The human digestive tract contains millions of good bacteria. These little guys, often referred to as probiotics (translates as pro-life), help lessen the presence of bad bacteria and ensures that your digestive system is functioning optimally. So if you’re wondering if probiotics are real, yes, they are, and very well documented so to be of many health benefits to people.
Explaining the Nature of Probiotics
Probiotics are the bacteria that line the stomach tract and support the body’s capacity to fight infection and absorb nutrients. The number of probiotics in your gut is probably 10 times more than the number of actual cells in a human body. They’ve been in your body the minute you come out into the world. The skin and the digestive system alone host about 2,000 different kinds of bacteria and these probiotics have known benefits in improving the body’s immune function and maintaining great skin.
Probiotics are responsible (amongst other many functions) for the:
a.Production of Vitamin K2, vitamin B12 and butyrate.
b.Crowding out the bad microbes, fungi and yeast in your gut.
c.Producing enzymes that can eliminate bad bacterial flora.
d.Stimulation of the secretion of regulatory T cells and IgA.
How Probiotics Can Help You
Studies suggest that a well-kept and healthy digestive tract affects the rest of the entire body system in a good way. These are what you can get from those probiotics of yours:
1.Can help protect you against infections
2.Can aid in enhancing your immune defenses.
3.Can maintain your digestive health.
4.Can ease diarrhea induced by use of certain antibiotics.
5.Can promote good genital and urinary health.
6.Can lessen the symptoms of lactose intolerance
7.Can help improve some types of eczema experienced by infants and children
8.Can lower the body’s cholesterol levels.
9.Can decrease the risks for the development of certain cancers.
10.Can help improve your oral health.
Types of Probiotics
A lot of bacterial types are classified as probiotics. They vary in terms of benefits but they generally come from two groups:
Lactobacillus: Probably the most common type of probiotics out there. You’ll find these in yogurts and other fermented foods. Some bacterial strains may help with the diarrhea brought forth by lactose intolerance.
Bifidobacterium: These can be found in a lot of dairy products. It helps relieves symptoms or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and a few other stomach conditions.
Types of Probiotic Killers
1.Antibiotics
2.Tap water
3.Sugar
4.Grains
5.Stress
6.Chemicals and other medications.
So, in order to have a good gut balance, try your best to avoid these probiotic killers. People are often exposed to too many of these on an everyday basis and if not addressed, may ruin your digestive health.
The food products that have big supplies of probiotic content include dairy products and beverages as well as fermented foods such as yogurts, liquid milk with probiotics, fermented milk, kefir, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, kimchi and more.Fermentation enhances the flavour and texture of these products. Raw (unpasteurized) yogurt is rich in probiotics. Most yogurts being sold in the market today are pasteurized for longer shelf life thereby killing a portion of its good bacterial content.If you have taken a liking for yogurt, look for one that has the live and active culture indicator on the packaging/label. Also, pay attention to the expiry date as live bacterial cultures can die in time.
Taking Probiotics Safely
Probiotic supplements abound in the market today and come in an array of forms. It can range from freeze dried powders, to wafer, to liquids and capsules too. Be careful though when taking probiotic supplements as the FDA is not regulating these products as strictly as they do with regular medications. Allergic reactions may happen with the use of probiotic supplements, so make sure to seek the advice of your doctor before starting taking these supplements.
