For some context: More and more research on the microbiome—aka the trillions of bacteria and other microbes that take up residence in our body—is linking the health of our gut to everything from immunity to mood to clear skin to brain health and beyond. You could argue that supporting healthy bacteria levels with probiotics, whether through probiotic-rich foods or daily supplements, is practically the new normal in the modern wellness routine. That’s crappy news to hear (sorry), but there’s a lot we can do to take control. Aside from eating a healthful diet of real foods, restoring your gut microbiome with healthy bacteria is a solid first step in digestive wellness. The 10 specially selected strains of good bacteria in RenewLife’s Ultimate Flora Women’s Care 25 Billion—the No. 1-selling women’s probiotic—help make it 2.5 times stronger* than the leading brand’s probiotic with 10 billion CFUs. That means digestive benefits and relief you actually feel, while actively promoting balance where ups and downs are par for the course. Almost half of all women (49%) reported that their stress has risen in the last five years, compared to 39% of men. And the stress gap gets bigger when it comes to emotional labor, a term coined by sociologist Arlie Hochschild in the 1980s that refers to the work someone does that goes unnoticed, whether professionally, in relationships, or at home. No matter who you are, stress management is a huge—if not essential—part of wellness. It’s why we take self-care seriously (and why we believe relationship care is just as important—see here some of our all-time favorite ways to empower the women in your life). The good news? Both probiotics and prebiotic-rich foods have been shown2 to help reduce cortisol levels. Probiotics for women are often recommended to prevent yeast overgrowth by promoting a healthy balance of gut microflora—but there are tons of extra benefits of having a healthy vaginal microbiome (think fertility health and fewer bladder infections, too). Lactobacilli are the most prevalent good bacteria found in a healthy vagina and urinary tract, so look for a women’s probiotic with plenty of Lactobacillus strains to keep all the signs (and, yep, smells!) of a healthy vag going. The Ultimate Flora Women’s Care Probiotic from RenewLife is mostly a Lactobacilli formula (specifically containing strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus shown to colonize4 the vagina) that’s designed to help support vaginal health and fight yeast infections. The bottom line? We’re still in the midst of learning about our microbiomes and all the benefits probiotics can deliver. But one thing is pretty clear: While we can’t control every single factor that affects our health, we can affect some of the major ones. And thanks to ongoing research, we’re discovering that probiotics play a part in the overall health of both men and women alike.
