I’m 100% ok with that because I believe it’s an area that can help a lot of runners resolve digestive issues.
BUUUUTTTT that yogurt isn’t really providing enough to actually help your gut, so I want to make sure you’re getting the best probiotic for the most benefits.
Why should you take a probiotic?
Over the last few years as I’ve interviewed many sports nutritionists and RD’s, the one supplement they almost universally agree that people should use: probiotics.
Did you know that digestive issues are on the rise in the US?
Did you know that STRESS is one of the biggest culprits behind digestives issues?
Did you know that 70-80% of your immune health starts in the gut?!!
Benefits of Probiotics
- Used consistently showed a reduction in runner GI issues (aka trots)
- Reduce the length of respiratory infections
- Deliver “good bacteria” to the intestines to balance out all that stuff listed above
- Mood improvement (extra helpful if we have to miss a run!)
- Improve nutrient absorption
- Help maintain blood glucose levels (less sugar crashes)
- Good gut health is now partially linked to runners being able to more quickly clear lactic acid, which might fight muscle fatigue
Should women take probiotics?
The benefits of a probiotic for women may be more pronounced because we often go through digestive issues related to fluctuations in hormones throughout the month and our lifetime.
So YES. Please add a HIGH QUALITY probiotic to your routine immediately. (see below to understand what you need to look for in a probiotic for it to work)
I’ve written a much longer post on impact of digestive health on our total health from appearance to mood {check it out if you haven’t!}, I won’t recap it here, but it’s a key element of why probiotics for runners are important.
This is a great graphic from Paleo Hacks on the ways your gut being out of whack can be messing with your whole day!
What are Probiotics?
Here’s what a probiotic actually is…bacteria.
Your gut consists of 70-80% bacteria and probiotics are the good bacteria, which we naturally produce. However, through all the things listed above they can get squished down and we want to supplement to give them a boost!
How to choose a probiotic?
Please don’t go buy the cheap one you see or the yogurt with 1 strain…they aren’t doing anything. You’re wasting money and your body is still asking you for help!
