Sunday, February 1, 2009

Probiotics for Digestive Support

By Yee Smith

What are probiotics? Probiotics are friendly bacteria that is contained in the human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. They play a huge part in promoting good health. Probiotics which is the exact opposite of antibiotics are used therapeutically for the purpose of re-colonizing areas in your body where they may be empty or depleted, for unknown reasons. Since the body relies on healthy bacteria for more than one function, this is extremely important.

What types of Probiotics?

The second healthy bacteria is called the Bifidobacteria, which colonizes in the colon and like our previous species can produce lactic acid. This specie produces antimicrobial substances that protect against harmful gram-negative and positive bacteria. This helps block infection in your gut. Bifidobacteria species can bind to the intestinal mucosa and prevent good bacteria from forming.

How can probiotics benefit me?

Every type of probiotic has a specific health benefit to you. Clinical studies have shown that L. rhamnosus enhanced immunity in healthy adults. It did this by increasing certain activities of white blood cells and enhancing natural killer (NK) cell tumor activity. These Nk cells play a huge part in your immune system's rejection of cells infected by viruses and or tumors. L. rhamnosus also reduced the occurrence of diarrhea.

L. rhamnosus can increase IFN-gamma or also known as interferon-gamma, which shows that it can protect effects against the intestinal mucosa in your body. Interferons can be natural proteins that are produced by the immune system cells'. These are created in a response to challenges by unhealthy objects such as tumor cells, viruses, and parasites. This IFN has great properties which can help your body.

One of the more popular strains of beneficial bacteria is the L. acidophilus strain. This bacteria is beneficial to one of the most common causes of vaginal infection, which is vaginosis. Some research shows that intravaginal suppositories that contain L. acidophilus can improve resolution of infection in bacterial vaginosis, and is better than placebo. Research also shows that L. acidophilus can increase the growth of Helicobacter pylori, which is implicated in peptic ulcers, this is great news.

Effect way to use probiotics.

Using this appropriately and according to directions these species have a great safety profile, and are tolerated by the body very well, which studies have shown. There us a very common side effect which is known as flatulence. This is usually very mild, and will go away as long as you continue supplementation of probiotics. This can cause diarrhea in children so be careful. There are also no integrations between drugs and these species of probiotics.

Given the many types of probiotic species, there are many potential supplements from which to choose. To provide comprehensive benefits, products offering combinations of these probiotics may make the most sense. In terms of daily dosage, at least 10 billion colony forming units (CFU) is often recommended, although 14 billion CFU may be more desirable.

For additional health benefit, many probiotic products also deliver prebiotics, such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which promote the growth and activity of probiotic bacteria. FOS particularly may even help relieve constipation by increasing fecal mass. - 16650

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