Probiotics and Your Health

Everyone wants to be healthy and prevent illness. With the stress in today’s life styles it is hard to take time for ourselves. Even if we try to eat right we still may not be getting all of the nutrients that our bodies need. Scientists have discovered that approximately 80% of our immune systems health is in the intestinal tract. If our intestinal tract is not functioning properly it can have a detrimental effect on our immune systems. Having a healthy immune system is key to preventing illness and disease. The absorption of key vitamins and other nutrients takes place in the intestinal tract, so you can see why it important to keep the intestinal tract healthy. One way we can improve the health of the intestinal tract is by taking supplements of probiotics.

Probiotics are live friendly, beneficial bacteria that are like the bacteria that lives in our intestinal tract. The term probiotics comes from the Greek term which means life. Probiotic supplements are a way to replenish the friendly bacteria in our intestinal tracts. When we ingest these living microorganisms they improve the flora of our intestinal tract which in turn enhances the digestive and immune functions of our bodies. Years ago people used to use fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut as a food preservatives and to help keep the intestinal tract healthier. The use of fermented foods has been part of meals of many cultures and still is in some, which even dates back as far as the Roman times.

Keeping a good balance of the good bacteria is important. We should have a good ratio of 85% of good bacteria to 15% of other types in our intestinal tract. This is important for our overall health. There should be billions of good microorganisms in our bodies, but with the way our food is processed and the environmental stresses in our lives many of us could be coming up short. With our obsession focused on having a germ and bacteria free life, we could, in a way, be doing ourselves even more harm. In the process of killing the bad bacteria we are also killing the good. As a result our body’s health may be suffering. Now days, doctors as well as consumers, are turning to replenishing the good bacteria with the use of probiotics, which helps the good bacteria in the intestinal tract colonize. There are many conditions that can be treated or some even prevented by taking probiotics. Some of the uses of probiotics include vaginal and urinary tract infections, side effects of antibiotics, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, allergies, colds, constipation and to prevent colon cancer.

The good bacteria helps keep the intestinal walls in good shape so we can absorb nutrients and prevent the over growth of fungus and other disease causing microorganisms. People who may have their immune system suppressed or taking immune suppressant drugs should consult their doctors before using probiotics to prevent any serious infections. Probiotics come in a variety of forms from capsules, tablets, liquid and powder and contain billions of live beneficial bacteria.