your New Friend
Saccharomyces boulardii (S. boulardii) is a non-pathogenic and widely studied type of yeast that thrives in the digestive system, providing numerous health benefits. This means that the colonization of S. boulardii in the gut is healthy, as opposed to the actions of harmful yeasts like Candida albicans.
S. boulardii has been widely used in Europe for numerous years and boasts powerful benefits for both children and adults. It is effective in treating and preventing diarrhea caused by acute microbial infections, antibiotic use, and numerous chronic digestive disorders. Studies conducted on tourists found that the consumption of S. boulardii significantly reduced the occurrence of traveler’s diarrhea, which is the result of foreign microbes entering the system.
Vital Information for those Taking Antibiotics
While antibiotics may be life-saving, they can also cause extensive harm to the digestive system. For instance, Pseudomembranous colitis is a serious complication that can arise after the use of certain medications.
Although antibiotics may be necessary for acute infections, they are also responsible for killing the beneficial bacterial populations in the digestive tract, allowing harmful microbes to take over. One particularly dangerous bacterial overgrowth from antibiotic use is called Clostridium difficile. This bacterium produces toxins that can cause very severe and potentially life-threatening diarrhea. If you take antibiotics for diarrhea, you may end up causing a vicious cycle that leads to further complications. However, studies on S. boulardii have shown excellent results in preventing recurrences of this dangerous colitis.
Additionally, S. boulardii has been proven to stimulate immune antibody production specifically targeted against the C. difficile toxin. The yeast also promotes the production of enzymes in the digestive tract which help break down this deadly toxin and inhibits the growth of harmful Clostridium. If you are taking antibiotics or have previously taken them, including S. boulardii and other probiotic strains in your daily program can help protect your digestive and overall health naturally.
Natural Anti-Inflammatory Actions
Saccharomyces boulardii communicates with an organism (i.e., you) and helps regulate inflammation throughout your body. The yeast achieves this by modifying inflammatory pathways and inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals. Simultaneously, S. boulardii promotes the body’s production of natural anti-inflammatory chemicals, maintaining a balanced inflammation level and contributing to lasting health and vitality.
Other beneficial bacteria with anti-inflammatory actions include the common probiotics Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Improvement of Mood through a Healthy Gut Flora
Recent studies have revealed the connections between the brain and beneficial bacteria, highlighting the various ways these friendly microbes impact cognitive abilities and moods. One study demonstrated that the presence of healthy probiotic flora in the gut during infancy regulates serotonin levels throughout life. Serotonin is a primary neurochemical responsible for mental and emotional well-being. Other research revealed that an absence of healthy flora in the gut increases anxiety and neurotic behavior. Therefore, increasing your intake of probiotics can help alleviate depression.
Probiotics: Your Ally in Health
Science has only recently begun to fully understand the complex range of benefits and roles probiotics play in promoting and maintaining numerous crucial aspects of health. Studies show that beneficial bacteria improve and regulate immune function, increase nutrient breakdown and assimilation, support cognitive development, among many other benefits.
Saccharomyces boulardii and other beneficial flora are valuable allies in the ever-broadening family of advantageous organisms that protect against disease and help maintain good health. Countdown on these allies to prevent and treat digestive imbalances when taking antibiotics, or for improving overall well-being. Make sure to pack some on your next trip to combat any unwanted digestive issues and enjoy your well-deserved vacation.
