A probiotic is a supplement containing live bacteria which is ingested to restore beneficial bacteria to the gut. The effectiveness of a probiotic in restoring balance varies according the various factors like dosage, strain and species. Some of these supplements contain sugar, preservatives or fillers and that is why organic probiotics are favored by health practitioners.
The gastrointestinal tract is second only to the respiratory tract in body surface area and during a normal lifetime, many tons of food pass through this canal. It harbors trillions of viable bacteria. Many factors, such as diet, climate, aging, medication, illness and stress can upset the balance of the bacteria. If the balance is incorrect this, this can negatively impact the health of the individual.
Bacteria adhere to sites lining the gastrointestinal tract. If there are enough healthy bacteria, the theory is that they dominate and protect against the adherence of harmful bacteria. Most often, the healthy bacteria in a supplement come from two groups, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Within each group, there are different species and within each species, different strains.
A probiotic comes in many forms such as tablets, powders, capsules and even in foods like yoghurt. Whatever the form, the importance is that it contains enough organisms to survive and grow in the intestines. The amount of live cells per dose varies considerably and this can also determine effectiveness.
A general purpose variety is available for those with no specific problems but simply wish to maintain their health and boost their immune systems. Others are designed to promote specific functions, such as those that help with constipation. Selection has to be made with the specific purpose in mind.
The clearest benefit, backed up by scientific study, comes in the field of gastrointestinal conditions like inflammatory bowel conditions and diarrhea associated with use of antibiotics. When antibiotics are used, the useful as well as the bad bacteria is destroyed and need to be replaced. However, interesting research is being done on their effect on much more than just digestive issues. One of the main benefits appears to be in stimulating the immune system.
Researchers are exploring whether the disease-causing bacteria, yeasts, fungi and parasites that upset the balance in the gut could actually be halted by taking these supplements. If they were already there, taking them would help to suppress their growth. This would help with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, vaginal infections and many others.
These products can be purchased from traditional health food stores and from online suppliers. When purchasing from online suppliers it is important to make sure that a reputable company is selected. There are many of these supplements available and some of them are inferior to others. The strain, species and dosage of bacteria is important as it has to survive and establish itself to be effective.
A scientific understanding of the probiotic and and its potential for preventing and treating health conditions is still at an early stage. However, the fact that they appear to have a strengthening effect on the immune system is undisputed. Organic probiotics are those that do not contain any added ingredients that may actually affect the growth of the healthy bacteria.
The gastrointestinal tract is second only to the respiratory tract in body surface area and during a normal lifetime, many tons of food pass through this canal. It harbors trillions of viable bacteria. Many factors, such as diet, climate, aging, medication, illness and stress can upset the balance of the bacteria. If the balance is incorrect this, this can negatively impact the health of the individual.
Bacteria adhere to sites lining the gastrointestinal tract. If there are enough healthy bacteria, the theory is that they dominate and protect against the adherence of harmful bacteria. Most often, the healthy bacteria in a supplement come from two groups, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Within each group, there are different species and within each species, different strains.
A probiotic comes in many forms such as tablets, powders, capsules and even in foods like yoghurt. Whatever the form, the importance is that it contains enough organisms to survive and grow in the intestines. The amount of live cells per dose varies considerably and this can also determine effectiveness.
A general purpose variety is available for those with no specific problems but simply wish to maintain their health and boost their immune systems. Others are designed to promote specific functions, such as those that help with constipation. Selection has to be made with the specific purpose in mind.
The clearest benefit, backed up by scientific study, comes in the field of gastrointestinal conditions like inflammatory bowel conditions and diarrhea associated with use of antibiotics. When antibiotics are used, the useful as well as the bad bacteria is destroyed and need to be replaced. However, interesting research is being done on their effect on much more than just digestive issues. One of the main benefits appears to be in stimulating the immune system.
Researchers are exploring whether the disease-causing bacteria, yeasts, fungi and parasites that upset the balance in the gut could actually be halted by taking these supplements. If they were already there, taking them would help to suppress their growth. This would help with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, vaginal infections and many others.
These products can be purchased from traditional health food stores and from online suppliers. When purchasing from online suppliers it is important to make sure that a reputable company is selected. There are many of these supplements available and some of them are inferior to others. The strain, species and dosage of bacteria is important as it has to survive and establish itself to be effective.
A scientific understanding of the probiotic and and its potential for preventing and treating health conditions is still at an early stage. However, the fact that they appear to have a strengthening effect on the immune system is undisputed. Organic probiotics are those that do not contain any added ingredients that may actually affect the growth of the healthy bacteria.
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