What are Probiotics?

[Guest guest]

Probiotics are the beneficial, friendly bacteria that occur throughout the

digestive tract.

http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/usa/products/tg9.asp

What Are Probiotics?

 

Probiotics are the " good " or " friendly " bacteria that are normal inhabitants of

the intestinal tract. Although the word bacteria is usually associated with

germs and illness, friendly bacteria help the body to function, maintain health

and fight illness and disease. " Bad " or " pathogenic " bacteria on the other hand,

can cause intestinal microflora imbalances and lead to illness and disease.

 

Why Do We Need Probiotics?

 

Over 400 different species and more than 100 trillion total bacteria live in the

human intestinal tract. Friendly and pathogenic bacteria form a delicate and

constantly changing balance as they compete to take hold and remain. While human

beings usually start life with a relatively healthy intestinal tract, age and

lifestyle & environmental factors such as caesarean delivery, poor eating

habits, chlorinated drinking water, stress, disease, the use of antibiotics in

food production as well as in medical treatments, bacterial infections,

traveler's bugs, alcohol consumption and a number of other factors can greatly

reduce the number of friendly bacteria. This allows pathogenic bacteria to take

hold and cause problems. When the ratio of good bacteria to bad is lowered,

problems begin to arise such as excessive gas, bloating, diarrhea, intestinal

toxicity, constipation and poor absorption of nutrients. If this imbalance is

left untreated the symptoms can become chronic and can compromise

the immune system and lead to other serious illnesses. A healthy lower

intestine should contain at least 85% friendly bacteria to prevent the over

colonization of disease causing micro-organisms like E. coli, salmonella and

many others.

 

What Do Probiotics Supplements Do?

 

Research is establishing the importance of supplementing with probiotics. They

enhance immune function, produce antioxidants, improve nutrition through the

enhanced breakdown and absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids and they

synthesize the B vitamins, which are necessary for a healthy nervous system.

They reduce instances of constipation, and diarrhea including infantile,

traveler's and antibiotic induced diarrhea, inhibit food poisoning, and produce

substances that can contribute to the reduction of cholesterol, management of

blood sugar levels, normalization of skin conditions and maintenance of bone

health.

 

Probiotics are widely recommended for fungal and yeast infections such as

Candida because they establish large, healthy populations of friendly bacteria

that compete with the harmful yeast that is trying to take up residence.

Probiotics are also essential in the treatment and prevention of thrush, vaginal

yeast infections, and athlete's foot. Good health is fundamentally reliant upon

the friendly, symbiotic bacteria that inhabit the digestive tract.

 

Supplementing your diet with a probiotic blend properly formulated to reflect

the composition of healthy gut flora diversity at different stages of life will

ensure the repopulation of the intestinal tract with the strains most useful to

your age, lifestyle and condition.The consistent use of the correct probiotics

will improve intestinal health and help guard against disease.

 

When Should We Take Probiotics?

 

The best results are obtained if probiotics are taken regularly, preferably

daily, in order to replace bacteria lost via damaging lifestyle and

environmental factors. The latest research indicates that probiotics work best

when consumed on a full stomach when the acidity of the gastric juices has been

neutralized by food. Lactic bacteria are sensitive to extreme acidity and

therefore, their passage through the stomach is easier when gastric juice is not

as concentrated. Capsules may also be opened and their contents directly mixed

with cool or warm (but not hot) foods to simulate how some probiotics occur in

nature, where they cover raw foods.

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The complete " Whole Body " Health line consists of the " AIM GARDEN TRIO "

Ask About Health Professional Support Series: AIM Barleygreen

 

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/AIM.html

 

PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER

We have made every effort to ensure that the information included in these pages

is accurate. However, we make no guarantees nor can we assume any responsibility

for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, product, or

process discussed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance Tax Center - File online. File on time.