Healthy Digestive
System
The World Health Organization defines probiotics as “live micro
organisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”
Probiotics are also referred to as microflora. These microorganisms work primarily by inhabiting
the colon, maintaining a healthy digestive environment and crowding out harmful bacteria that may
find their way into the intestines.
What kind of Probiotic Bacteria are
Naturally in our Gut?
A healthy digestive system basically depends upon more
than 400 types of beneficial, symbiotic bacteria that live in our digestive tract. The good
bacteria are predominantly two varieties: Lactobacillus and
Bifidobacterium, which are further sub-divided into different strains; the most beneficial
being Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus.
Why Do We Need to Supplement
Them?
Naturally occurring probiotics are a vital part of our digestive
and immune system, keeping them strong and healthy. But, unfortunately the gut flora can be reduced
through bad nutrition, chlorinated drinking water, tension, illness and the overuse of antibiotics,
which can weaken the digestive system by destroying good bacteria and allowing bad bacteria to
flourish. Therefore, regular intake of probiotics, either natural or in supplement form is
necessary to maintain a sufficient balance of bacteria in the digestive system to boost the immune system further and live a healthy
life.
Signs & Symptoms of Bacterial Imbalances
Here are the most common
warning signs of a bacterial imbalance:
- Chronic yeast
problems
- Sleeping poorly, night
sweats
- Allergies and food
sensitivities
- Frequent colds, flu or infections
- Frequent constipation or
diarrhea
- Acne, eczema skin and foot fungus
- Painful joint
inflammation, stiffness
- Frequent fatigue, poor
concentration
- Extreme menstrual or
menopausal symptoms
- Bad breath, gum disease
and dental problems
- Faulty digestion, acid
reflux and other gut disorders
- Difficulty losing
weight, sugar/carbohydrate craving
Benefits of Probiotics
Most ailments caused by the body’s failure to digest food correctly can be alleviated by using
probiotics that help to alleviate these symptoms, since they support the digestion process. In fact
probiotics play such an important role for the proper functioning of the body that some research
has even associated autism to a probiotics insufficiency.
Probiotics are equally
important to children and adults; hence there is no age restriction on taking probiotics. And after
taking advice from a proper doctor, even pregnant and nursing women can take
them.
Probiotics can help to:
Toady's Research shows that probiotics are beneficial
for:
- Strengthening the Immune
System
- Improving
Digestion
- Lowering
Cholesterol
- Protecting against Food
Poisoning
- Assisting with Allergy
Relief
- Preventing Yeast
Infections
- Fighting Aging -
Longevity
Natural Probiotics
Natural probiotics are found in cultured dairy products such as aged cheeses,
Japanese Miso, Tempeh, Kefir and yogurt; consumption of spices, tea, red wine, berries, apples
and beans encourage probiotics from these dairy products to multiply even
further.
Probiotics are stimulated
into action by foods such as bananas, garlic, and human breast milk stimulate, and prebiotics. The probiotic bacteria can also be found in a variety of
supplements that are as good a source of probiotics.
Probiotic Supplements
Various probiotic supplements are also available in the market in the form
of:
Experts recommend that a
single dose of probiotic supplement should deliver at least a minimum of 10,000,000 live bacteria
to the digestive system. It is very important to investigate all the products for organic probiotic
levels before choosing one for yourself, in order to find the best probiotic with the largest number of
probiotic benefits for your individual needs.
Articles on the Benefits of Probiotics:
Harvard Medical School: Health Benefits of Probiotics
Health Castle on
Probiotic Benefits
Penn State U: Probiotics and Benefits
USProbiotics.org: Why Probiotics?
Probiotics
Beneficial, but Not Cure-Alls say Health Professionals
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