Health Digestion


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What you need to know about…


Gut health and probiotics


Often called ‘friendly’ bacteria, probiotic supplements are available at many pharmacies. But what are they, and what are they good for?


Q A


What are probiotics?


The NHS describes probiotics as live bacteria and yeasts promoted as having various health


benefits. These organisms – with names such as acidophilus, lactobacillus and bifidobacterium – are thought to help keep us healthy, as they may help balance our 'good' and 'bad' bacteria to keep our bodies working properly (though researchers still don't know exactly how probiotics work). Bacteria are found in their trillions in the gut


(including the stomach and intestines), and probiotics are thought to help restore and improve the gut’s natural bacterial balance. This may help maintain a healthy gut, which is important because the gut is where our food is digested and absorbed.


Q A


How do probiotics work?


According to the BDA (the Association of UK Dietitians), when you eat or drink probiotics


it’s thought they compete with potentially harmful bacteria and eliminate them from the gut. They may also help you digest fibre from your diet (indeed a type of fibre called prebiotics ‘feed’ the probiotics found naturally in your gut). You can buy supplements that contain


probiotics at your local Careway pharmacy. Your diet can also provide a good source of probiotics when you eat certain types of foods.


Q A


Which foods contain probiotics?


If you want to boost your intake of probiotics without taking supplements there


are several foods that contain these bacteria, including the following:


• Live natural yoghurt • Kefir (a fermented milk drink) • Sauerkraut (fermented cabbage and other vegetables)


• Miso (a paste made from fermented soya beans used in Japanese cooking)


• Kombucha (a type of fermented tea) • Kimchi (a fermented vegetable dish used in Korean cuisine)


Q A


What health issues are probiotics used for?


The BDA suggests there are a few areas where probiotics have been found to be


beneficial, including:


• When you’re taking antibiotics (as antibiotics can disrupt the natural balance of your gut bacteria)


• When you’re travelling (probiotics may help reduce your chances of getting travellers’ diarrhoea)


• When you’re constipated • If you have irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease


If you want to try probiotics, take them for at least a month to see if they help.


Your local Careway pharmacist can help relieve the symptoms of common minor gut health conditions, including the following:


Q A


Indigestion This can cause heartburn, nausea and bloating after eating or drinking. Cutting down on tea, coffee, cola and alcohol can help, as can losing weight you need to. Medicines called antacids that help ease the burning sensation or pain that can come with indigestion.


Constipation If you’re constipated you may also have a stomach ache and feel bloated or sick. Drinking lots of fluids (while avoiding alcohol), eating more fibre and being more active may help you become more regular. Ask your pharmacist about medicines that can help, such as laxatives.


Diarrhoea Often caused by a stomach bug, diarrhoea shouldn’t last longer than a few days. Treat yourself by drinking lots of fluids (water or squash, for instance), getting plenty of rest and only eating when you feel able to. Your pharmacist can advise you about anti-diarrhoea medicines, and may recommend oral rehydration sachets if they think you may be dehydrated.


All About health 47


What are common minor gut health conditions?


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