What is a probiotic?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are intended to have health benefits when consumed. These healthy bacteria strains can be found naturally in some foods and in nutritional supplements.
Probiotics may contain a variety of microorganisms, the two most common bacteria are called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Why probiotics
Harvard Health says “vaginal probiotics are touted as a way to introduce live microorganisms into your vagina to improve health. It is true that your vagina, like your digestive tract, is teeming with beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms”.
When this balance of good bacteria becomes unbalanced it creates a perfect place for bad bacteria to grow, which can result in odor, irritation or infections.
Studies show that the probiotics can help prevent and treat vaginal imbalance issues says Mindy Haar, PhD, RDN, CSN of the New York Institute of Technology’s department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Vaginal imbalances can lead to many things such as urinary tract infections.
What we know
We know that lactobacillus is a type of good bacteria that lives naturally in our vaginas. It helps to keep the vagina in normal pH range and helps to fight off infections.
Feeding our bodies foods and drinks with natural probiotics is very healthy for our overall well being.
Vaginal Imbalances can lead to...
- Fishy odor
- Discomfort
- Discharge
- Itching
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Yeast infections
how you can get probiotics
Yogurt is said to be one of the best sources of probiotics. It is made from milk that has been fermented by friendly bacteria, mainly lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria.
Make sure you look at your yogurt to verify it does contain live or active cultures.
Probiotic supplements are quick and easy to use. Just like a vitamin this supplement will give your body the probiotic bacteria.
It is important to note that the body does respond better to natural probiotics from foods.
Kombucha tea is another great source of probiotics. This fermented tea is made up of strains of bacteria, yeast, sugar and either black tea or green tea.
There are many more sources of probiotics in foods and drinks such as kefir, sauerkraut, sourdough bread, tempeh, miso, pickles, some types of cheeses just to name a few.
get a healthy and happy vagina
The vagina is an amazing self-cleaning organ, so most of the time our body can fight off odor, infection and irritation. But, if you tend to get reoccurring issues like yeast infections, adding probiotics to your diet can help ward off these annoying conditions.
