Uses and Benefits of Probiotics

Probiotics live in the gastrointestinal tract and are called "friendly bacteria", rather than "bad bacteria". Probiotics are living microorganisms that can be taken as food supplements. When taken as a health supplement, it is used to help restore good bacterial populations in the intestinal tract. They are similar to what is found naturally in the gastrointestinal tract. There are different types of probiotics, and each operates in different capacities. Working together, they contribute to one's health and help prevent illness.

The purpose of friendly bacteria is many. They help digest, absorb, and metabolize food. They help eliminate toxins. They strengthen the immune system and thus help protect against microorganisms that can cause disease. There are actually about 400 different types of probiotic bacteria in the human digestive tract. A well-known probiotic, Lactobacillus acidophilus, is found in cultured yogurt. Sometimes people eat yogurt with the aim of increasing this probiotic intake. However, for this to work, it has to be a living culture yogurt. Pasteurization kills probiotics with heat.

When people have digestive problems, one thing they can try to improve their digestion is to increase their probiotic intake. This can be done through supplements. Increased probiotics can help prevent diarrhea, cramps and gas. They are also useful in cases of vaginal yeast and urinary tract infections. When antibiotics are taken, they kill both good and bad bacteria, so taking probiotics helps build and restore the natural balance that should be in the gut. Other probiotic benefits may prevent infection in the digestive tract, help control inflammation, and help with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There are ongoing studies on probiotics and their benefits.

Probiotics taken as a supplement complement what has happened naturally in the digestive tract. Various groups of people around the world have created probiotics as part of their diet with certain direct foods they make and eat. This is mainly a product of cultural milk such as yogurt, acidophilus milk and kefir. Other probiotic foods are sauerkraut, Korean kimchi, miso soup, processed cheeses such as Gouda, salads, sour pickles, soy sauce, and probiotic supplements. If the list gets your digestive juices it may be because your body is talking to you for more probiotics. Probiotics are considered a type of food. If you have any questions about probiotics, this should be directed to your doctor or primary care provider.

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