In recent years, probiotics have become one of the most talked-about health trends\u2014often found in capsules, powders, or even gummies claiming to \u201cboost gut health\u201d and \u201cimprove immunity.\u201d But do you really need probiotic supplements? Or can you get the same benefits from your daily diet? To get clarity on this, we got in touch with Dr. Karuna Chaturvedi, Head \u2013 Clinical Nutrition at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Noida, and she says that the answer depends on your health condition.<\/p>\n
\u201cProbiotic supplements contain live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your body. They support the body\u2019s defence system and help strengthen immunity, especially by maintaining gut health,\u201d says Dr. Chaturvedi.<\/p>\n
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What are probiotics?<\/strong><\/p>\n Probiotics are live microorganisms\u2014usually bacteria or yeast\u2014that naturally live in your body, especially in your digestive tract. The most common strains found in supplements are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These \u201cgood bacteria\u201d play a major role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and fighting off harmful microbes.<\/p>\n \u201cOral probiotics help restore the balance of healthy gut bacteria,\u201d Dr. Chaturvedi explains. \u201cThis not only aids digestion but also helps the body absorb nutrients and eliminate harmful germs.\u201d<\/p>\n Probiotic supplements are often prescribed to people dealing with gut-related issues like bloating, and diarrhoea, or after a course of antibiotics, which can kill both harmful and helpful bacteria in the gut.<\/p>\n When should you take them?<\/strong><\/p>\n While probiotics are generally safe, Dr. Chaturvedi says they\u2019re not necessary for everyone. \u201cIf you\u2019re healthy and your digestive system is working fine, there\u2019s usually no need to take a supplement,\u201d she advises. \u201cA balanced diet with fermented foods can give you all the probiotics you need,\u201d she further said.<\/p>\n Some people may experience side effects from supplements\u2014such as bloating, mild digestive discomfort, or even negative interactions with medications, especially antibiotics. That\u2019s why it\u2019s always best to consult a doctor or dietitian before starting them.<\/p>\n Can food be just as effective?<\/strong><\/p>\n Absolutely! In fact, Dr. Chaturvedi recommends choosing natural food sources of probiotics over pills.<\/p>\n \u201cFoods like yoghurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese, and pickles naturally contain beneficial bacteria,\u201d she says. \u201cThese offer the same gut-friendly benefits without the risks that sometimes come with supplements.\u201d<\/p>\n Other fermented foods like idli, dosa batter, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha can also support gut health when consumed regularly.<\/p>\n Balance is the key<\/strong><\/p>\n While probiotic supplements can help in certain situations, they aren\u2019t a one-size-fits-all solution. The best approach? Focus on eating a variety of nutritious foods, staying hydrated, and managing stress\u2014because a healthy lifestyle supports a healthy gut.<\/p>\n \u201cSupplements can be helpful for people with specific health issues, but for most of us, a natural diet is enough,\u201d Dr. Chaturvedi explains. \u201cYour body has its own way of maintaining gut health\u2014just give it the right fuel.\u201d<\/p>\n Probiotics are powerful, but they\u2019re not magic pills. Unless you have gut issues or your doctor recommends it, your kitchen already holds the best solution for good gut health.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In recent years, probiotics have become one of the most talked-about health trends\u2014often found in capsules, powders, or…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":171520,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4318],"tags":[71362,105,71366,4434,71368,71367,71369,71360,71365,71359,71361,71363,16,15,71364],"class_list":{"0":"post-171519","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-fermented-foods-gut-benefits","9":"tag-health","10":"tag-how-to-fix-gut-health","11":"tag-nutrition","12":"tag-probiotic-capsules","13":"tag-probiotic-drinks","14":"tag-probiotic-foods","15":"tag-probiotic-foods-for-gut-health","16":"tag-probiotic-for-women","17":"tag-probiotic-supplements-benefits","18":"tag-probiotics-and-immunity","19":"tag-probiotics-side-effects","20":"tag-uk","21":"tag-united-kingdom","22":"tag-when-to-take-probiotics"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114656064517123963","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171519","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=171519"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171519\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/171520"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=171519"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=171519"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=171519"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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