4 myths about probiotics: busted!

With research suggesting that UK adults are more conscious than ever of good gut health,¹ probiotics are increasing in popularity. But, with the growth in the market, comes an increase in misunderstandings about probiotic products, how they work and their benefits.

Let’s look at the more common misconceptions and debunk the myths!

Myth: probiotics don’t really impact my health

Truth: probiotics can improve ALL areas of health & wellness!

Inside your gut, there are trillions of bacteria. Scientists estimate the exact number to be 10¹⁴ or 100,000,000,000,000! They call this natural ecosystem inside you “the microbiome”.

Your skin, digestion, sleep, and bone formation rely on your microbiome. Your energy levels, mood, allergies and immune system are all determined by it.

Any problem with your microbiome will ripple outwards through your entire body.

And here’s the problem: modern life harms your microbiome – sugar, stress, antibiotics and environmental toxins. These bad guys wipe out the good bugs in your gut, like pouring bleach into a river kills the fish.

Probiotics, like Kefir, restore the composition of the gut microbiome and introduce beneficial functions to gut microbial communities², as well as protect from harmful pathogens.³

Read more about how probiotics, like kefir, can benefit you here.

Myth: all probiotics are created equal

Truth: some are stronger & more effective than others…

The truth is, not all probiotics are created equal! Chuckling Goat Probiotic Kefir, for instance, is made with live kefir grains and goats milk, making it stronger and more effective than pill or powder form. In fact, in his BBC2 show, Trust Me I’m a Doctor, Dr. Michael Mosley demonstrated that kefir made in the traditional style, like ours, with real grains, is the most effective probiotic food available.⁴

For optimal results, we recommend choosing a high-quality, multi-strain probiotic that is supported by clinical studies to demonstrate efficacy. Our Kefir has been tested by Aberystwyth Univeristy and proven to contain ‘non-transient’ bacteria, which survive the digestive process.⁵

Other kefirs on the market may add flavourings or sweeteners, which can harm the beneficial bacteria. Chuckling Goat Kefir is pure and unflavored, for maximum therapeutic benefit.

So, when choosing your probiotic supplement, be sure to check the ingredients for any added sugars or flavourings, and always opt for live, active cultures.

Learn more about the difference between CG Probiotic Kefir and supermarket kefir here.

Myth: I don’t have health issues – I don’t need probiotics!

Truth: modern-day life exposes us to factors that damage the gut microbiome

These days, the Western diet is often full of over-processed food, sugar, simple carbs and additives. Many of us are stressed, unconsciously exposed to toxins via the food and water chain and regularly taking antibiotics. These factors kill the good bacteria living in your gut, allowing space for potentially harmful bacteria, pathogens and viruses to grow.

Science shows that probiotics restore beneficial gut bacteria⁶ and can protect the gut from further infection while taking antibiotics, as well as reduce antibiotic-associated side effects, such as diarrhoea.⁷

You can read more about how antibiotics may affect your gut health and what you can do about it here.

Further studies suggest that probiotics will help suppress the growth of pathogenic or harmful bacteria,⁸ produce metabolites that alter gut microbiota composition, boost the immune system,⁹ and protect gut barrier integrity, making for a healthier, more resilient tum!

Myth: prebiotics are more important than probiotics

Truth: prebiotics feed probiotics – you need both for optimum gut health

Prebiotics are a form of dietary fibre, and for your good gut bugs, it’s all about fibre! But, unfortunately, most British adults are failing to reach the recommended fibre intake of 30g daily – we are essentially starving our beneficial gut bacteria of the food they need to grow and thrive! Increasing fibre, and therefore prebiotic, intake is a critical step toward good gut health. But, if you’ve been starving your gut bugs of the fibre they so love and need, it’s likely you don’t have a healthy balance of good bacteria to feed!

To restore a healthy gut microbiome, you must first replenish your good gut bugs with probiotics. Then, feed those probiotics with prebiotics. Chuckling Goat Complete Prebiotic is designed to feed your gut bugs the exact complex fibres they need.

Together, Probiotic Kefir and Complete Prebiotic create a synergy that is exponentially powerful, chemical-free and contained in its own food matrix. You can read more about synbiotics (probiotics + prebiotics) here.

Want to learn more about the difference between probiotics and prebiotics? Check out Claire’s blog post here.

Any questions? Contact one of our Nutritional Therapists via live chat, weekdays from 8 am to 8 pm.