Prepared By Nutritionist Jade
Traveling is a wonderful opportunity to explore new cultures, cuisines, and landscapes. However, the excitement of a journey can sometimes be dampened by the common woe of traveller’s diarrhoea. Traveler's diarrhoea is often caused by ingesting contaminated food or water in unfamiliar regions. Bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections are common culprits, and symptoms can range from mild discomfort to severe dehydration. For frequent travellers, the risk of encountering this condition is higher.
The Gut Microbiome, A Key Player:
The gut microbiome, a diverse community of microorganisms in the digestive tract, plays a crucial role in maintaining digestive health. Probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria, can help restore and maintain this balance. Probiotics are commonly found in supplements or fermented foods. These friendly bacteria can help fortify the gut lining, improve immune response, and outcompete harmful pathogens, offering a natural defence against digestive distress.
Choosing the Right Probiotic Strains:
Not all probiotics are created equal, and when it comes to preventing traveller’s diarrhoea, specific strains have shown efficacy. Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Saccharomyces boulardii are among the strains that have demonstrated potential in reducing the risk of diarrhoea associated with travel. Choose a high-quality supplement by looking out for reputable probiotic ingredients such as the strains mentioned earlier and a high colony-forming units (CFU) count.
Best Practices for Probiotic Use During Travel:
Several studies have indicated that taking probiotics before and during travel can be effective in reducing the incidence and severity of traveller’s diarrhoea. Begin taking probiotics a few weeks before your trip to allow time for the beneficial bacteria to establish themselves in your gut. Continue taking probiotics daily during your travels to maintain gut health. While probiotics can be a valuable preventive measure, it is essential to pair their use with proper hand hygiene and safe food and water practices.
Holistic Way Range of Probiotics:
Holistic Way Probiotics are made with multi-species and multi-strains probiotics, including well-researched patented HOWARU® Restore blend to support your gut health. Both 75 billion and 100 billion uses Delayed Release Technology (DRT) to ensure probiotics survive the harsh acidic stomach environment and reach deep into the intestine. If you are new to probiotics, it is good to start with a lower dosage (30 billion) and gradually increase it to gauge how your body responds.
Probiotics offer a natural and effective strategy to fortify your digestive system. By incorporating probiotics into your pre-travel routine and following best practices, you can support your gut microbiome and embark on your journeys with greater confidence and comfort.
References
McFarland, L. V. (2007). Meta-analysis of probiotics for the prevention of traveler's diarrhea. Travel medicine and infectious disease, 5(2), 97-105.
Rasinkangas, P., & Ouwehand, A. C. (2017). Digestive health benefits of HOWARU Restore probiotic combination and its individual strains. Agro FOOD Industry Hi Tech, 28, 5.