Probiotics to ease constipation

So-called probiotics are bacteria that support your digestion and protect your immune system. But what is really true about the theory that probiotics are the solution to constipation?

Your intestine needs bacteria! Every day we swallow billions of bacteria and many of them end up unharmed in the intestine. The “good” bacteria that arrive there alive in sufficient numbers are called probiotics. Did you know that the Latin term probiotics means something like “for life”? The term refers to a very special group of microorganisms. Products containing probiotics are offered as dietary supplements, among other things, and have a reputation for making us healthier in the long term.

However, there are also foods that naturally contain probiotic microorganisms (for example, fermented dairy products, fermented vegetables). Those who can not consume dairy products, we are offering dairy-free Colondrink. It is vegan probiotic drink which contains 900 trillion bacteria and 27 strains. Probiotic microorganisms are also contained in some medicines. They are supposed to develop their effect in the intestine. This is where the majority of bacteria found in the human organism are located, where they perform the following tasks, among others:

• Aid in digestion/ digestion of nutrients.
• Support of the immune system.
• Displacement of harmful microbes.
• Influence on the gut-brain axis.

Collectively, all microorganisms, including not only a wide variety of bacterial species, but also yeasts and other microorganisms, are referred to by experts as the “microbiome.” Microorganisms are found almost everywhere in and on the body. Depending on the species involved, we then speak, for example, of the intestinal, skin or even vaginal microbiome. Not only depending on the body region, but also from person to person all these microbiomes differ from each other…

However, most of the inhabitants of our body are found in the intestine and are referred to in their entirety as the intestinal microbiome. Commonly, however, the vernacular term “gut flora” (or skin flora or bacterial flora) is still used synonymously. Strictly speaking, the term “flora” rather suggests plant cells and is scientifically incorrect.

Health-promoting bacteria include, for example, lactic acid bacteria. Some bacteria are dangerous, such as certain types of coliform bacteria (certain E. coli species). Most of these bacteria are useful and necessary, but others can sometimes cause life-threatening infections. In a healthy organism, the microbiome is balanced. Potential disease triggers do occur, but are controlled and inhibited in their spread by the other bacteria.

Probiotics: More than just bacteria

Commercials for certain foods like to advertise slogans that promise “healthy gut flora.” The fact is that probiotics are essential for your intestines, because they provide the right and necessary balance. Is it really possible to provide the best possible support to your gut with probiotic foods?

We already know fermenting organisms as “probiotics” on certain foods, such as lactic acid bacteria in milk, lactic acid bacteria in flour that turn it into sourdough, or lactic acid bacteria that turn cabbage into sauerkraut. Fermentation has the “side effect” of preserving food.

What sounds unappetizing to many people is actually served on a regular basis: Black tea, for example, consists of fermented tea leaves. Salami is first ripened by bacteria. Even the sourdough in bread is nothing more than fermented flour. Every day, lactic acid fermentation provides us with products that have only come into being through fermentation. These include yogurt, buttermilk, kefir and sauerkraut.

By the way, not only bacteria can have a probiotic effect, but also certain yeasts. Sourdough is a mixture of different lactic acid bacteria and yeasts, as is kefir ferment. Also, yeasts alone can have a probiotic effect and also ferment foods, making them shelf-stable.

Constipation: the symptoms

It is known that some bacteria stimulate intestinal motility, while others have the opposite effect. Bacteria that produce a lot of lactic acid can thus also partially soften the stool because the lactic acid binds water in the food pulp. A larger volume of food pulp in turn has a stimulating effect on bowel movement.

In the case of constipation, those affected suffer from the feeling of not being able to pass stool. This can be accompanied by pain and flatulence. Due to the long retention time of the food pulp in the intestine, the stool often becomes hard. This can be unpleasant and painful when going to the toilet. Often the affected person feels as if the bowel cannot be completely emptied. Attempts are then often made to gain relief by pressing hard. More than one third of the population feels affected by such problems.

Over time, the bowel can become sluggish. Why? It has to do a lot of work in digestion.

Emptying as such is a specially regulated process, carried out with the function of numerous nerve circuits between the sphincters at the end of the intestine, the spinal cord and the brain. Constipation of the bowel is sometimes due to altered or disturbed interaction of nerve impulses.

