National Nutrition Week is observed every year from September 1 to September 7 to highlight the importance of nutrition. The week aims to educate people about the benefits of a balanced diet, the prevention of malnutrition and the importance of making informed food choices which can help to maintain overall health and prevent lifestyle-related diseases.

There are certain nutrients that should be a part of your everyday diet as they help the body to function at the optimum level. One of them is probiotics. But, what are probiotics?

Probiotics are live microorganisms which usually have beneficial bacteria and yeasts that provide several health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. Probiotics, also known as the ‘good’ or ‘friendly’ bacteria, help to support digestion, boost your immune function and protect against harmful bacteria. They are usually found in fermented foods such as yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and miso among others. You can also take probiotic supplements.

Probiotics play an important role in your gut health. Speaking to Times Now, Shimpli Patil, Head Nutritionist and Lifestyle Expert at Luke Coutinho Holistic Healing Systems explains how probiotics help to enhance your gut microbiome health.

The gut serves as a crucial foundation for overall health, acting as a command centre for the body in regulating everything from immunity, hormones, neurotransmitters and emotional well-being due to the intricate gut-mind connection. Beyond its primary function of digesting and absorbing food, the gut is responsible for regulating nearly 70- 80 per cent of the body’s immunity function which makes it a key player in disease prevention, healing and the management of lifestyle-related diseases. Therefore, the first step to building a strong immune system starts with nurturing one’s gut health.

Patil says that a healthy gut microbiome comprises a balance of good and bad bacteria and to achieve this, it’s important to include a variety of probiotics and prebiotics in your diet.

Probiotics can be found in fermented foods and prebiotics can be found in apples, onions, garlic and bananas. These act as fuel for these good bacteria and help them thrive in the gut.

“By incorporating them into your nutrition plan, you can create an optimal environment for your gut microbiome to flourish. This, in turn, will boost your immune system, improve digestion, and enhance your overall well-being,” says Patil.

Prebiotics help to balance the gut microbiota by outcompeting harmful bacteria, thereby reducing the risk of dysbiosis. Secondly, they help in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which create a favourable environment for beneficial bacteria to flourish.

Also, probiotics help to improve the function of the gut barrier by strengthening the gut lining and producing antimicrobial substances that inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics also help to boost immune function by stimulating antibody production and enhancing the activity of immune cells, such as macrophages.

Lastly, probiotics improve your digestion by alleviating symptoms of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhoea and constipation. As a result, adding healthy probiotic supplements or natural probiotic sources into the diet is recommended for people suffering from these conditions.

Patil says, “While probiotics play a vital role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome, what is critical is building the right synergy between probiotics and prebiotics for overall health.”

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