THE ONE PILL I TAKE EVERY.SINGLE.DAY (!!!)

{ favorite probiotic here }

Unfortunately I have been on antibiotics for FIVE ( ALMOST SIX ) weeks.

Let that sink in.

Yes. YUCK.

Post surgery will do that to ya.

I’m not a fan of antibiotics ( who is? ). I know, I know, they’re necessary at times & extremely helpful obviously, but that doesn’t make it any easier taking 4 a day for 5 weeks. FML.

Anyway, if you guys read The Skinny Confidential you know I’m a HUGE, HUGE fan of probiotics. I’ve talked about Kombucha ( …with champagne ) & kimchi many times but I’ve never shared this tidbit: I take an Acidophilus every.single.day.

Since…forever. Really though.

Why oh why have I not shared?

Because I’m not a doctor & I don’t want to tell you guys to do something…so I’m hesitant. But on that note, it’s also important to me to share what’s worked well for me & WHY.

Before you run out & get your own bottle of probiotics, talk to your doc & do some research.

Ok…here’s my experience/knowledge on taking a daily probiotic:

Firstly, the reason I bring this subject up is because I’M ON ANTIBIOTICS.

Let’s get gross for a second: if I DON’T take a probiotic ( or eat yogurt/drink Kombucha/chow down on Kimchi ), I get a yeast infection.

Fun times. Lemme tell ya, FUN TIMES.

And YES, I’m well aware that no one on the planet wants to talk about a fucking yeast infection. So Mr. Yeast Infection shows up when I’m on antibiotics because antibiotics strip all bacteria from your system in order to fight infections. This may sound swell but it’s not. You actually WANT good bacteria ( there’s such a thing as good bacteria!! ).

Which is why I use probiotics to prevent yeast infections instead of actually getting one & having to use a gross-ass Monistat egg ( << get it? ).

Weird? Bear with me.

Probiotics ( also known as an acidophilus ) are beneficial bacteria & micro-organisms that live in the gut. AKA ‘good bacteria.’ They help with digestion & REALLY, REALLY help absorb nutrients from food.

You want healthy, good bacteria because the good stuff helps eliminate nasty shit in the gut like bad bacteria, chemicals, & toxins.

Ok so let’s start with the difference between an acidophilus & a probiotic: “Acidophilus is a form of a probiotic. It is mainly used to aid digestion and repopulate the digestive track with good bacteria. Probiotics, those with a mix of acidophilus and other types of good bacteria, are considered broad-spectrum, meaning they work better when combined to aid more than one type of problem within the digestive tract. Probiotics that are most effective have a billion or more active organisms.” { via } .

The three main things that grow nasty bacterias are:

ANTIBIOTICS
CHLORINATED WATER
& STRESS

My favorite form of a probiotic to take is an acidophilus &/or eat a fermented food/drink.

ANOTHER WAY TO GET THOSE LOVELY PROBIOTICS?

Kombucha, duh!

Kombucha is awesome. It’s definitely a fermented food ( or drink ).

You want to drink that weird looking shit ( you know the stuff that looks just like Ursula’s Poor Little Poopsies, Fletsom/Jetsom, in The Little Mermaid? Especially when they explode? Ya those. ) at the bottom because it’s full of enzymes & probiotics.

Kefir, kimchi, raw sauerkraut, & sheep’s yogurt are fermented foods too.

Fermented foods= probiotics.

Obviously I don’t always have access to fermented foods ( especially while traveling ) so my probiotic pills really help get the job done…And when I’m on freaking antibiotics for 5 weeks I sure as hell don’t miss a day of my probiotic.

Just to make sure I’m being clear, I want to also share what this source states: “Probiotics are beneficial organisms, most of which are normally found in the healthy human gastrointestinal tract. Many different strains of probiotic organisms are in use, which have different but overlapping benefits. Probiotic organisms work through several interrelated mechanisms to promote health at the molecular level. They conquer potentially dangerous organisms in the intestine, reducing the risk of infection or toxin-mediated diseases. They regulate immune responses which enhance healthy reactions to dangerous infectious organisms, and they suppress excessive inflammation. Additionally, probiotics promote the function of the intestinal inner lining, enhancing its ability to act as a barrier to the entry of potentially dangerous organisms and chemicals.

Due to modern diets and lifestyle, as well as environmental factors such as pollution and the irresponsible overuse of antibiotics, the beneficial bacteria in your microbiome is at risk which can lead to an increased incidence in metabolic and inflammatory chronic diseases. Even simple aging gradually shifts your intestinal bacterial population towards a disease-promoting, rather than a disease-preventing, state.

The good news is that probiotics can help restore balance and cellular communications with regard to the body’s healthy bacterial population. In the digestive tract, probiotic therapy has been used to prevent or treat lactose intolerance, intestinal infections and diarrhea, gastritis and ulcers caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, colitis caused by excessive antibiotic use, inflammatory bowel diseases, and irritable bowel syndrome. They’re also proving instrumental in preventing colon cancer.”

Oh, & a little note guys: a lot of people have experienced weight loss ( because the pill helps with digestion ), more energy, & a stronger immune system when taking a daily probiotic.

This post is not sponsored, no one is paying me to say this shit, I JUST LOVE my freaking daily probiotic pill. This brand is the one I take every.single.day. If any of you recommend another great brand, I’m open to checking it out, just leave the link below.

I was drawn to this particular brand because 1.) it’s an acidophilus probiotic 2.) the benefits are insane ( “L. rhamnosus is probably the most important probiotic strain for health from the mouth to the small intestine. It protects by coating the mucus, preventing toxins from reaching the blood. It even results in better smelling breath. L. rhamnosus survives temperature extremes and is resistant to bile salts and stomach acid, ferments 23 sugars and inhibits negative bacteria and yeast growth. It is hardier and keeps better without refrigeration. Compared to L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus is 8 to 10 times more prolific, has a larger spectrum of sugar fermentation ( important for people with milk sugar intolerance ) has better control over putrefactive microbes, and is more effective at inhibiting disease-causing pathogens. L. acidophilus produces lactic acid which keeps a proper pH balance in the small intestine, inhibiting yeast growth. Studies have shown that L. acidophilus is effective in reducing lactose intolerance, inhibiting undesirable organisms in the intestine, reducing cholesterol levels and controlling diarrhea. Goat milk is an excellent environment for lactic bacteria because it helps beneficial bacteria proliferate. It also lacks a specific protein that is found in cow milk to which many people are allergic.” ), 3.) I’ve never had a yeast infection when on this specific one during any antibiotics.

YESSSS.

Typically I take one after breakfast & shoot for one after dinner ( << realness: sometimes I forget this one, but no worries because I have one in the AM ).

I’ve really done my research on this subject because it’s something I take everyday. If you’re interested in learning more, start here. This article is informative & a great place to get acquainted with a probiotic ( << especially if you have stomach/digestive problems ).

Again, JUST sharing what’s worked FOR ME. I am not you and you are not me. Do what works for YOU & as always, consult with a doctor before.

Thoughts? Anyone else take a daily probiotic?

Long post, I know, but there’s so much info about this tiny pill with powerful benefits!

Ok, your turn…weigh in, x