Most healthy people in the know are quite familiar with probiotics. They’re the beneficial bacteria and yeasts that form a microbiome throughout your body, but mostly in your gut. Probiotics are best known for supporting healthy digestion and helping to ease uncomfortable issues like gas, bloating, and occasional bowel movement irregularities.
But growing research shows that these tiny bacteria help with many functions within the gut. They help create enzymes to support digestion of certain foods, help support the protection of the gut lining / barrier, and they even help synthesize some vitamins and neurotransmitters. They’re also an essential part of your immune system function.
There are literally trillions of probiotic microorganisms living inside your body, and some of the most common and influential of these are lactic acid bacteria. The more you know about this hard-working probiotic type, the better you can care for your gut and your overall health. So, let’s take a closer look and answer the questions:
- What is lactic acid?
- What are lactic acid probiotics and their potential benefits?
- What is lactic acid fermentation?
- What are the best lactic acid probiotics for me?
What Is Lactic Acid?
Lactic acid is an organic chemical produced in your muscles. It’s probably best known as the substance that builds up during intense exercise and causes muscle soreness and fatigue. This happens when your body experiences a lack of sufficient oxygen, so it creates lactic acid to help convert glucose into energy.
What you may not know is that lactic acid is also a naturally-occurring byproduct of fermented foods and is sometimes used as a food preservative. Lactic acid probiotics are the microorganisms responsible for this process, and they are some of the most prolific and important probiotics in your body.
What Are Lactic Acid Probiotics and Their Potential Benefits?
Lactic acid probiotics are a type of beneficial bacteria that produce lactic acid during fermentation. (More on this in a moment.) There are many lactic acid probiotic strains and they primarily fall under the genus Lactobacillus.They are some of the most well-researched and well-regarded probiotics known to man. Here are some of the top things that they can do for your good health:
Maintain Happy Gut Health
Most people consume probiotics, including lactic acid probiotics, to support a healthy gut microbiome. Foods rich in lactic acid and probiotic supplements like Probulin Total Care Probiotics help support a strong gut lining, healthy digestion, and bowel movements. And because over 70% of your immune system is housed in your gut, these probiotics also play a major role in supporting your immune function.
What is Lactic Acid Fermentation?
Lactic acid fermentation is a process where lactic acid probiotics ferment different foods. And while you may ask what is lactic acid fermentation?, you likely know many of the foods that are the result. Some popular examples of these foods include:
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Kimchi
- Sauerkraut
- Sourdough bread
- Pickled veggies
- Miso
This fermentation process is a way to preserve fresh, raw foods so that they can be shelf-stable and eaten later. It also increases the lactic acid probiotic content of these foods, which is why they are considered healthful additions to your diet.
What Are the Best Lactic Acid Probiotics For Me?
As we mentioned earlier, lactic acid bacteria are abundant and well researched. Science indicates that some of the most powerful strains include:
- L. acidophilus
- L. fermentum
- L. rhamnosus
- L. reuteri
- L. brevis
- L. bulgaricus
- L. helveticus
You’ll find all of these in Probulin’s Total Care Probiotic.
Of the formula’s 20 billion CFUs, 8.7 billion come from an advanced Lactobacillus Fermentation Blend, derived from organic beet, kale, raspberry, fig and blueberry. It’s an excellent (and easy) way to reap the benefits of lactic acid bacteria on a regular basis.
You can check out our awesome Probulin’s Total Care Probiotic here or browse other favorites in the Probulin Probiotic Line!