Probiotics
dominant strain Bifidobacterium Lactis HN019
metabolism | mood
Supplements by Withdrawal Symptom | Daily Supplements for Smoking Cessation | Detoxing Nicotine | Stay Quit Tips
The research on smokers and gut flora clearly show a change in the microbiome in smoking cessation. It also shows that while smokers have as much as 40% higher buccal bacteria in their bodies, they also have less diversity of bacteria than non-smokers. In rebuilding a healthy environment that maintains the good guy bacteria, and keeps the bad guy bacteria in check, probiotics are important in smoking cessation. Bacteria also react with hormones and neurotransmitters, aiding in the production of dopamine, boosting mood and energy. ( 1 2 )
Probiotics are individual to each person because they can act differently in each person. As a smoker I’ve never felt the need to take one. When researching which probiotic may be best for you keep in mind that it’s not always about how many millions or billions of CFU’s a probiotic contains, but more about which individual strains they contain, and the personal needs of your body. Probiotics are also available in cultured foods like yogurt.
The probiotic I chose for cessation has Bifidobacterium Lactis HN019 as it’s dominant strain. A study conducted among elderly shows that Bifidobacterium Lactis HN019 increased Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, and reduced Actinobacteria and Firmicutes. ( 3 4 5 ) Another study showed Bifidobacterium Lactis NH019 relieved constipation, a common withdrawal symptom of quitting smoking. ( 6 7 )
There seems to be an ongoing discussion on the best time to take probiotics, I plan to take mine once daily about 20 minutes before dinner.
Probiotics are essential for your body to produce
Dopamine for energy and mood
Assist in restoring gut microbiome
May help with these withdrawal symptoms
Anxiety
Constipation
Fatigue (lack of energy)
Slow Metabolism
food sources | pickled ginger, wasabi, greek yogurt, beans, kimchi, cabbage, daikon radish