Tilting the scales in favor of reproductive health is similar to, if not identical to boosting general health. Whether you’re trying to conceive or not, taking a good probiotic will boost your immune system enabling your body to effectively combat potential pathogenic invaders.

A weakened immune system will borrow from other sources if it doesn’t have the capacity to fight an infection. Perhaps the digestive and/or endocrine will have to chip in to help out, thereby impacting those systems. All of our biological systems, cardiac, vascular, neurological, endocrine… are interdependent. That’s why we want balanced, whole health.

Our body has ten times more bacteria, in and on our bodies than cells. We used to think that “bacteria” was bad and the reason we get sick. Now we know that our body has its own ecosystem made up of billions of microorganisms. It’s important to feed the friendly bacteria so that it can keep the harmful bacteria in check or in balance. If the harmful or opportunistic bacteria get out of balance, as in candida or ecoli, it will rob our body of essential nutrients and create a toxic environment, potentially circulating throughout the body.

Just as you want to feed your cells essential micronutrients, it’s as important to feed your friendly bacteria. A diet of whole, organic produce, clean water, healthy proteins, carbohydrates and fats might be enough if we all ate really wisely. But our food supply is not as nutrient dense as it used to be and we don’t always make wise choices. That’s why we take supplements/vitamins.

Enter: Probiotics (for life).

It’s best to find a probiotic that contains a wide variety of bacterial strains. Most probiotics will include the two major strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria bifidum, however a better probiotic will include several more strains.

The product label should identify the genus, species and strain of each probiotic contained in the product, the number of live microorganisms that are delivered in each serving or dose, and describe health benefits that have been substantiated.

Here are some examples to look for:

Lactobacillus Acidophillus:  Digestive support, cholesterol regulation, anti-microbial
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus:  Diarrhea relief, anxiety, and weight management
Lactobacillus Bulgaricus:  Lactose intolerance prevention and diarrhea relief/prevention
Lactobacillus Plantarum:  Digestive and cardiovascular support
Lactobacillus Casei:  Leaky gut, cardiovascular health
Bifidobacterium Longum:  Digestive support, weight management, anti-carcinogenic
Bifidobacterium Breve:  Digestive support and enables other healthy bacteria

Choose a product that is microencapsulated so that it doesn’t dissolve in the stomach
before it ever reaches the intestines.

There is a saying that all disease starts in the gut. If that’s so, then health can start there
too. Tilt the scales in your favor. Find yourself a probiotic and feed your friendly bacteria.