
Probiotics are a supplemental form of healthy bacteria used to recolonize the gut. The gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, the balance and composition of which affect everything from nutrient assimilation to immune health. Most people with fibromyalgia also suffer from intestinal bowel syndrome, another condition with no known cause or cure. Probiotics can help relieve the symptoms of IBS.
According to Katherine Zerensky, nutritionist at the Mayo Clinic, probiotics, the "good" bacteria in the gut, may help with digestion and offer protection from the destructive properties of "bad" bacteria. Probiotics can be taken in supplement form or attained from foods such as yogurt, miso, and some juice or soy drinks. Look for labels with wording such as "live and active cultures."
Probiotics may help treat conditions such as diarrhea, IBS, intestinal infections and may even prevent or reduce the severity of colds and flu. Probiotics may help anyone who has recently taken antibiotics, since antibiotics strip the gut of bacteria, including your good bacteria.
Probiotics are often a useful tool to relieve the IBS symptoms that afflict most fibromyalgia patients. But what happens if you're unsure if these jewels that keep that bloating and weight gain down are not working?After all, we are not scientists here and can easily be plagued for months before noting what is actually causing these new found symptoms. Luckily, there is a simple test to see if you've got an inactive probiotic on hand.
Tools:
2 liquid containers, cleaned and dry
1 cup of regular milk.
2-3 sample probiotic pills from your bottle.
Instructions:
Pour 1/2 cup of regular milk in each container.
Split open your pills and sprinkle the contents into ONE of the containers. Mix it well into the milk.
Wait 8-10 hour to check the results.
Results:
If the milk containing the probitic curdles, clumps or firms, it is proven to be active. If the milk appears the same in both containers (watery and not curdled), you have an inactive bottle. Get your money back!