What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics comprise good microorganisms that are safe for consumption. They can be consumed and cultured either through fermented foods or dietary supplements.

In fact, the imbalance and balance in the number of good bacteria play a role in your digestive system and overall health.

These beneficial microorganisms can help achieve a healthy gut and have been known to aid the human body in numerous ways.

On top of that, good bacteria can promote weight loss, strengthen the immune system, and so much more.

Probiotics vs Prebiotics

It’s easy to get confused between probiotics and prebiotics. Despite being equally beneficial to our gut and overall health, they do vary in functions. In fact, they work in synergy: probiotics thrive and multiply under the help of prebiotics by feeding on them. 

Probiotics are live bacterias that help combat harmful bacterias in the body to restore a healthy balance. You can often find them in super foods such as kimchi, yoghurt, miso and dietary supplements. Consuming them daily will strengthen your digestive and immune system. 

Prebiotics on the other hand, are indigestible plant-based fibre that lives in the body’s lower digestive tract. These fibres act as a source of food for healthy bacteria (probiotics) to stimulate their growth and help them function more effectively. 

Why Take Probiotics Supplements in Singapore?

Though probiotics can be found in different sources of food such as yoghurt or fermented food, the dosages are immeasurable and it’s impossible for us to identify the type of bacteria strain from the food labels alone. 

That’s when probiotics in Singapore come in handy where you’ll know for sure what bacterias are included and how they can help treat or prevent a specific health concern. 

What are the Signs You Need Probiotics?

You know your body is asking for probiotics when you’re facing health problems including allergies, asthma, mood disorders, etc. 

Say your doctor has diagnosed you, he or she may recommend that you take probiotics to improve your overall health condition. 

Should you be giving these supplements to a pregnant lady or children, we advise that you consult a health expert first.

What Are the Health Benefits of Probiotics?

These healthy bacterias are imperative for your body. They balance the number of good bacterias in your digestive tract and prevent diarrhoea. 

Since they function to promote a healthier body, they also have a role to play in affecting your mental health. Some strains of lactic acid are known to reduce LDL cholesterol and blood pressure. 

Other health concerns such as allergies and eczema will also be kept at bay. 

In terms of dietary supplements, probiotics also come in different forms such as capsules, tablets, powdered supplements, liquid, just to name a few.

How to Choose the Best Probiotics in Singapore?

With so many probiotic supplements available, it can be challenging to determine which one works best. To help narrow down your choices, here are some factors to consider: 

a) Colony-Forming Units (CFUs)

CFUs simply means the number of viable bacteria per dose in your probiotic supplements. According to HealthLine, studies have shown that it’s recommended to take probiotics with a minimum of 10 million viable CFUs per gram to reap the benefits. This is the minimum amount needed for live organisms to survive in your digestive tract.

b) Types of Probiotics

Here is the rule of thumb: the more types of probiotics a supplement contains, the more effective it is. Each type serves a different health purpose. For example, Lactobacillus acidophilus is among the well-researched genus. It produces lactic acid that helps eliminate bad bacteria and promotes the body’s absorption of minerals. Plus, it’s one type of probiotic you need to look out for when buying women’s probiotics for vaginal health. It helps establish a healthy vaginal balance and prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

c) Shelf Life

You don’t want your probiotic supplements to lose their potency shortly after you bought them. Remember to check the expiration date to ensure that it has a long shelf life. While they won’t exactly turn bad, they tend to lose their efficacy. A good baseline is one to two years for a functioning, quality probiotic supplement.

Read on to discover which are the best probiotics in Singapore 2023 you can opt for.