Probiotics
– Try These for Your Health!
by
Margaret Durst
The Green House
Previously
by Margaret Durst: Iodine
– Useful If You Need It!
Acidophilus
and other probiotics are familiar to many. Probiotics are the healthy
bacteria that inhabit our gut. The average healthy person has 4-5
pounds of these critters in their intestinal tract.
The word probiotic
means for life. Probiotics have several functions that
enhance our lives and are essential to good health. These include
synthesizing vitamins B complex and K, enhancing immune function
by crowding out yeast and parasites, producing enzymes, helping
regulate blood cholesterol, improving digestion and colon function,
and helping to prevent certain types of cancer.
Probiotics
are important because many things can upset the delicate balance
in our intestinal tract. These include use of antibiotics, steroids,
oral contraceptives, radiation, chlorinated water, refined sugar,
poor diet, poor digestion, constipation, stress, etc.
An imbalance
in the intestinal flora is known as dysbiosis. Many people have
this you could be one of them. When dysbiosis occurs, the
body becomes overloaded with toxins. Without essential probiotics,
partially digested proteins can enter the bloodstream, contributing
to allergies, eczema, nervous system disorders, rheumatoid arthritis,
asthma, fibromyalgia, hormone imbalances, joint pain, migraine headaches
and a variety of other immune system disorders.
GI tract problems
such as leaky bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, spastic colon
and irritable bowel syndrome are attributed to loss of probiotics
and the overgrowth of detrimental bacteria, yeast or parasites.
Over 60 percent
of you immune system is in your gut. When your intestinal tract
is balanced with the right kind of bacteria, you naturally feel
better, digest your food better and are more resistant to colds,
flus, bacteria and parasites.
There are
many good probiotic supplements on the market. Many of the companies
making the supplements have researched the specific strains that
will tend to colonize well. The delivery mechanism on the probiotics
is important too.
Enteric and
other specific gel coatings will ensure that the product is delivered
to the small and large intestines rather than destroyed in the highly
acidic environment of the stomach.
Also, probiotics
tend to lose potency if they sit on the shelf too long, so check
dates and make sure you have a live culture.
One of the
best (and most expensive) is Dr. Ohhiras that contains special
strains of lactic acid bacteria that help to normalize pH in the
colon. One specific strain contained in this probiotic has been
shown to be effective against some of the most potent antibiotic
resistant staph bacteria as well as E. coli and H. pylori.
Taking probiotics
helps to maintain a healthy balance in the intestinal tract. They
are particularly helpful if your digestive system is not working
as well as you would like. Probiotics are also useful for certain
skin conditions such as teenage acne.
Probiotics
are very helpful critters. It is these helpful bacteria that keep
us from being overrun with harmful bacteria, yeast, fungus and other
parasites.
May 24, 2011
Margaret
Durst owns The
Green House, a vitamin, herb and health food store in Mason,
Texas.
Copyright
© 2011 Margaret
Durst
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