Good morning, friends!  Happy hump day to ya!  I am a little tired over here today… I think I hit the snooze button for a good hour today… 🙂  

Thanks for all your comments on my post about Magnesium last week.  I love hearing all the ways it benefits other people.  

Today I want to talk about Probiotics.  As always, just because I take a supplement doesn’t mean it is right for you.  Always check with your doctor before changing your supplement routine.  

What are Probiotics?  They are the good bacteria that aid in keeping out gut healthy.  Probiotics help us to digest food properly while destroying the bad bacteria.  I firmly believe that good health begins in the gut.  If our digestion is not functioning properly, our whole body gets out of whack.  We feel tired, fatigued, lack energy, don’t absorb vital nutrients, and our skin does not look its best.  Essentially a healthy gut leads to a good immune system that functions the way it is intended to do so.  

I am a big advocate for getting out nutrients and vitamins through whole food sources, but sometimes we need a little extra.  I try to be mindful of eating Probiotic-rich foods daily, but also supplement to make sure I am getting enough.  Probiotics are found in sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi, yogurt, kombucha, and more.   My favorites are yogurt, kimchi, and kombucha! 

I read this fact recently and found it fascinating, “According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), upward of 60 to 70 million Americans are affected by digestive issues.”  That is a lot of people.  

Our bodies naturally contain Probiotics, but with our meat and dairy-heavy diets, high consumption of prescription medications, and high carbohydrate diets, most people need extra Probiotics in their systems.  

Back in college when I was dealing with digestive issues (I saw probably 15 doctors over a few years and had every test on the market done), one doctor suggested taking Probiotics.  They didn’t solve my gut issue (gluten was the culprit I found out much later), but they made it a heck of a lot more tolerable.  I was able to consume food without feeling nauseous and was better able to absorb nutrients I needed to feel energized throughout the day.  I was not longer getting heartburn or an urge to use the restroom 24/7.  I have continued to take Probiotics ever since and they are one supplement that will probably always have a place in my routine.  

Now it’s your turn to chime in in the comments section!

Questions:

1. Do you take Probiotics?
2. Have you ever had disgestive issues?
3. What do you do to keep your digestion on track?