Even though we can’t see them through our naked eyes, we despise them.

Just thinking about them makes us feel icky and causes our skin to crawl.

But what if I told you that trillions of bacteria are crawling on your skin right now?

They’re in the air you breathe, the food you eat, and on the very device you’re using to read this article…

You might be very curious to know how to get rid of these notorious microscopic disease-bringing things.

That’s how bacteria have been painted in our minds since childhood, and we bring this seemingly absolute idea into our adult life.

But are ALL bacteria bad?

To answer this question, let’s first answer this question: What are bacteria anyway?

Bacteria are very tiny single-celled microorganisms that thrive in millions and in diverse environments—they can live in soil, water, and inside the human gut.

They have gained such a wicked reputation because their name has been strongly linked with illnesses, something that bacteria DO inflict.

Some illnesses brought by bacteria are strep throat, urinary tract infections (UTI), and tuberculosis.

They can even spread viruses to millions upon millions of people and create a plague.

Considering these facts, it becomes more convincing to think that bacteria bring no good to anyone or anything.

However, to answer our overarching question—are all bacteria bad?—the simple answer is NO.

Yes, SOME bacteria are harmful, but the truth is that MOST of them serve an important purpose.

There are actually more beneficial bacteria than there are bad!

In fact, of all the bacteria you have in your body, a healthy balance is 85% good bacteria and 15% bad bacteria.

You have about 100 trillion helpful bacteria living in your body right now.

So, in contrast to what you have been led to believe since you’re a kid, there are bad bacteria, but there are also good ones!

Today, we’re going to focus the discussion on the good guys.

This might be surprising to learn, but good bacteria, more popularly known as probiotics (will be called so from here on), are not only good for you but are essential in keeping you healthy.

You NEED probiotics to survive.

It’s true.

Probiotics are actually part of a bigger picture which concerns your microbiome.

A microbiome is a diverse community of organisms that work together in order to keep your body healthy.

This community is composed of microbes, which you have trillions of.

These microbes are a combination of

✔️         bacteria

✔️         fungi (including yeasts)

✔️         viruses

✔️         protozoa

No two people—not even twins—have the same microbial cells.

For a microbe to be called a “probiotic,” it must be able to…

✔️         be isolated from a human

✔️         survive in your intestine after being eaten

✔️         have a proven benefit

✔️         be safely consumed

Probiotics live mostly in your gut, but you can also find them in your…

✔️         mouth

✔️         vagina

✔️         urinary tract

✔️         skin

✔️         lungs

You might probably have read the word “probiotics” labelled on health drinks or some foods, especially yogurts, when you go grocery shopping.

These are live bacteria and yeasts that are beneficial for you, especially to your digestive system, which is composed of your mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus.

Probiotics are made up of over a thousand different species and over 5,000 strains.

They are helpful in maintaining a balance between helpful bacteria and unhelpful bacteria, which supports a healthy digestive.

Did you know that more than 70% of your immune system is contained in your gut?

This is why it’s imperative that you put greater attention on maintaining its health.

To understand probiotics more, you first need to understand the gut or digestive system.

The organs belonging to this system have been mentioned previously.

The digestive system is responsible for taking whole foods and processing them into energy and essential nutrients that our bodies need in order to function, grow, and repair themselves.

There are six main processes that occur in the digestive system when you eat, as stated in an article in Innerbody Research…

1.    Ingestion of food

2.    Secretion of fluids and digestive enzymes

3.    Mixing and movement of food and wastes through the body

4.    Digestion of food into smaller pieces

5.    Absorption of nutrients

6.    Excretion of wastes

Unfortunately, your digestive system cannot extract all the necessary nutrients you need from the foods you eat.

The good news is that probiotics aid digestion and improve nutrient absorption.

Each of us has about 100,000 billion viable microbes (collectively called the microbiome) living inside our intestines.

The microbiome is a huge army of microbes that defend us against germs, break down foods to harness energy, and produce vitamins to keep us healthy.

Ninety-five percent of the microbiome in the body lives in the large intestine.

A person weighing 70kg would have microbiomes weighing about 200g, which is equivalent to a medium-sized mango.

Interesting, huh?

Let’s dive into some more interesting things about bacteria, shall we?

