Health and wellness with probiotics

Did you know that the human body contains about 100 trillion bacteria? This is more than ten times the number of cells we have. Microorganisms in our gut interact with all body systems in ways that can either prevent or contribute to the development of many diseases. Optimal levels of good bacteria are not only necessary for digestive health but also for your immunity and mental health. A majority of the immune system cells originate in the gut, and only 10% of them come from the human body. The other 90% are microbial, so you can see why maintaining a healthy bacterial population is vital. 

Mr Vitamins offers a wide range of highly effective probiotic supplements to help you restore healthy gut microflora and improve digestion. You can count on us for quality products, excellent service and affordable prices.

What are probiotics? 

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria stored in dried or dissolved form. Usually, these are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria, which dominate the human digestive tract. Probiotic supplements help fill the intestines with beneficial bacteria, increase immunity and counteract pathogenic flora that can cause constipation or diarrhoea. 

Beneficial effects of taking probiotics

Probiotics are good bacteria that live in the gut and maintain normal microflora there. They help digest food and fight harmful bacteria, including common Helicobacter pylori, which causes stomach ulcers and gastritis. 

Various studies and clinical tests have evaluated the effectiveness of probiotics for treating a variety of diseases, including diabetes, obesity, digestive problems (inflammation, constipation, diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome), food allergies, rhinitis, liver diseases (cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy), acute pancreatitis and more.

Scientists also have recently uncovered a connection between gut bacteria and brain function called the gut-brain axis. The dysbiosis and inflammation of the gut have been linked to anxiety and depression, which are prevalent in today’s society. Probiotics can restore normal microbial balance, and therefore have a potential role in the treatment and prevention of anxiety, depression and other neurological conditions such as ADHD and autism.

Introducing a healthy gut flora to newborns within the first 20 days of life is crucial to their immune system maturation. An abnormal gut flora leads to compromised immunity in babies. Specially formulated supplements for women during pregnancy can help resolve this problem. In addition, a probiotic powder may be added to baby food and milk. Mr Vitamins also sells prebiotic supplements that can help feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut and encourage healthy colonisation. But any supplements should be taken only with the advice of your physician or paediatrician. 

If you are unsure of which product is right for you, please talk to one of our friendly in-store naturopaths to find out which probiotic could benefit you and your family. 

Best probiotics in Australia

There are many types of probiotics available: for example, lactobacillus-based formulations are effective for intestinal viral infections, while bifidobacteria supplements can help treat bacterial lesions of the gut. Selecting the right product should be based on individual health needs.

The best probiotic will also meet the following criteria:

• It contains many different types of bacterial strains.
• The bacteria strains in the product must be able to survive your stomach acid and bile to reach your intestines alive in adequate numbers.
• The bacteria should remain stable and viable for a long time.
• The bacteria activity must be guaranteed throughout the entire production process, storage period and shelf life of the product. 

At Mr Vitamins, you can find probiotic supplements in powder, capsule and liquid form. Vegan products are also available as well as fermented drinks. We offer Australia-wide delivery or you can purchase in-store by visiting one of our NSW stores.