Did you know that there are at least 10 times more germs in you and on you than cells in the body? I shudder at the idea that there are several hundred species of bacteria, and their overall numbers are projected at 10-fold the amount of cells that compose our body. While the mature body harbors 10 times as many cancerous cells as individual cells, Americans have begun to think that almost all bacteria are bad.

Probiotics

But probiotics, also known as lactic acid bacteria (LAB), or friendly bacteria, are critical for optimum health and this is why; Probiotics help support the immune system by stimulating the body’s natural defenses and by lining the intestines using a protective coating of friendly bacteria that pubs harmful compounds in the intestine from entering the body. In a nutshell, probiotics come in the shape of either a food material or supplement form.

In this guide we’ll discuss good bacteria and its benefits to the body, who may have to supplement probiotics in their diet and in which to find the ideal source. The reason for probiotics is that the body includes a tiny ecology of microbes, both good and bad, collectively called the gut flora.

Did you know?

Your body’s tiny ecology of germs may get thrown out of whack because of anxiety, alcohol use, poor diet, disease, and the use of prescription drugs, like antibiotics and oral contraceptives. A baby can have his system out of equilibrium from day one if he didn’t get his first dose of good bacteria from his mother in the birth canal during the birthing procedure. Which means all infants born by C-Section have a compromised immune system.

Is there anybody these days that does not match that criteria in 1 way or another? Hence many, if not all people could greatly benefit from taking a quality nourishment on a regular basis. If humans don’t maintain a sufficient number of good bacteria in the body, disease and maybe even death will happen.

The perfect ratio of good to bad bacteria is thought to be 85% good to 15% poor. Since the 19th century, when medical scientists identified different links between indigestion and chronic illness, it’s been recognized that what happens inside the intestines has far-reaching consequences in what happens in the body in general. Studies have determined that 70% of your immune system resides on your intestinal tract.

Remember

I’ve heard it stated that death begins in the colon. I’m beginning to see how that might be . Probiotic bacteria live in the digestive tract and may provide many health benefits, which range from lowering cholesterol and boosting immunity, to lessening the effects of lactose intolerance, constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and even gum disease. Additional studies suggest probiotics can help reduce the chance of colon cancer and the more severe inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

They help aid in digestion and the absorption of nutrients. With that in mind, I would agree that it should behoove us to pay close attention to what happens through out our entire GI tract, particularly the colon and the value of keeping it in balance for optimum general health and for disease prevention. Suffice it to say, probiotics are valuable agents that could exert positive effects on health. Studies in mice that are senile have proven that with no bacteria, the systemic immune system won’t function normally.

Medical studies reveal that replenishing the gut with probiotics not just offer a natural way toward a healthy lifestyle, but might also help the body heal itself of some”incurable” diseases. The University of Michigan did a study with 40 patients suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). In this double blind study, 20 were awarded probiotics and 20 were given a placebo. Their results were apparent; Probiotics were more effective than the placebo in treating symptoms of IBS. 20 out of 20 received relief from their pain and distress.

Good to know

Additionally, there are a high number of clinical studies highlighting that probiotics are entirely safe for human consumption, even for infants. Probiotics are important in re-colonizing the gut with good bacteria. With bad lifestyle choices, food processing, pollution and antibiotic treatment, the quantities of good bacteria living naturally in our gut are reduced, and studies have demonstrated that active ingestion of bacteria increases the size of intestinal colonies, thereby improving digestion of meals.

Surprisingly, despite this impressive collection of therapeutic features, probiotics aren’t commonly part of the conventional medical practitioner’s arsenal of prescription medication. Why has the medical profession, and a lot of the scientific community, stayed aloof from the outcomes of probiotic research? Perhaps it’s because”natural” choices are not as great for business as prescription medications are. Unfortunately we live in a society of if money talks people listen. Just my theory nevertheless.

Natural probiotics

These have existed for centuries in the kind of fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, miso and yogurt. However, they appear to be the most recent health food fad; eating’good’ bacteria contributes to better digestive health, say experts. I am confident you have seen the advertisements on TV today with Dannon Yogurt touting the benefits of probiotics in their products. Unfortunately the negative impacts of the sugar from the yogurt would likely negate the positive effects of these probiotics in their merchandise.

There’s a better way to consume the beneficial bacteria our bodies need and it comes in an easy to consume nutritional supplement form. Probiotics are among the fastest-growing group of functional foods, according to the industry research company Mintel, which cites a 140 percent increase this past year from the launching of new probiotic-fortified products. Many doctors now believe those who consume probiotics are far much better equipped to fight the growth of disease-causing germs in the body.