8 Interesting Facts about Bacteria

1.    They’re the oldest known life-form on earth—they’ve been here before us, for more than 3.5 billion years old!

2.    Your body has ten times more bacterial cells than human cells.

3.    Various bacteria can survive in the harshest conditions, such as ice, hot places, and even radioactive materials.

4.    Of all the bacteria on earth, less than one percent will make you sick.

5.    They’re very quick—typically moving about a hundred times their body length in a second.

6.    Most bacterial cells in your body are good.

7.    Bacteria can take weird shapes, such as a sphere, rod, or spiral.

8.    They adapt fast, which makes it hard for an antibiotic to work consistently. That’s why if you take antibiotics often, the bacteria in your body can become resistant.

Clearly, bacteria are such interesting organisms.

And while many of us strongly believe in the notion that bacteria are always harmful, science begs to disagree.

Science says humans NEED bacteria, particularly probiotics, to survive.

But you might be wondering HOW this is the case.

So, let’s delve into the role of probiotics in health.

Role of Probiotics in Health

A journal article from the US National Library of Medicine summarizes the relation of probiotics to our health as follows…

✔️         Probiotics are helpful microbes.

✔️         They can compete with unhelpful microbes and colonize the digestive system.

✔️         They can ferment food into simpler byproducts and can promote health through various mechanisms.

✔️         They remove the side effect of pathogens or harmful microbes.

✔️         They supply the body with useful byproducts.

✔️         They reduce the work the digestive system has to do.

✔️         They reduce the effect of the first attack of harmful compounds, instead of our cells, by their biofilm, which protects our digestive system.

✔️         They reduce the amount of food needed by our bodies because of the proper digestion and metabolism of any amount of food.

✔️        In some cases, they could complement the deficiency in our genetic materials by helping us borrow the product of their genes.

Those are the sciency roles of probiotics to our health.

But in what practical ways do they actually benefit us?

Probiotics help in…

✔️         improving the immune system

✔️         creating vitamins

✔️         protecting against hostile bacteria to prevent infection

✔️         improving digestion and absorption of food and nutrients

✔️         creating a physical barrier against unfriendly bacteria

✔️         preventing bacterial imbalance caused by taking antibiotics

✔️         breaking down protein and fat in the gut, which is especially valuable to help infants, toddlers, or patients who need to build strength during and after an illness

Furthermore…

·         Probiotics assist in balancing the beneficial bacteria in your gut

When there is an imbalance in your gut, this means that there are too many bad bacteria and insufficient good ones. This can happen because of illness, medication (e.g., antibiotics), an unhealthy diet, and others. An imbalance in your gut can lead to digestive issues, allergies, mental health problems, obesity, and more.

·         Probiotics can aid in preventing and treating diarrhea

This is one popular benefit of probiotics to human health. Diarrhea is a common side effect of taking antibiotics because antibiotics harm the balance of good and bad bacteria in the digestive system. Various studies have reported that probiotics are linked to a reduced risk of diarrhea caused by antibiotics. Effectiveness depends on the type and dose of the probiotic taken.

·         Probiotic supplements can help improve some mental health issues

More and more studies suggest that there is a link between digestive health and mental health. Both animal and human studies discover that probiotic supplements can improve some mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, stress, and memory.

·         Probiotics can help maintain heart health

Certain probiotic strains may help keep the heart healthy by lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure. A review of five studies discovered that eating a probiotic yogurt for two to eight weeks lowered total cholesterol by four percent and bad cholesterol by five percent.

·         Probiotics may decrease the severity of some allergies and eczema

A study reported that symptoms of eczema improved for infants that were fed probiotic-fortified milk, in comparison to those who were fed milk without probiotics. Furthermore, another study conducted on children of women who took probiotics during pregnancy found that the said children had an 83% lower risk of having eczema in the first two years of their lives. Some probiotics may also reduce inflammatory reactions in people who have milk or dairy allergies, but this still needs to be researched further.

Aside from the above-mentioned benefits of probiotics, they can also help in combatting health conditions, including…

❌         constipation

❌         diarrhea

❌         eczema

❌         gum disease

❌         inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

❌         irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

❌         lactose intolerance

❌         sepsis

❌         upper respiratory infections

❌         urinary tract infections (UTIs)

❌         sepsis

❌         yeast infections

Probiotics vs. Prebiotics: How Do They Differ?

Like probiotics, you’ve probably heard about prebiotics as well.

But what’s the difference between these two?

Probiotics and prebiotics are both essential for human health.

However, they have a simple yet distinct difference:

·         Probiotics – These are living strains of bacteria that are beneficial to your digestive system. They are found in certain foods or supplements.

·         Prebiotics – These are specialized plant fiber that performs as food for probiotics, which initiate growth among the preexisting beneficial bacteria.

In a nutshell, probiotics contribute to your disease-fighting army, and prebiotics feed and support the health of that army.

