What are Pro Biotics?
Probiotics are living micro organisms (bacteria, and some yeasts) that are good for you. The word “probiotic” literally means “for life” and is also referred to as beneficial bacteria or microflora. The idea is that of a symbiotic, or mutually beneficial relationship.
Health Benefits
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 Beneficial for a Variety of Conditions
Probiotics have been proven to enhance the immune system, protect against food poisoning, assist with allergy relief, and are used to treat and prevent yeast and fungal Infections as well as many other health conditions. Ongoing scientific research is discovering that probiotics help alleviate many medical conditions, such as Cancers, Candida, Eczema, Ulcers, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Urinary and Vaginal Tract Infections, Diarrhea, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Studies are even suggesting that probiotics may help to ward off the common cold and flus.
Where can I find Probiotics?
Actually, there are billions of probiotics living in your gut, right now. Did you know that there are more bacteria in your body than cells? Twenty times as many. Most of these bacteria reside in your intestines, where they are essential for the health of your intestinal tract. Dietetic students learn how probiotics assist with the digestion of food and help your immune system fight disease and infections.
But I Thought all Bacteria (“bugs”) were Bad!
To put it simply, there are two types of bacteria: friendly bacteria and unfriendly bacteria. As the names illustrate, unfriendly bacteria causes illness and disease, while friendly bacteria protects us from illness and disease.
“But if I have this Already, Why do I need Probiotic Supplements?”
There are many factors that can deplete our natural flora. Stress, disease, bad diet, alcohol consumption, overuse of antibiotics, chlorine and sodium fluoride in drinking water, birth control pills, can all contribute to the destruction of the good bacteria in our bodies. Our health depends upon more than 400 types of beneficial, symbiotic bacteria residing in our digestive tracts. Regular intake of probiotics, either naturally occurring in food or in supplement form is necessary to maintain a sufficient balance of bacteria in the digestive system to boost the immune system further so we may live a healthy life.
What Foods Contain Probiotics?
Natural probiotics are found in cultured dairy products such as yogurt, buttermilk, kefir. lassi, dahi and some aged cheeses; fermented bean pastes such as Japanese miso, tempeh, doenjang; sauerkraut, some pickles and pickled foods such as Korean kimchee (kimchi), and the Chinese foods pao cai and zha cai. Kombucha tea has been used for thousands of years for its health benefits. Compounds in red wine and grape juice cooperate with probiotics to fight pathogens. Light probiotic beers- probiotic ginger beer, kefir beer and light probiotic beers can be brewed at home and are being commercially developed. And probiotic breads are becoming more common in the food marketplace.
What is the best Probiotic Supplement?
With hundreds of new probiotic supplements in marketplace, looking for the best one can be a difficult chore. Pills, powders, liquids, freeze-dried vs live cultures, different strains, the list goes on and on; so then, how are we to select the right supplement? One that is safe and effective? In an effort to sort out the confusion, here is an article on Which Probiotic Supplement is the Best?