Understanding Probiotics – Different Strains for Different Needs
Probiotics are the good guy bacteria that your digestive system needs to function properly. Studies suggest that a diet rich in beneficial flora can help tame lactose intolerance, gas, diarrhea, bloating, and other digestive issues.
They play a vital role in how well the nutrients you consume are utilized by your body and help prevent you from getting sick. If you’re not getting enough, your quality of life may suffer dire consequences.
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Unfortunately today, most people are bombarded by the consumption of the modern diet, which does your body no favors. This happens within minutes of consuming chlorinated water, sugar, artificial additives, a vast assortment of chemicals and antibiotics, and other toxic sources that destroy healthy flora. It is an almost certainty that today most people’s gut flora are not in check!
Bacteria (single celled microorganisms) are found everywhere! They exist in water, the soil, in plants, and are found in most parts of your body. They outnumber the actual cells in your body by a landslide; about 10 to 1. Your skin and digestive system by themselves host about 2,000 different strains.
There are fewer bacteria in the stomach than in other parts of the digestive system. Your stomach contains acids that are needed to break foods down but it also prevents a lot of the good guy bacteria from reaching the rest of the gut. To ensure that enough of the good guys make it to your intestinal tract, you have to find the bacteria strain that helps you the most. Since we all have different genetics, what works tops for me may not work best for you!
Why your Body is Dependent on Probiotics
When the good guy bacteria is plentiful, there is a balance of microflora in your intestines, which in turn helps destroy harmful yeasts like candida. They improve calcium absorption, enhance the synthesis of the B complex of vitamins, and help finish digesting your food. Everyone needs them and that includes you!When toxins take host in your body, probiotics step into action! Since they take residence in the mucosal lining of the gut, they form a barrier between the gut and the bloodstream. In this way, they are your first line of defense against harmful invaders.
Most of your immunity lies in the walls of your intestines, known as the GALT or gut associated lymphoid tissue. That means that your defenses can’t function properly without the good bacteria. They keep the bowels healthy, produce vitamin K and the B vitamins, break down food particles, reduce allergic responses to foods, and prevent yeast overgrowth. Gut flora also converts unused sugars to specific types of fatty acids that are used to regenerate more good bacteria.
Because the good flora destroys the bad flora, they also help stimulate the secretion of the Immunoglobulin A; an antibody that fights infection.
Recent research suggests that different strains of probiotics have different influences, so it’s important to know what you’re buying.
Foods That Supply Probiotics
Which Strains of Probiotics Help the Most?
Some strains of bacteria improve digestion, while others help burn fat. Still, other strains help produce helper T cells, which are important to immunity. Because they all have a specific purpose and active role, it’s important to consume a wide variety of strains with high numbers! In other words, the more strains and higher numbers there are, the more benefits they supply. Specifically, lactobacillus and bifidobacteria appear to be the leaders of the pack!Lactobacilli favor the small intestine while bifidobacteria tends to migrate to the large intestine. Ensuring that you’re getting both strains with your probiotics is vital to good health.
The most powerful strains include:
What Your Probiotics Label Tells You
Reading labels is not a favorite pastime for most people but it’s monumentally important when you’re choosing a product. The label should always contain the genus, species, and strain for each one of the probiotics within the product.The product label should also indicate the health benefits, suggested serving size, (which you may need more or less of), an expiration date, (extremely important) and the number of live microorganisms that are delivered with each serving. Levels are typically communicated as colony forming units or CFU’s.
Lastly, proper storage conditions and corporate contact information should also be clearly visible.
There's no doubt that in today's world, people are in desperate need of help digesting the quick-bite foods that have overtaken the food industry. It is quite a relief to recognize that there are still some good guys out there! Probiotics can work miracles in your body and make your life better - in more ways than you may ever realize.
Always consult your physician before using natural remedies, especially for anyone with preexisting conditions or anyone currently taking prescription medications. Although many efforts are made to ensure that the advice given on this site is professionally sound, the advice is not intended to replace a mutual relationship with a medical provider.
Related Pages on This Site
Raw Foods Diet – A Healthy Way to Lose Weight
Eat Fiber Rich Foods to Lose Weight
Avoid Digestive Problems by Eating Right!
Digestive Problems – Foods to Avoid & Foods to Include
Intestinal Bacteria - Rejuvenate with Rejuvelac!
Eat More High Fiber Food – Good Sources
High Fiber Diet to Increase Soluble Fiber
Resources:
Digestive Health and Probiotic Strains
How to Choose a Probiotic
Lactobaccilus Plantarum 299
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