Palm Beach Health Center

Bacteria get a bad rep, but the truth is that they’re not all bad. In fact, your body contains trillions of bacteria that help regulate some of the most basic and important physiological functions. The key to excellent overall health is having the right balance of good bacteria to offset whatever bad bacteria you might be exposed to. As part of our commitment to functional nutrition in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Health Center is here to help you choose the best probiotic to meet your health goals.  

Getting to Know Probiotics  

What are Probiotics?  

Our bodies have unique microbiomes made up of trillions of bacteria that facilitate functions in the gut, lungs, and mouth to name a few. Probiotics are made up of a combination of yeast and beneficial bacterial that are naturally found in your body. When you take probiotics, you are enhancing your natural microbiome which helps maintain a healthy balance and prevent bad bacteria from causing health problems.  

Why Do I Need Probiotics?  

When there is an imbalance in a microbiota (bacterial communities in a given part of your body), meaning that there are more bad bacteria than good, you become susceptible to a wide range of health problems. Namely, gastrointestinal issues and immune dysfunctions. When this happens, you compromise your body’s ability to metabolize food and fight off infection.  

Picking the Best Probiotic  

Get the Most Out of Each Serving  

The first thing you need to look at is the number of CFU (Colony Forming Units). This is simply the number of organisms contained in a single serving. The general recommendation is to use a probiotic that contains at least one billion CFU.  

Variety  

Another important factor is how many different types of organisms are in the probiotic. Since different bacteria have different functions, getting the right balance is key to improving how your body functions. We typically recommend using a product that contains anywhere between 15 to 30 different types of bacteria.  

Add to Your Diet  

One of the most effective ways to get good bacteria into your system is by eating fermented foods. Kefir, kombucha, or kimchi are excellent additions to your diet that can substantial improve your gut flora and metabolism.  

Interested in Learning More About Functional Nutrition in West Palm Beach?  

Palm Beach Health Center believes that excellent health starts with giving your body what it needs. We can help you create a diet that will unlock your full health potential with our functional nutrition programs. Contact us today to get started!