So, how can you get more probiotics and prebiotics to feed them?

Well, look no further than your diet.

Your diet can either promote or destroy probiotics and prebiotics in your body.

If you eat foods that are high in sugar or fat, this can feed the bad bacteria in your gut instead and have an advantage over your army.

To support better gut health, here’s a list of foods you should add to your diet…

Probiotic-rich foods

✔️         Miso soup

✔️         Sauerkraut

✔️         Kimchi

✔️         Kombucha

✔️         Kefir (dairy and non-dairy)

✔️         Pickled vegetables

Prebiotic-rich foods

✔️         Bananas

✔️         Onions

✔️        Garlic

✔️         Berries

✔️         Legumes

✔️         Beans

✔️         Peas

✔️         Oats asparagus

✔️         Leeks

✔️         Apple skin

Or, you can take probiotic supplements to ensure you’re getting enough of these beneficial bacteria in your system.

Now, there are many types of probiotics.

It’s important to know this because different probiotics have different effects.

Today, we’re going to focus on the two most common ones:

✔️         Lactobacillus; and

✔️         Bifidobacterium lactis

Let’s delve into each one of them.

Lactobacillus

Health products that contain lactobacillus are popular, especially in North America, Europe, and Asia.

But why is it so popular?

Lactobacillus is a type of beneficial bacteria that is from the family Lactobacillaceae.

It’s a rod-shaped bacillus from milk and is characterized by its ability to produce lactase, which is the enzyme that is responsible for breaking down lactose or milk sugar.

Also, these bacteria produce lactic acid, which helps control the population of bad bacteria.

Lactobacillus also benefits the body by:

✔️         regulating the immune system

✔️         serving as a muscle fuel

✔️         improving the body’s mineral absorption

✔️         helping protect the body from chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease

✔️         stopping pathogens from colonizing the digestive system

✔️         helping to feed other bacteria in the gut

In addition, some people orally take lactobacillus for digestion problems, such as:

✔️         irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

✔️         inflammatory bowel disease

✔️         inflammation of the colon

✔️         excessive bacterial growth in the intestines

✔️         constipation

Lactobacillus is basically a very useful weapon in your gut army.

And it has many subtypes, two of them being

✔️         Lactobacillus plantarum

✔️         Lactobacillus paracasei

Lactobacillus plantarum

If you’re looking for something to improve your gut health and strengthen your immune system, look no further.

Lactobacillus plantarum is often the natural solution for such cases.

Furthermore, these beneficial bacteria can

✔️         stimulate the digestive system

✔️         combat disease-causing bacteria

✔️         help the body produce vitamins

✔️         rev up the immune system

✔️         sharpen memory

✔️        enhance athletic performance

✔️         aid weight loss

Also, some experts say that it can prevent health issues, including:

✔️         anxiety

✔️         diabetes

✔️         eczema

✔️         high blood pressure

✔️        high cholesterol

✔️         inflammatory bowel diseases

In addition, here are some possible health benefits of Lactobacillus plantarum, according to research…

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – Some clinical trials have reported that this probiotic may help reduce some symptoms of IBS. A 2012 study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology reports that lactobacillus plantarum reduced pain and bloating in 214 people with IBS.
• Eczema – A small clinical trial published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology in 2012 that involved 83 children with atopic dermatitis found that those who were given lactobacillus plantarum experienced greater improvement in symptoms compared to those who received a placebo.
• Heart Health – According to a small study published in Nutrition in 2014, this probiotic may help protect cardiovascular health in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome. Twenty-four postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome ingested two kinds of milk every day for 90 days—non-fermented milk or fermented milk with lactobacillus plantarum. After 90 days, those who consumed lactobacillus plantarum showed greater improvements in some cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood sugar levels, than those who consumed the non-fermented milk.

Lactobacillus paracasei

This is a probiotic bacterial strain that is usually found in the mouth and intestinal tract.

It is a species of lactic acid bacteria that is commonly used in fermenting dairy products and grows well in ripening cheese.

Plus, it’s very great at breaking down proteins into amino acids, reducing the side effects of dairy products, and regulating intestinal transit.

