No matter your age, stage of life, or health status, there are a multitude of benefits to taking probiotics! Today I am joined by Jessica Terhaar, Director of the International Probiotics Association, who is here to share how probiotics impact our health and why we should all pay more attention to them. You’ll learn about the difference between a microbe and a probiotic, both of which are very beneficial to us, and what you should look out for when deciding which probiotics to take. Jessica explains how probiotics help us to balance our hormones, digest our food, and produce vitamins, and why exposure to all different types of microbes is so important. Microbes exist in and around us in the trillions, but restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic could have negative implications on how our bodies respond to them, and we need to learn to balance the risks and benefits of exposure. Your microbes work for you, and there are many ways that you can help them thrive! Key Points From This Episode: An introduction to today’s probiotic expert, Jessica. Jessica explains what colony forming units are.The importance of diversity when it comes to what probiotics are made of.How to differentiate between microbes and probiotics. Examples of foods which optimize the potential of microbes. Popular probiotic and microbe strains.Information you should be able to find on the label of a probiotic bottle.What opportunistic pathogens are, and when they can be detrimental to our health.How the COVID-19 pandemic has changed our relationship with microbes, and why this is problematic.The multitude of benefits of taking probiotics.A rapid-fire round with Jessica. Why it is so important to take probiotics before, during, and after you take antibiotics.  Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Jessica Terhaar Email Address Jessica Terhaar on LinkedIn International Probiotic Association Probiotic Rescue by Allison Tannis Deliciously Geeky Allison Tannis on LinkedIn Allison Tannis on Instagram Natural Health Influencer on Instagram Pure-Lē Natural