Probiotics are the bacteria that naturally occur in the gastrointestinal tract. These are indeed an important part of the digestive system and are responsible for a lot of important tasks. These micro-biomes are extremely important for our life. Probiotics help in eradicating the bacteria that cause illness and infection. They also help in producing the enzymes that are required to break the food down and are known to produce nutrients as well. This might make you wonder how probiotics and constipation are related. Well, there is an important connection between the two.
Having the right bacteria in the gut helps with the digestion process. The bacteria in colon and intestines break down the stool so that it can easily pass through. This also helps a lot with dehydration which makes the stools harder to pass. When the bad bacteria in your gut are more than the good bacteria, it can lead to a lot of bowel problems including gas. Therefore, probiotics are extremely important for proper digestion.
Importance of probiotics
Now that you know that probiotics are important and help with constipation, you might be wondering as to why you need extra probiotics when the body produces it naturally. The reason behind it is the sedentary lifestyle and the dietary habits of the modern world. We fail to maintain the crucial balance in the gut that is ideal.
Moreover, most of us usually are too dehydrated and eat a lot of sugary foods that actually feed the bad bacteria. This is why we need extra probiotics to help us to keep the balance. These days, due to a lot of medication, the balance tends to be missing.
A lot of antibiotics will kill both the good and bad bacteria in the gut. This is why there is nothing left to actually break down the food. This is one of the most prominent reasons why probiotics and constipation are linked.
Probiotic supplements
These supplements come in the form of capsules and powders that have the needed amount of bacteria to digest the food. After consuming these capsules, the bacteria is absorbed by the gut where it carries out its function. It is important to note that some of these bacteria can actually get killed while it travels through the stomach. This can be due to the swallowing and heat. You should keep these supplements in the fridge and read the reviews of the products before buying them.
Other alternatives are to eat foods that also promote the bacteria culture. Yogurt is a good example of this. There are a lot of products out there that have been changed with additional healthy bacteria in it. However, those who cannot tolerate certain dairy products should avoid yogurt. Consuming fermented foods is also a good way of increasing the good bacteria. For instance, you can have pickles that are fermented. Thus, probiotics and constipation have a correlation knowing which you take preventive measures to cure constipation.
Benefits of probiotics for constipation
In order for the probiotics to work effectively, you can combine them with other helpful practices and remedies. Drinking a lot of water on a regular basis is one of the best things that you can do. This is because constipation is mainly caused due to dehydration. Make sure that you drink at least eight glasses of water each day.
Apart from this, you should increase your fiber consumption that will help a lot with the bowel movements. You can eat prunes as they are a good source of soluble as well as insoluble fibers. It also has a range of other active ingredients that are also beneficial for the body.
It is believed that drinking caffeine also helps a lot as it is a natural laxative. After consuming a few cups of coffee, you might start to see the difference. You should add in a lot of water also as caffeine can actually make you dehydrated.
Did you know that apart from probiotics and constipation, stress is also linked to constipation? When you are under stress, a lot of muscles in the body contract. This can also cause the intestinal muscles to contract. You can try taking a warm bath and get in the hot shower to help you with stress. Meditation and soothing music can also help a lot with stress.
However, if none of the mentioned things work in your favor, then it is best to consult the doctor immediately. Understanding probiotics and constipation will help you to take the necessary measures that you can to prevent and even treat it.
With the right medication and treatment options, you can get rid of constipation. In order to prevent it from happening again make sure that you take your probiotics regularly and maintain an active lifestyle.
