by Rick Goldman
High blood pressure can result from many different factors. According to the CDC, as many as 75 million adults in America suffer from some form of high blood pressure. Only about half of these individuals have their blood pressure problems under control either through lifestyle modifications or medication usage.
This leaves many people searching for ways to help themselves gain better control of their high blood pressure. In fact, many patients prefer to seek natural methods to lower their blood pressure and have better health as a result. The following information will cover some of the benefits of probiotics, one of which can include better control of one's blood pressure.
Probiotics are commonly discussed in the media as being beneficial for a wide variety of ailments that plague millions of people today. Probiotics are strains of beneficial bacteria that usually reside within the human body. Our intestinal tract is home to countless types of bacteria that generally remain in a proper state of balance. Illness, stress, medication use, and other factors can sometimes throw this balance of good and bad bacteria off, resulting in common ailments for many. The following are some of the most well-known benefits that can come about from probiotic use.
While antibiotics are sometimes medically necessary, they wreak havoc on the digestive tract. Since antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, they don't know how to differentiate between good and bad bacteria. Therefore, these types of medications are one of the primary reasons that the delicate balance between good and bad bacteria can be disrupted. A high-quality probiotic can replenish the beneficial bacteria in the body that is responsible for promoting good health.
It's been estimated that as much as 80% or more of our immune function comes from our intestinal tract and the maintenance of beneficial bacteria in this area. A high-quality probiotic can boost the overall function of the immune system, reduce the likelihood of succumbing to colds and flu, and even help fight autoimmune diseases.
A poor diet, lack of exercise, and stress can all contribute to digestive issues of varying degrees of severity. Overall digestion and regularity can be greatly improved with the addition of a quality probiotic supplement.
Irritable bowel disease often causes intermittent episodes of constipation, diarrhea, or both. By gaining a better control of the balance between good and bad bacteria in the gut, a reduction in these uncomfortable symptoms can often be seen for many patients.
Recent preliminary findings suggest that the regular use of probiotics may help reduce high blood pressure. Recent research from over nine different studies has provided preliminary suggestions that adding a probiotic supplement to the daily routine of those suffering from high blood pressure could help reduce blood pressure to more normal ranges for some patients. Additionally, it is also suggested that probiotics may also help maintain already normal blood pressure ranges for some patients. While these are preliminary findings and more research is needed to determine the exact connection between probiotics and blood pressure, these findings hold out hope of a natural way to treat this common condition that affects millions of people annually. [1] [2] [3]
Now that we have laid out many different possible health benefits that can come about from using probiotics, you may be left wondering how to go about choosing one that is of the highest quality. The following list of tips will help you narrow down your selection when faced with a wide variety of choices at the store.
CFU stands for colony forming units. This number will tell you how many live organisms are in the final product. It is best to choose a probiotic with a CFU number of at least one billion.
Many probiotics may contain only one strain of beneficial bacteria. It is ideal to choose a supplement that contains multiple strains, as specific strains work best against specific health problems. Additionally, some evidence suggests that various strains of beneficial bacteria have a synergistic effect and may be more powerful when combined with other strains.
Last but not least, all bacteria die out over time. A probiotic supplement will be a waste if the bacteria don't reach the intestines alive so that they can perform their various functions to improve your health. Choose a product that has a clear manufacturing and expiration date. Be sure to check if the product requires refrigeration and store it appropriately.
While high blood pressure has a number of causes, it is a common concern for millions of Americans. Preliminary evidence suggests that probiotics may assist in reducing high blood pressure for some, but more research is needed on this topic. However, probiotics continue to provide a slew of health benefits that can't be minimized. The addition of a high-quality probiotic supplement is certainly worth investigating.
About Rick Goldman
Rick Goldman's grandpa was a captain of a California coast cruise. This afforded Rick the luxury of traveling to exciting places along the Pacific Coast as a young boy. He got to try different, exotic foods on these journeys - something he really enjoys blogging about from his grandpa's beautiful garden home today.
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