Scientists have known for decades that probiotics can boost your health. That is why so many yogurt manufactures are now touting the different bacterial strains in their products right on the packaging. Recent studies indicate that probiotics may play a role in treating gastrointestinal illnesses, boosting immunity, and preventing or slowing the development of certain types of cancer. Since 80% of the immune system is gut associated, it makes sense to seriously consider the benefits of probiotics on your overall health.
What is a probiotic?
You’ve probably heard the term thrown around on TV commercials, but what exactly is a probiotic? A probiotic is a bacterial organism that contributes to the health and balance of the intestinal tract. According to the WHO probiotics are:
“Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”.
There are several types of probiotic organisms which are good for the body and commonly found in foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kombucha, miso, and kefir . According to a 2004 UCSD study, probiotics are beneficial even when inactive. Their research concluded that the “good bacteria” in probiotics contain immune system-stimulating DNA which makes them just as effective when inactivated, as when consumed as live microorganisms in dairy products such as yogurt.
Probiotics For Health
Although recent medical studies have proven the therapeutic benefit of these good bacteria, their use dates back thousands of years. People in ancient Babylon, for example, used sour milk to alleviate gastrointestinal problems. Some of the more common health benefits include:
- Managing lactose intolerance
- Helps kill salmonella in the body
- Helps prevent colon cancer
- Lowers Cholesterol
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Reduces Inflammation
- Boosts Immune System, used as an anti-biotic
- Improves mineral absorption from other foods and vitamins
- Helps prevents Urinary Tract Infection and bacterial vaginosis
- Improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, candida
- Excema, asthma and allergies
One of the biggest benefits of probiotics as a prevention mechanism is the tremendous impact it has on your immune system and overall health, with the absence of any serious side effects. There have been reports of gas or bloating with overuse, or as a result of a sudden, large introduction of probiotic to the system. However, following prescribed dosages and gradual intake seems to eradicate this problem completely.
Who Should Take Probtioics?
The simple answer is; everyone. Everyone should be taking these regularly and double the dose following a round of antibiotics. Antibiotics don’t discriminate. They kill off the bad as well as the good bacteria in our intestinal tract, making it necessary to repopulate the gut with good bacteria through the use of probiotics. Since a large portion of the immune system is related to the function of the gut, a healthy gut flora is extremely important to your overall health. But more specifically some people who can benefit from probiotics are:
- Anyone who has recently used anti-biotics
- Anyone suffering from gastrointestinal problems such as: bloat, gas, gastroenteritis
- Anyone who suffers from lactose intolerance
- Anyone who wishes to gain increased mineral and nutrient absorption
- Anyone suffering from diarrhea, chronic or otherwise
- Someone suffering from allergies
Which Probtiotics Should I Take?
There are two primary sources of probtiotics:
1. Foods with fermentation
2. Health supplements
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