Let’s jump straight into its benefits…

Lactobacillus paracasei is known to have positive effects on health, specifically:

• Boosting the immune system – Studies suggest that children who consume cow’s milk or rice with this probiotic are less likely to catch infectious diseases when attending daycare. Studies conducted on mice have also reported that lactobacillus paracasei improves immunity function by increasing the production of cytokines, a kind of molecule that signals and regulates immunity. It has also been found to improve the activity of natural killer cells, lymphocyte proliferation, and antibody production. If that’s not enough, this potent probiotic has even been found to reduce the symptoms of influenza virus infection in mice and increase the survival rate of mice with E. coli.
• Acting as an anti-inflammatory agent – As you may probably already know, there are so many various diseases caused by inflammation, so this particular benefit of lactobacillus paracasei is very significant. It combats infection and controls bodily inflammatory processes by increasing the production of cytokines, which are pro-inflammatory chemicals. It also helps improve nasal symptoms and inflammation of the airway that result from hay fever and other seasonal allergies. Several studies have also shown that it is especially effective in allergic rhinitis, helping with improving symptoms of nasal congestion, swollen eyes, and itchy eyes.
• Improving digestion – If you look closely at probiotic formulas for improving gut health, you are likely to see lactobacillus paracasei in the ingredients as it helps improve the number of other probiotics in the gut while also decreasing bad bacteria. In addition, it helps fortify the intestinal barrier and increase the nutrient absorption of foods.
• It has been proven that a combination of a high-fiber diet and regular supplementation of lactobacillus paracasei is effective in alleviating the following health conditions:
• Abdominal bloating
• Prolonged abdominal pain
• Infant diarrhea

Bifidobacterium lactis

This strain of probiotics is a superstar for gut health.

It’s a multipurpose and powerful probiotic strain that has been scientifically proven to combat tumor growth, improve digestion, and enhance immunity functions.

Aside from these, it is also responsible for breaking down body waste and helping with the absorption of vitamins and minerals in the digestive system.

• Helping fight tumor growth – Some studies have proven that this probiotic is effective in combatting cancerous tumors. It does so by improving the bodily function of actively killing tumors. It has also been shown to have a possibility of preventing colitis-associated cancer and has been proven to offer healing effects on inflammatory bowel disease.
• Helping regulate the immune system – Bifidobacterium lactis can lower the frequency and severity of respiratory diseases. In addition, evidence suggests that it can increase vaccination immune response in infants of mothers who supplemented with this probiotic during pregnancy. So, infants become more protected by the vaccine quicker than those infants without supplementation of the said probiotic.
• Helping improve digestive health – Bifidobacterium lactis plays an important role in boosting general digestive health through various important functions. It can decrease leaky gut, which means this probiotic makes it harder for foreign materials to travel the gut wall and into the rest of the body. Through this, the probiotic can maintain a tighter leash on what foreign substances make it to the rest of the body and decrease the risk of harmful conditions, including autoimmune diseases. It has also been shown to decrease the toxic effects of gluten on the intestinal lining, which can help prevent Celiac diseases. It can also help with the digestion of lactose in individuals who are lactose intolerant.

Furthermore, Bifodobacterium lactis may contribute positively in the following conditions…

• Constipation – Plenty of research shows that supplementing this probiotic can increase bowel movements by about 1.5 stools a week in people who have constipation.
• Digestive tract infection – Along with lactobacillus and H. pylori therapy, this may help stave off H. pylori infections more effectively. It can also reduce the side effects of such infections, like diarrhea.
• IBS or Irritable bowel syndrome – Many research suggest that taking bifidobacteria for 4 to 8 weeks can alleviate the symptoms of IBS, such as stomach pain and bloat. It may also help reduce mental health issues related to IBS, like anxiety and depression.
• Ulcerative colitis – According to research, taking this probiotic along with lactobacillus and streptococcus can help reduce symptoms by almost two-fold in people with active ulcerative colitis.

Bifidobacterium lactis may also help treat the following conditions:

• Lung infections
• Certain kinds of diarrhea
• Necrotizing enterocolitis (a type of infection in the intestinal lining that results from harmful bacteria)
• Pouchitis (a complication of surgery for ulcerative colitis)

If your gut health is compromised, you might experience the following symptoms:

❌        Gas, bloating, diarrhea

❌         Weight gain

❌         Sugar cravings

❌         Frequent bad breath

❌         Food allergies and sensitivities

❌         Chronic, pervasive joint pain

❌         Moodiness, depression, and anxiety

❌         Skin problems, like eczema and acne

❌         Type 2 diabetes

These are the warning signs that you might need to rev up the condition of your digestive system.

But even if you don’t experience any of these, you still need to ensure you’re taking good care of your gut.

Remember, a large portion of your immune system relies on your digestive health.

Read on to learn what you should and should not do to keep your gut healthy. 