Typical symptoms of constipation include:

• Lumpy, hard stool
• Feeling of incomplete bowel emptying
• Feeling of blockage of the anus
• Effort
• Urge to push hard
• Fewer than three bowel movements a week

Probiotics: Not only useful for constipation

As early as 2004, the German Society for Nutrition recognized some health-promoting effects in its nutrition report. According to this report, the microbes reduce the amount of harmful breakdown products in the intestine.

Probiotics can therefore be useful not only for constipation, but also:

• In diarrheal diseases
• In chronic inflammatory bowel diseases
• For the prevention of allergies and infections in premature infants
• It is clear that many of the probiotic microbes do not settle permanently in the intestine, but only remain there for a few hours, days or weeks and do their work. Nevertheless, they intervene in the metabolism by inhibiting the growth of harmful germs. In addition, they produce all kinds of metabolic products that can have effects in our bodies, right down to every cell.

Many of the microbial metabolites have hormone-like effects all the way into our central nervous system. For example, some bacteria produce hormones that trigger the signal of satiety in our brain. This is an extremely important function: large intestinal villi improve the absorption of nutrients, minerals and vitamins. The more stable they are, the less “waste” they let through.

Another major role of probiotics is defense against unwanted invaders. After all, the gut is their home and they protect it! So, if a harmful bacterium comes into view, lactic acid bacteria in the gut produce lactic acid and other acids. Pathogenic bacteria do not like this and therefore have difficulty settling and multiplying there. They are therefore displaced by the lactic acid bacteria.

Probiotics for a healthy intestine

A healthy intestine is therefore home to many lactic acid bacteria… We benefit from this around the clock. Sometimes it happens that our well-functioning microbiome is attacked.

This can happen either through antibiotics, poor nutrition, diseases or even stress. In this case, the intestine can no longer perform the aforementioned tasks smoothly. Then it is important that the microorganisms, which have been decimated after therapy, recover so that the health-promoting “subtenants” can multiply again.

A doctor can help you in this case and tell you what your intestine needs at these times so that the beneficial bacteria can better re-colonize. Be sure to take the probiotics according to the recommendations on the product package or those of your doctor or pharmacist. Also keep an eye on the best-before date: expired products can reduce the effectiveness of the bacteria they contain.

Which probiotics help with constipation?

Probiotic bacteria, on the other hand, can of course also be attacked by antibiotics. Nevertheless, there are some probiotic bacteria that are especially suitable for the accompanying use with antibiotics. Again, consult your doctor to effectively support your gut during antibiotic treatment.

Another very well researched probiotic bacterial species is E.coli Nissle 1917, which was isolated from the stool of a war returnee who, unlike his comrades, never suffered from severe diarrhea. Many studies have been conducted with this bacterium since then. Since then, it has been clear that E.coli Nissle 1917 has been proven to help with intestinal disorders.

Most probiotic products have something in common: the ingested bacteria disappear again from the intestine as soon as you stop taking them regularly.

The weaknesses of probiotic food and dietary supplements

There is no magic formula to cure every individual’s intestinal ailments. Therefore, you should also be aware of the weaknesses of probiotics. The stomach passage alone is a fight for survival for bacteria. If the number of good bacteria arriving alive in the intestine is too low, you will not be able to achieve the desired effects.

The question of whether probiotic foods can actually support your intestinal flora and thus combat constipation, for example, must be clarified on an individual basis. What is certain, however, is that the right probiotics in appropriate doses can provide great support for your intestines. In particular, fermented foods such as sauerkraut are very suitable especially for people with frequent constipation and can strengthen the intestinal flora.

Nevertheless, a drastic and sudden change in diet is not advisable. For example, if your intestines are not used to the regular intake of fermented foods such as sauerkraut, you may also experience discomfort. It makes sense to make the change slowly, gradually trying out specific fermented foods. If you want to use probiotic foods from the supermarket shelf, caution is also advised. Probiotic bacteria can only develop their desired effect if they are taken regularly. So if you only eat a probiotic yogurt occasionally, you will not be able to hope for any noticeable effect. That’s why we recommend dairy-free probiotic drink COLONDRINK, it has 900 trillion bacteria and 27 strains!

Probiotics against constipation: A miracle cure?

While probiotics are a very good addition to our diet in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle, they should not be understood as a miracle cure. Coupled with the use of medical probiotics, exercise and a healthy diet, however, they can relieve symptoms such as constipation.

Probiotics for constipation: How to give your intestines a helping hand

Previous studies have shown that the living strains of bacteria can support the intestinal flora.

Regular consumption of colon drink should be at the top of your priority list if you want to make an impact.