Hello. This is Michelle Phelan, nutritionist at Blossom Bariatrics, where expertise meets true compassion. We’re always here for you before, during, and after your weight loss surgery procedure–because it’s the after that’s the most important part.
Today, we’re going to talk about probiotics and why they’re so darn important. You might be asking, “What the heck are probiotics? What’s all this buzzword about probiotics? What is a probiotic?”
Well, probiotics are basically the healthy bacteria, or the gut flora, that reside in our feet and feet of intestines. Some reside in the small intestine, some reside in the large intestine, and some like to hang out in your colon. All are very important.
The reason why probiotics are so important to our health is that 70% of your Melatonin production actually happens in your guts, alright? 70% of your Serotonin production happen in your gut–you know, the feel-good neurotransmitter that we all love. And 80% of your immune system happens right in your guts, folks. That is profound and so important to know.
The other wonderful thing about probiotics is that they aid in all your food absorption and assimilation and metabolism, primarily in the small intestine. Without our good, beneficial bacteria, we don’t absorb our food well–or at all.
Some of the reasons why most Americans are very low in their beneficial bacteria, or probiotic, is that most Americans–most of us–have been on antibiotics. Most of us have been on medications–pharmaceutical medications or pharmaceutical pain medications. As well as, most folks eat the standard American diet, which is very high in refined carbohydrates, processed foods, toxins, and preservatives.
Another thing to think about is that probiotics need a very balanced and alkaline environment in which to live and to multiply, and many of these factors contribute to a less hospitable environment for these good bacteria to thrive and multiply in. When that happens, the more harmful bacteria can take root and grown and take over all your real estate in your intestines.
When looking for a probiotic to supplement with, look for high CFUs, which means “Colonizing Forming Units”–at least 20 to 30 billion per capsule. Also your probiotics will probably be coming in a capsule or a powder form. Many are shelf-stable, and many are still refrigerated–it just depends on the manufacturer. Another great source of probiotics are fermented vegetables, like sauerkraut–if you like it.
Here’s a “Blossom Bite.”
Your intestines and brain share many of the same cells. So, for those of you who have gotten butterflies when you get anxious or you get nervous about something, your eyes and your brain are perceiving this anxiety or this occurrence that’s happening, but you feel it in your guts, alright? That’s called, “Butterflies in the stomach.” Another way to look at that is when you have a gut feeling about someone, or something, or perhaps a room–you walk into a room and you have a funny gut feeling about that room. That is actually–your eyes and your brain are perceiving something not quite right about that environment, but you feel it in your gut. And, that’s where that saying came from.
Make sure to visit our website at www.blossombariatrics.com for other information, or if you have any additional questions.
Until next time, here’s to a healthier, happier you!
