Probiotics- full text link ------
Do you buy yoghurt or yoghurt drinks bursting with 'friendly bacteria'? Well, you may buy it, and it might have good bacteria added, but not necessarily the type you need to improve your health. The main types of probiotics beneficial to humans are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium. Beware cheap and cheerful marketing ploys. The best yoghurt in regards to friendly bacteria would be homemade, where you have complete control. Beyond that I would look for an organic, natural yoghurt containing LIVE bacteria. It does you no good if the little critters are dead.
Lactobacillus bacteria offer remarkable health protection through the following functions; aid the digestion and absorption of nutrients, help prevent cancer through detoxification or through anti-tumour effects, produce B vitamins, destroy invading bacteria by producing antibiotic substances, inhibit and control hostile yeasts such as candida, and protect the cardiovascular system by reducing cholesterol levels. One scientist has claimed probiotics are the source of youth as they hold off degenerative diseases by protecting the bowel from harmful bacteria.
Realistically these little bugs in our bowels could be the answer to immunity. See, there is a competition for space in our intestines. The acid loving bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, give us tremendous protection as mentioned above. When we don't have enough of them either due to antibiotic use, other drug therapy such as chemo, high meat or junk diet, or any gastric complaint such as Crohn's disease or chronic diarrhoea, the balance is upset in favour of the bad guys.
These are the putrefactive bacteria that take over our bowels and encourage infectious bacteria to make a home, promote tumour growth, and create a sticky plaque that adheres to the bowel wall, reducing its ability to absorb nutrients. Obviously this is no good for us and we need to eradicate these damaging bacteria.
Start using friendly bacteria to combat the bad bacteria. It is what they naturally do best. If you have a history of bowel troubles such as chronic constipation or IBS, I would suggest you skip the yoghurt and go straight to high doses of the probiotics encapsulated. Studies also indicate probiotics can help people suffering from allergies so their effects can be more far reaching than just the bowel.
Make sure your acidophilus is kept in the fridge. Take on an empty stomach first thing in the morning before anything else. If you have been on antibiotics several times or been on one continuously for acne or other complaints, you definitely need a high potency acidophilus.
If you are highly sensitive to dairy you will need a non-dairy formula. Please note that infants need Bifidobacteria infantis and do not tolerate Lactobacillus acidophilus. Use an infant formula for babies or ask if in doubt.
I will put the full text of this essay (for my nutrition course) onto my website as I feel there is a lot to be gained from probiotics. I would encourage you all to read it and see how you can boost your immunity through simple yet very powerful means.
