Traveling the world can be enriching, but it can also take a toll on our digestive system. Changes in diet, water, and sleeping patterns can lead to discomfort, which makes it challenging to fully enjoy your journey. But there are ways you can help to protect and prepare your body. So, let’s explore the benefits of probiotics for travelers.
Can’t we all just live in digestive harmony?
Your gut is filled with trillions of macrobiotic organisms we call the microbiota. These organisms, their by-products (gasses), and the environment maintaining them (e.g., your gut lining) work together as part of an ecosystem we call the gut microbiome. Over the last forty-five years, studies have shown that the microbiota living inside the gut can have a significant impact on your health and wellbeing.
We still have a lot to learn about how and why. But what we do know is that balance is key. Too many of one species and not enough of another can really throw things off. And newly introduced species can also upset the balance. It’s a tightrope walk for the tummy. But don’t worry, we can help you walk it.
Strengthening your gut defenses
Travel exposes us to different bacteria, viruses, and stressors, which can compromise our immune system. You may pick up new and unfamiliar bacteria on your trip to a new and exotic locale. And this can upset the balance of your gut microbiome causing problems such as gas, nausea, and yes – the dreaded traveler’s diarrhea.
Research shows that the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri (formerly known as Lactobacillus reuteri) can enhance the body's natural defenses*, which can help when the gut encounters new or unfamiliar bacteria. Although L. reuteri occurs naturally in the body, most people are lacking in it. This is due to a range of reasons such as modern eating and living habits. By adding a good quality probiotic supplement to our diet, you can help to recolonize your gut and enhance your body’s immune response. This allows you to travel and explore any new environment knowing that your health and wellbeing are being safeguarded.
BioGaia’s Probiotics and traveler's diarrhea
One of the most common and unpleasant travel-related issues is traveler's diarrhea. An estimated 10 million people – 20 to 50% of international travelers suffer from it annually.
Our probiotic supplements have been shown to reduce the risk of developing travel-related digestive issues. * By promoting the growth of friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract, L. reuteri can reduce the duration of digestive symptoms and improve your ability to ward off the onset of diarrhea in the first place. *
Stress relief, Probiotics, and the gut-brain axis
You might have heard people, the media, and perhaps even your medical practitioner using the term “gut-brain axis”. This implies that the gut and the brain are connected, and the gut has an impact on mental health. Although the science behind it is still very much in its infancy, this is a very popular subject that is currently trending heavily.
At BioGaia, our scientific research delves into the important connection between gut health and mental well-being. Gut flora influences mental health through a communication system between the gut and brain, thus, the gut-brain axis.
Imbalanced gut, imbalanced mind?
While we still have a lot to learn about how the gut-brain axis works, we do know that a balanced gut microbiome is essential for regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and GABA, the inhibitory neurotransmitter that lessens a nerve cell's ability to receive, create or send chemical messages to other nerve cells. This can affect your mood. Studies link such imbalances to mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety.
Gut microbes also impact the immune system and inflammation, further affecting mental well-being. So, a healthy gut microbiota can have a positive impact on mood and stress levels. While traveling can be enjoyable, it can also be extremely stressful. This is another good reason why a good quality probiotic should be included on your packing list.
Immune active to protect yourself
Probiotic supplements offer travelers an effective way to maintain their digestive health and overall well-being.* And, with one of the most clinically researched probiotic strains in the world, embrace your next adventure with BioGaia’s Immune Active as your closest travel companion.
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