Chances are, you’ve heard us talking a lot about probiotics on the blog, but perhaps you’re still in the dark about what this strange term might actually mean. The lingo may not have be en on your radar before.
In the strict definition, probiotics means “a live micro-organism that brings a benefit to its host”. You may also hear probiotics described as “good bacteria”. They’re usually added to yoghurts or taken as food supplements, or in our case, added to beauty products. The ones we use in Gallinée products are from the Lactobacillus family and have been gently deactivated by heat. Sounds great right?
If you’re interested, here are seven more things you should know about probiotics.
They’ve been consumed for thousands of years
Probiotics are live strains of bacteria and other live microorganisms including the likes of yeast. When taken in sufficient quantities they have a positive health benefit hence the terms you hear in the press such as ‘good’ and ‘beneficial’ bacteria. Probiotics have been consumed for thousands of years in foods such as vinegar, dark chocolate and yoghurt. Our bodies love them!
They can help your gut
Your good bacteria play a vital role in the development and maintenance of your intestinal lining, otherwise known as your mucosal barrier. They compete with the less-friendly microbes for both food and attachment sites on the receptor cells. The more healthy microbes you have, the more chance of them fighting off bad bacteria, resulting in a healthy gut.
And your skin!
Well, we wouldn’t incorporate them if they didn’t help! The Gallinée range is an incredible patented complex of prebiotics, probiotics and lactic acid to help nourish and support skin’s good bacteria. We’ve honed formulations that are bursting with high concentrations of active ingredients, respecting skin’s sensitivity and encouraging a healthy microbiome for the good bacteria to thrive on. Our hydrating face cream contains a patented Triple Biotic Complex of prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics to help support your skin’s microbiome in the most gentle and effective way possible.
They’re abundant in fermented foods
Fermented foods from the likes of kimchi (fermented vegetables) to sauerkraut are all great additions to your diet because their natural probiotic content can help to keep your digestive tract in optimum health. Some research is now even linking the dietary practice of fermenting foods to positive mental health. Why not try something like Kefir – a fermented milk drink that is super-high in good bacteria!
Not all live yoghurts are the same in probiotic terms
To a certain extent all yoghurt contains levels of healthy bacteria, but some can be better for you than others. This is normally associated with price with more premium yoghurts containing higher levels of probiotics.
You need to consider prebiotics that feed probiotics
Prebiotics are types of dietary fibre that feed the friendly bacteria in your gut. This helps the gut bacteria produce nutrients for your colon cells and leads to a healthier digestive system. Luckily for you, we include prebiotics in our formulas too. Fun Fact: You may detect a faint smell of gingerbread in our hydrating face cream due to the high concentration of prebiotics.
And guess what? In addition to using Gallinée, you can find these prebiotics in vegetables! Suggested fruit and vegetables include: bananas, Jerusalem artichokes, asparagus, fennel, garlic, cold potatoes, apples, pak choi, leeks and onions.
You should take probiotics after a course of antibiotics
Antibiotics are specifically designed to treat bacterial infections in our bodies and get you feeling ship shape again. But these medicines can’t differentiate between good and bad bacteria in the gut so they disrupt the overall balance of the gut microbiota. Although most of the organisms within the macrobiota regenerate over time, this can take time and in turn, side-effects of the prescription can occur. By taking a supplement or actively eating foods with natural probiotics, you can encourage the regeneration of this healthy bacteria.
