The beneficial bacteria
that make up the bulk of your gut flora are called “probiotics.” These tiny
symbiotic organisms provide a wide range of benefits to your health, including
keeping your digestive system healthy, aiding in nutrient absorption, boosting
your immune system and even helping guard against cancer.
The benefits of probiotics were first discovered by Dr. Eli
Metchnikoff, who studied the lifestyle of Russian peasants found to be living
unusually long life spans. He noticed that their diet consisted of large
amounts of fermented milk, which carry high levels of probiotics, and linked
their longevity to this diet.
The two most common types of probiotics are bifidobacteria
and lactobacilli, which can be taken either in food or as a supplement to help
balance our gut microflora after an illness or course of medications such as
antibiotics. The excessive use of antibiotics can lead to a proliferation of
problems, as they not only wipe out the bad bacteria, but take out the good as
well. This allows for opportunistic organisms to gain a foothold, such as
candida, a naturally occurring yeast that lives harmlessly in the digestive
tract. If it is able to grow unchecked by good bacteria, it may transform into
fungal form and cause all manner of health issues, such as tiredness, fuzzy
thinking, leaky gut, etc. Probiotics ensure that harmful microbes are kept in check
in your digestive system.
The body normally carries over 400 different strains of
these microorganisms in its digestive tract, amounting to 10 trillion in total.
This is 10 times more than all the cells in your body. Though the greatest
concentrations of probiotics live in the colon, they reside in many other parts
of the body as well, helping to support the immune system.
Up to 80% of our immune response is dependent on probiotics,
which stimulate the production of macrophages, T-cells and cytokines. They also
produce natural antibiotics that are able to fight many pathogens that have
developed a resistance to standard antibiotics. And if a pathogen develops
resistance to one of the antibiotic chemicals produced by the probiotic, it has
the ability to adapt that chemical to one that is more effective in fighting
the pathogen, which standard antibiotics are unable to do.
Studies have found probiotics to be antagonistic to many
types of cancer, stimulating the production of cancer-fighting chemicals in the
body, leading to the shrinkage of tumors and encouraging cancer cell death.
Probiotics also help fight against viruses, including colds,
flus, herpes, rotavirus and ulcers. In a study done on 2- to 5-year-old
children in India who were given either probiotics or placebo for 6 months,
those taking the probiotics had fewer cases of cold, flu, fever and diarrhea
than those taking placebo.
Probiotics can naturally be found in different fermented
foods such as yogurt, kimchee, kefir, miso, kombucha and sauerkraut. Look for
labeling that states “live active cultures” on the package to ensure you are
getting useful probiotics in your food.
Author Bio:
Dr. Matt Ramirez graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Human Biology in 2004 and received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree in 2006. He specializes in auto injury recovery and rehabilitation and has enhanced and improved thousands of lives as well as treated people of all ages over the years. He is also an expert in health and wellness, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and more...
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