Benefits of Probiotics

Probiotics are live organisms that can benefit the body. In the digestive system, there is a healthy balance between good bacteria and bad bacteria. If this balance remains at normal levels, the digestive system works properly. If an imbalance occurs, a person can have lots of digestive problems.

Probiotics is a general term used to describe a particular strain of beneficial bacteria or a combination of strains. Not all probiotic bacteria or yeasts serve the same purpose. Some help to control diarrhea, others help to end constipation. It is best to research all options and find which would be beneficial to your individual needs. Here are just a few of the available probiotic strains:

 Contrary to recent advertising hype, probiotics are not a new idea. The health benefits of regular probiotic intake have been studied since the early 20^th century.

Probiotics are being studied for the treatment of a number of conditions:

• Diarrhea
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Colon cancer
• Constipation
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Autoimmune conditions
• Ulcers
• Inflammatory diseases
• And more!

Bacterial imbalances have been shown to cause a wide variety of health concerns, and probiotics have proven to restore good bacterial populations. But how do these bacterial populations become imbalanced in the first place? There are several reasons:

• Highly processed foods
• Genetically modified foods
• Antibiotics (kill good bacteria along with bad bacteria)
• Other medications (acid blockers, cholesterol lowering medications, narcotic painkillers, etc.)
• Infections

Although this is in no way an exhaustive list, it does cover some of the most common reasons.

Adding probiotics to your diet can be very beneficial, but they can also be expensive. Before buying a probiotic supplement, you may want to first try plain yogurt that contains live cultures. Plain yogurt should be unflavored and no “fruit-on-the-bottom. If you do not notice a difference after a couple of weeks, you can try an over-the-counter probiotic.

When considering a probiotic, quality is everything. Make sure you buy from a natural foods store, and read the box carefully. You intestines have bacteria counts totaling in the trillions, so if your probiotic totals are in millions, they won’t make much of a difference. Try looking for a brand where bacteria population totals are in the tens of billions. It may take a few weeks to notice a definite change, but many people do report a remarkable difference in overall digestion. Some people even report complete remission of symptoms pertaining to Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Chron’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, and other digestive disorders.

Remember, there is no magic pill. In order to get the most from any dietary addition, be sure that you are eating only fresh, locally grown vegetables, some fruits, and meats from a butcher. Stay away from anything man-made or processed. Eliminate sugar from your diet completely. Drink plenty of water, exercise daily, and get good quality sleep.

Remember, you are the most important factor in your pain-free life!