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The Many Uses of Probiotics
Probiotics are known as the "good bacteria", they are found in our small intestine and colon. They help keep our immune system working and help digest food so we get all our nutrients and vitamins from our food. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations defines probiotics as "live microorganisms administered in adequate amounts which confer a beneficial health effect on the host".
Probiotics are often used along with antibiotics for those who may suffer from diarrhea, cramping, or gas because antibiotics kill the good bacteria as well as disease-causing bacteria. These good bacteria can be used to help with problems with our digestive system and more.
An inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis is a serious intestinal disease that can lead to the surgical removal of the colon. The cause of this disease is not known, but it is theorized that an intolerance to the normal microbes and their functions in the gut leads to inflammation. Efforts to identify the single microbe that causes this has not been effective, it is believed to be from a "community" of microbes. Several controlled clinical trials have shown that high levels of certain probiotic strains can reduce the inflammation and extend the period of remission.
The immune system is very complex, but basically fights against any infectious agents. Immunodeficiency can result from certain diseases such as cancer, leukemia, and AIDS, but it can happen to a small extent during pregnancy, old age, or stress. Autoimmune diseases such as allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis can occur from the immune system not working properly. Probiotic cultures have shown to stimulate certain cellular and antibody functions of the immune system. Some studies have shown yogurt or lactic acid bacteria can enhance levels of certain immunoreactive cells. Probiotics may provide an additional tool to help your body protect itself.
Probiotic bacteria have even been shown to help people with kidney stones. A high level of oxalate in the urine is a risk factor for developing kidney stones. Some intestinal microbes use the oxalate and lower the amount being absorbed. A probiotic preparation that contained bacteria that were able to degrade oxalate was shown to help some people. The probiotic bacteria can have a positive effect by lowering the amount of oxalate absorbed by the body.
Many people are lactose intolerant which means they can't digest lactose, which is milk sugar. For people who don't have a high enough level of lactase, the lactose-digesting enzyme, they may experience diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain, and flatulence when they eat dairy products. These symptoms are from the undigested lactose going into the large intestine and being fermented by the colonic microbes. Because of this, many people avoid dairy products which could lower their intake of calcium.
It has been documented that many lactose intolerant people are able to eat fermented dairy products, such as yogurt, with very little side effects compared to those unfermented dairy products. Yogurt helps with the digestion of lactose because the lactic acid bacteria in the yogurt deliver lactase to the intestines where it breaks down the lactose before reaching the colon. Make sure to speak to your physician before starting probiotics.
About the Author If you're looking for more information about probiotics or are in the market to buy probiotics please check out The Perfect Probiotic, a full spectrum probiotic supplement which contains 8 strains of beneficial bacteria that are essential for your immune system and digestive health.
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