Finding Effective Vegan Probiotics Supplements

By Lelia Hall


The importance of maintaining beneficial microbes in the intestines has been getting more and more attention. New research supports the value of bacteria-rich cultured and fermented foods, which are traditional in many cultures. Vegan probiotics supplements are helpful for those who can't consume yogurt, kefir, or cultured buttermilk because they choose to avoid foods of animal origin.

The American National Institutes of Health have begun to focus on learning more about the kinds of bacteria that exist in the human gut. They have identified many strains previously unknown, like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and hope to pinpoint their function in the body. There are also harmful microbes in the gut.

Most of these organisms are found in the large intestine, where most of digestion occurs. Some beneficial microbes keep the lining of this organ strong, which prevents leakage of undigested food into the bloodstream. 'Leaky gut syndrome' is a major cause of allergic reactions to foods. Beneficial microbes boost the immune system by suppressing harmful organisms, such as yeasts, that cause health problems. The 'good guys' also produce by-products that reduce inflammation, the underlying cause of many ailments.

Many people groups still eat a lot of fermented and cultured foods and therefore have a better chance of maintaining a healthy population of intestinal flora. Western societies tend to eat less of these probiotic-rich foods. A great deal of the so-called 'good for you' yogurt and kefir products are filled with sweeteners like sugar and high fructose corn syrup; these sweeteners are hard on good bacteria but feed yeast.

Dairy foods, even if cultured, are off-limits for vegans, who eat no animal products. They may think that this eliminates Lactobacillus for them, but actually this familiar bacterium is found in kombucha tea and green superfoods like chorella, spirulina, and blue-green algae. The superfoods are also a source of Bifidum, another beneficial microbe.

Other forms of beneficial organisms are found in fermented soy products familiar to most vegans. Tempeh, miso, and soy sauces like tamari and shoyu are rich in probiotics. Fermented foods of European cultures include sauerkraut and pickles.

Vegans don't consume foods derived from animals and prefer products that are free from any contact with animal foods, down to the colors and flavorings used in preparation. Home-made dishes are, of course, the easiest to control. However, it's now possible to find products made in dedicated facilities, where no animal foods are ever processed. This prevents cross-contamination.

People who know the value of eating right may still be too busy to cook at home or take food with them everywhere they go. This busyness also can translate into stress and a lack of physical exercise, both of which are bad for intestinal flora. For this reason, taking a probiotics supplement made specially for vegans makes a lot of sense. This is also a way to get high concentrations of one or more strains of bacteria found to promote health.




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