Probiotics

There are a vast number of live bacteria that live in each of us and they are essential for good health.    There are several thousand billion in each person (more than all the cells in the body) divided into over 400 species, most of them living in the digestive tract.   The word probiotic, means "for life".

In order to keep this simple, I'll just say that there are principally two "families" of beneficial bacteria called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria .  To a large extent, these benefical bacteria keep the bad bacteria under control.

The Lactobacillus strains are specific to the small intestine.  These bacteria help reduce levels of harmful bacteria and yeasts and are also responsible for producing lactase, the enzyme responsible for the digestion of milk.  L. acidophilus is also responsible for the production of B vitamins (niacin-B3, folic acid, pyridoxine-B6) during the digestive process. It has antifungal properties, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels, aids digestion and enhances the absorption of nutrients.

Bifidobacterium strains are specific to the large intestine. 

Bifidobacterium bifidum is the predominant organism in the intestinal flora. It aids in the manufacture and synthesis of B-complex vitamins and vitamin K.  B.bifidum improves digestion, which helps in preventing digestive disorders such as constipation and gas, as well as food allergies, to name a few.  They produce lactic and other acids which makes the environment INhospitable to harmful bacteria.   

There are other forms of beneficial, or friendly bacteria that are considered "nonresident bacteria" because they perform a job as they pass through.   These are primarily found in yogurt products and other fermented foods, but not all commercially produced varieties of yogurt contain live cultures and they often contain high fructose corn syrup which is contraindicated for establishing beneficial bacteria.  

Probiotics are known to help with:

*chronic bowel problems, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, colitis and Crohn's disease

*constipation and gas

*reducing cholesterol

*acne, & skin related problems, 

*allergies- by lessening the response in the gut to allergenic foods

*arthritis (see below)

*recurrent vaginal or bladder infections (thrush or cystitis)

*cases of diarrhea, especially when brought on by bacterial infections, therefore probiotics are an exotic traveler's best friend!

*softening stool and regulating bowel movements

*enhancing the immune system

*lactose intolerance

*promotes anti-tumor and anti-cancer activity

Here are some things that inhibit or destroy friendly bacteria:

*sugar and highly processed foods

*antibiotics 

*steroids 

*birth control pills

*chlorine and fluoride in tap water

*environmental pollutants

*mental and physical stress

*chemotherapy/radiation therapy

*tobacco

*alcohol

*aging- with age comes a decrease in the quantity of benefical bacteria

*interesting fact*  4 million people die annually from diarrhea related infections, caused by poor sanitary conditions

:) Karen