Probiotics for Health Support
Posted on 29. Jan, 2009 by Yee Smith in Diet & Nutrition
What are probiotics? Probiotics are friendly bacteria that is contained in the human gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. They play a huge part in promoting good health. Probiotics which is the exact opposite of antibiotics are used therapeutically for the purpose of re-colonizing areas in your body where they may be empty or depleted, for unknown reasons. Since the body relies on healthy bacteria for more than one function, this is extremely important.
Differentiating the Species
There are two groups of beneficial bacterias. The second is Bifidobacteria. This species colonize in the human colon and also produces lactic acid like its counter-part. This beneficial bacteria helps block bacterial infections in the guts by producing a substance called antimicrobial substances. These are effective against harmful gram-positive and negative bacterias. Some of these species of Bifidobacteria bind to the intestinal mucosa.
Probiotic Benefits
Each of the different types of probiotics offers specific health benefits. For example, in clinical studies, L. rhamnosus enhanced natural immunity in healthy adults by increasing the activity of certain white blood cells and enhancing natural killer (NK) cell tumor killing activity. NK cells play a major role in the immune systems rejection of tumors and cells infected by viruses. L. rhamnosus also seems to reduce the occurrence of diarrhea in travelers.
This probiotic can also increase production of (IFN-gamma) interferon-gamma, which shows protective effects on the intestinal mucosa, which is great. IFN’s are proteins produced by cells of the immune system in response to blockages by foreign agents like parasites, tumor cells, and viruses. IFN has anti-viral, anti-tumor, and immunoregulatory properties which benefit the body.
One of the best-known beneficial bacteria strains is L. acidophilus. Among its beneficial health effects is the ability to address bacterial vaginosis, the most common cause of vaginal infection. Research has shown intravaginal suppositories containing L. acidophilus improved resolution of infection in bacterial vaginosis compared to placebo. L. acidophilus vaginal tablets given with estriol (a type of estrogen) may also treat bacterial vaginosis, and eating yogurt enriched with L. acidophilus may decrease the incidence of recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Also, research has found that L. acidophilus can inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori, which is implicated in peptic ulcers.
Effect way to use probiotics.
Studies have shown that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria have a great safety profile and are tolerated very well, when used orally and appropriately. One of the more common effects from this is flatulence which will be mild, and usually subsides over time as supplementation is on-going. Children beware because bifidobacteria will also lead to diarrhea. No drug interactions are know with these species.
There are many supplements to chose from, which contain many types of probiotic species. You may want to purchase a probiotic that contains multiple species. It is recommended to take 10 billion (CFU) colony forming units a day, but 14 CFO may be more powerful.
If you want to get an additional health benefit on top of your probiotics, many deliver prebiotics, which help promote the growth and activity of beneficial probiotic bacteria. These prebiotics especially (FOS) is known the relive constipation by increasing the fecal mass inside.
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