Probiotics: Good Bacteria at Your Service

We"ve heard of them what are they really? Probiotics are dietary supplements that contain beneficial bacteria. It is only recently that scientists are beginning to discover the full potential of these microorganisms. Research is currently being done on how probiotics can help improve our health.

The live microorganisms in probiotics have been shown to help in the maintenance of a healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive tract. Since almost three-quarters of the immune system is in your digestive tract, it is important that bacterial balance is maintained because otherwise you might be stricken with illness.

In your intestines there should be 80% good bacteria and 20% harmful bacteria. This healthy balance, however, can be upset by factors such as diet, stress, illness, and exposure to poisonous substances. One way in which the healthy environment in your intestines may be destroyed is through the use of antibiotics. These medications are meant to kill harmful bacteria, oftentimes though, existing beneficial bacteria are eliminated as well. When this happens, diarrhea and other intestinal problems result. Use of anti-bacterial soap does the same thing. It kills both good and bad bacteria.

Probiotics help in maintaining a healthy bacterial balance in the digestive tract and studies show that they also play a role in boosting the body"s immune system. Aside from preventing diarrhea and diarrhea-related problems, probiotics also support lactose digestion and this is certainly good news to people who are lactose intolerant. The other potential health benefits that probiotics may offer include the maintenance of blood pressure and healthy cholesterol levels, reduction of inflammation and enhancement of mineral absorption. Research is now ongoing as to how probiotics may aid in the prevention of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and certain types of cancer. There are also specific strains of microflora which may help promote vaginal and urinary tract health thereby preventing the yeast or urinary tract infection which can cause a lot of discomfort to women.

Probiotics may also offer health benefits to infants and children. Nature provides newborns with beneficial intestinal bacteria at birth but boosting their good bacteria all throughout the early years may promote overall immunity and digestive health. It may also lessen the possibility of developing allergies as small children because probiotics help protect the intestinal lining and keep allergens from invading the digestive tract.

From one end of the age spectrum to the other, adults over 50 years of age would also find it beneficial to include probiotics in their daily diet. This is important as it has been found out in preliminary research that as one ages, the immune system needs to be boosted and probiotics would be of great use to seniors in addressing this issue.

Charles Volcolatte is a health and weight loss researcher for www.skinnyasap.com. He writes and researches actively on Dieting Reviews and shares his knowledge at www.skinnyasap.com where he works as a staff writer.

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