What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are the "good" or "friendly" bacteria that are normal inhabitants of the intestinal tract. These helpful bacteria evolve over a person's lifetime, changing in type and quantity as we age. Although the word bacteria is usually associated with germs and illness, friendly bacteria help the body to function, maintain health and fight illness and disease. "Bad" or "pathogenic" bacteria on the other hand, can cause imbalances and lead to illness and disease.
Why Do We Need Probiotic Supplements?
Over 400 different species and more than 100 trillion total bacteria live in the human intestinal tract. These friendly and pathogenic bacteria form a delicate and constantly changing balance as they compete to take hold and remain. Along with advancing age, lifestyle and environmental factors can negatively affect the number and balance of friendly bacteria. Among the affecting factors are Caesarean delivery, poor eating habits, chlorinated drinking water, stress & disease, and the use of antibiotics in food production as well as inmedical treatments, bacterial infections, traveler's bugs, alcohol consumption and a number of other lifestyle factors. These allow pathogenic bacteria to take hold and cause problems such as excessive gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, intestinal toxicity, constipation and poor absorption of nutrients. If this probiotic imbalance is left untreated, the symptoms can become chronic, compromising the immune system and leading to serious illness.
What Do Probiotic Supplements Do?
Bone Health - Bifidobacteria produce the B vitamins and vitamin K, which are essential for bone growth and repair. At the same time they help with the absorption of calcium and magnesium from food.
Bowel Health - Probiotics reduce instances of constipation, and diarrhea (including infantile, traveler's and antibiotic induced) and inhibit food poisoning.
Hormonal Health - Probiotics produce substances that contribute to the reduction of cholesterol, management of blood sugar levels and normalization of skin conditions.
Yeast Overgrowth - Probiotics are widely recommended for Candida because they establish large, healthy populations of friendly bacteria that compete with the harmful yeast that is trying to take up residence. Probiotics are also essential in the treatment and prevention of other yeast and fungal infections such as thrush, vaginal yeast infections and athlete's foot.
Overall Health - Probiotics enhance immune function, produce antioxidants, prevent the breakdown of essential fats, and improve nutrition through the enhanced breakdown and absorption of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. They also synthesize the B vitamins, which are necessary for a healthy nervous system.
Probiotics are the "good" or "friendly" bacteria that are normal inhabitants of the intestinal tract which evolve according to age.
When is the Best Time to Take Probiotics?
The best results are obtained if probiotics are taken regularly, preferably daily, to replace bacteria lost via aging and lifestyle and environmental factors. The latest research suggests that probiotics work best when consumed on a full stomach. Lactic bacteria are sensitive to extreme acidity and therefore, their passage through the stomach is easier when gastric juice has been neutralized by food.
Supplementing your diet with a probiotic blend that has been properly formulated to be specific to age or condition, will ensure the re-population of the intestinal tract with the most appropriate and useful strains to improve intestinal health and help guard against disease.
About Udo Erasmus, Ph.D.
Udo Erasmus is an internationally recognized authority on the role of fats, oils, and cholesterol in human health. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Honours Zoology with a major in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, followed by graduate studies in biochemistry and genetics. Several years of research in the field of nutrition led to him write his first book, Fats and Oils, which earned him a Ph.D. in nutrition and was later expanded and republished as Fats That Heal Fats That Kill.
by Udo Erasmus, Ph.D.