The Do’s and Don’ts of Gut Health

The Do’s

✔️         Eat plenty of plant-based foods – To keep your gut healthy, you need to have a diverse community of microbes, each of which needs various foods.

✔️         Consume more fiber – Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and wholegrains feed healthy gut bacteria.

✔️         Avoid highly processed foods – These foods often contain elements that either destroy beneficial bacteria or increase bad bacteria.

✔️         Eat more probiotic foods – Probiotic foods like yogurt might encourage more microbes to grow.

✔️         Choose extra-virgin olive oil over other fats – This contains the highest number of microbe-friendly polyphenols.

✔️         Hydrate regularly – If your diet is low in fiber, an abrupt increase can result to bloating. To lessen the possibility of this happening, drink more water throughout the day.

The Don’ts

❌         Do not eat while stressed or angry – Stress can result in stomach upset, so ensure you practice stress-relieving exercises before you have your meal.

❌         Do not lie down immediately after a meal – Lying down immediately after eating makes it more likely for your stomach acid to travel up into your esophagus and cause acid reflux symptoms. So, try to wait three to four hours after eating before you lie down or sleep.

❌         Do not postpone bathroom trips – If you repeatedly hold urine in, this may lead to constipation problems.

❌         Do not (or avoid) eat fatty and fried foods – These foods can move through the body too quickly while still undigested. This can result in diarrhea, or it can cause make the food to stay in your digestive tract for too long and lead to feeling full and bloated.

Another bonus tip on keeping your gut healthy is to take a probiotic supplement.

But don’t take just any other probiotic supplement—ensure it’s Probiotic-40!

Probiotic-40: The Only Probiotic Supplement You Should Take

You might be wondering what Probiotic-40 is…

Well, let me tell you right now.

Probiotic-40…

✔️   Is a blend of 4 strains (40 billion CFU/g) of probiotic bacteria

✔️   Is designed to provide a high potency and balance of beneficial bacteria

✔️   When taken regularly, it can help assist in maintaining healthy intestinal flora.

✔️   Contains 40 billion CFU, prebiotics that helps to maintain healthy intestinal flora.

✔️    Offers benefits, such as easing digestion and nutrient absorption and strengthens the immune system.

Who needs to take Probiotic-40?

If you are someone who has…

⚠️        gas

⚠️        bloat

⚠️        constipation

⚠️        leaky gut

⚠️        digestive issues

⚠️       weight problems

⚠️        intestinal health issues

Adding Probiotic-40 to your diet may give you the relief you need…

Or, if you’re someone who wants to keep your digestive health as healthy as can be, then this one’s also for you…

Keep your stomach healthy and happy with the proprietary blend of Probiotic-40.

What strains of probiotics are in Probiotic-40?

This formula is made up of 4 types of probiotic bacteria that act together and individually in order to increase the range of functions and benefits for intestinal health, such as:

Lactobacillus for your immunity…

Bifidobacterium lactis for relieving and diminishing digestive issues, like diarrhea…

Lactobacillus plantatum for improving your immunity and nutrient absorption…

Lactobacillus paracasei for assimilating foods better and reducing the effects of dairy products…

What are the health benefits of Probiotic-40?

With over 40 Billion probiotics to help replenish your body’s healthy gut and intestinal flora, Probiotic-40…

✔️ Combats and may prevent intestinal diseases (e.g., colitis, constipation, and more)

✔️  Helps manage the integrity of the gut, which has a host of benefits

✔️ Prevents Leaky Guy Syndrome, which can lead to a breakdown in the immune system and a rise in toxins crossing into the bloodstream.

✔️ Improves mental health disorders (e.g., anxiety and depression)

✔️ May help lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure

✔️ May help reduce the severity of some food allergies which are triggered in the gut

✔️ Supports the body’s natural defenses

✔️ Provides stronger resistance and greater well-being

✔️ Improves digestive health

✔️ Aids weight loss

✔️✓ May help prevent allergies and imbalances

✔️ Can clear skin issues, such as acne and other blemishes

✔️ Supports the absorption of vitamins and minerals

✔️ Promotes stronger immune system

If such a long list of health benefits isn’t enough, here’s more…

✔️ Probiotic-40 is proudly made in the USA

✔️ From an FDA-registered manufacturing facility under the strict guidance by GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)

✔️ And third-party tested for quality and potency…

Without a doubt, Probiotic-40 is a beneficial addition to your daily multivitamin.

We recommend taking two capsules a day, one in the morning and one at night, with food and water.

The answer to good health is a good gut.

Keep your gut healthy, take Probiotic-40…

Order Probiotic-40 today!