Probiotics are essential for optimising health physically, mentally and emotionally.
What are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for your health, especially your digestive system. Probiotics are microorganisms (microflora) that reside in your intestine and are classified “good” or “helpful” bacteria due to the fact they help keep your intestinal tract (gut) healthy.
These good bacteria that keep pathogens (harmful microorganisms or “bad” bacteria) in check, they improve digestion, nutrient absorption, and contribute to a healthy immune system.
12 Signs you will benefit from taking pro-biotics
- If you are trying to conceive
- If you are pregnant
- If you have had a dose of anti-biotics
- If you suffer from acne, eczema, rashes, hives, or psoriasis
- If you suffer from stress
- If you suffer with anxiety
- If you have depression
- If you are irritable
- If you get sick with the flu every year
- If you suffer from bloating
- If you suffer from IBS
- If you suffer from candida (thrush)
Supplements VS Wholefood Probiotics
If you know me by now, you will know that I am a huge fan of organic whole food over supplements. When it comes to probiotics this is definitely the case!
The probiotic bacteria in supplements are dead by the time you take them. Probiotics are sensitive organisms. They die quickly when exposed to heat and moisture.
For this reason I recommend organic whole food options.
Best Probiotics for Preconception and Pregnancy
- Sauerkraut (pickled cabbage – common dish from Germany)
- Coconut Kefir (Coconut water kefir is a fermented beverage made from coconut water kefir ‘grains’ which are highly beneficial organisms of bacteria)
You can get other types of probiotics such as water kefir, kombucha and kimchi but I find the two listed above are most beneficial for when you are trying to conceive or a pregnant.
Probiotics even enhance the brain and mood
How to Make Home Made Probiotics
Making Sauerkraut Step-by-step
Step 1 – Finally chop a whole organic cabbage (optional: add 4 finely chopped apples. Apples make it less acidic and this will create a broader spectrum of bacteria to make it more beneficial and I find it more delicious too!)
Step 2 – Cover cabbage (and apple) mix with several pinches of salt (Celtic is best, followed by sea salt, followed by Pink Himalayan salt. Avoid standard table salt that has ‘anti-caking agents listed in the ingredients)
Step 3 – Mix and then add more salt
Step 4 – Massage salt through for a few minutes
Step 5 – Steralise a number of jars by boiling water in the jar and in the lid, pour out and dry in the oven
Step 6 – Fill sterilised jars three-quarters of the way with cabbage mix then top with spring water if not using apples. If opting for apples then add apple juice. (100% organic and ideally pressed/juiced yourself. Otherwise choose apple juice without sugar, not made from concentrate etc.)
No Time To Make Probiotics? 
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The probiotic “Life Shot 200” is a 15 bottle cleanse which you can take as follows if you have never done a cleanse before:
- Day 1 = teaspoon
- Day 2 = 2 teaspoons
- Day 3 = 1/3 bottle
- Day 4 = 1/3 bottle
- Day 5 = 1/3 bottle
- Day 6 = 1/3 bottle etc. and build up to 1/2 bottle if you don’t get diarrhea
As you know, it’s important you maintain these low doses because it is very common that people go through a healing crisis (e.g. bad case of the runs and heavy detox symptoms) as they experience their body extracting all the ‘bad’ bacteria and re-colonising it with good bacteria. I want you to get the benefits but slowly.
Here are some links on the benefits of this extremely powerful probiotic that you only need to take 2 – 3 times a year(!) instead of everyday:
- http://www.optibacprobiotics.co.uk/blog/2014/11/probiotics-and-bacterial-vaginosis-the-facts
- www.gdx.net/product/comprehensive-digestive-stool-analysis-with-parasitology-cdsap
About the author:
Fiona Boulton is a Fertility Specialist
(An expert in her field since 2007) and leader in Fertility Mind Mastery, Fertility Meditation, Fertility Yoga and Fertility Coaching –
helping people take back control of their fertility, faster.
Fiona is the founder of Awakening Fertility – Harley Street (Harley Street Fertility Clinic), London; Concept Fertility Putney; Chichester, West Sussex and Perth, Australia
- Huffington Post Fertility Writer
- Fertility Coach
- Fertility Support Group Co-ordinator for Harley Street Fertility Clinic and Infertility Network UK
- Nutrition Counsellor
- Public Speaker
- Author
- Blogger
- QiYoga® Founder
- Fertility Yoga Teacher Trainer (RYS 200)
- Fertile Lifestyle Motivator
- Fertility Support Group Facilitator
- Fertility Practitioner Training Co-ordinator
Through Fiona’s “transformation guaranteed” Fertile Lifestyle courses, Fiona helps navigate major transitions to detox your mind and body to help you effectively ‘think yourself fertile’; to change the map your mind has of your body and therefore change your physiology by clearing mental and emotional blockages to having your baby. Fiona’s work focuses on you taking back control by changing the internal and external environment of your cells so you can improve chances of fertility success.
Book your fertility consultation from the comfort of your home or come to the Harley Street Fertility Clinic for a transformative session with Awakening Fertility founder Fiona Boulton, here.
This is so cool! Probiotics are essential… I have known about this fact for ages but never bothered to integrate them into my diet.
Now I have 2 great ways to improve my gut health without taking MORE pills!
Having the Life Shot option is going be a great way to save time and to only have to do it 3x a year means once every 4 months I have to remember to take it.
I feel I take so many pills already (that I am rattling around) so having the option of a drink makes it easier. What does it taste like?
Hi Fiona,
Im keen to try the Life Shot drink but what does it taste like?
Yes, that is my question too. What does it taste like?
The Life Shot 200 probiotic drink, although it is made from coconut does not taste coconutty. It has a slight lemon zest to it (only slight) and is creamy. I really enjoy the taste and so have all my clients who have enjoyed the healing benefits of this drink. I personally prefer the taste of the drink to the sauerkraut!
This is really powerful and definitely helped to re-balance my gut disbiosis but if, like me, you were out of balance it can be a real shock to the system so I recommend starting with:
Day 1 – 3 = 1/3 of a bottle,
Day 4 – 5 = then build up to 1/2 a bottle
Then if you don’t get the runs you can build up to 1 bottle a day for the rest of the 2 week course :)
Thanks for your feedback Isabella :D
Thanks Fiona!
It tastes good, really good and super easy to make!
Those fermented coconut drinks are W-A-Y too expensive and I have now gotten used to adding a bit of sauerkraut to my plate of food and not only has it reduced my bloating but it has also curbed my sugar cravings after meals, yay!
I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND MAKING YOUR OWN & THIS IS THE EASIEST RECIPE I HAVE FOUND :D
Thanks for your feedback Casey :)