The Health Benefits Of Maintaining Intestinal Health

Probiotics are live microorganisms found in the human digestive system and are a contributing factor to the intestinal health. They are labeled as the good bacteria. Probiotics are made available to people in the form of dietary supplements and foods.

Some of the dietary supplements containing Probiotics are capsules, tablets, and powders. A few of the examples of foods that contain Probiotics include yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh, certain juices, and soy beverages. In most probiotic supplements and foods, the bacteria may have already been present or added during preparation.

Most of Probiotics are bacteria that are identical to those which are naturally found in your intestines, such as breastfeeding infants for their natural protection against many diseases.

These good bacteria can come either in lactobacillus or bifidobacterium. Within each of this group are different species, and within each species, there are different varieties. A few common Probiotics like the Saccharomyces boulardii are yeasts and different from bacteria.

There are quite a few reasons why people take daily probiotic supplement. For one thing, individuals take Probiotics as a Complementary Alternative Medicine or CAM to prevent and treat illnesses, and to maintain general good health.

It also helps keep the balance between good and bad bacteria in the human system, for another thing. Factors such as yeasts, fungi and parasites can cause imbalance between the unfriendly and friendly bacteria, and which in turn can trigger some diseases.

The human body consists of trillions of microorganisms disseminated throughout. The intestines are just among the internal organs that host bacteria. Probiotics can help keep the intestinal health of an individual and thus makes him healthy.

Another use of probiotic supplements is to ease the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the intestines do not have the accurate enzymes essential to digest large amounts of sugar in milk, which causes gastrointestinal symptoms as well.

Another interesting fact that makes probiotics good for intestinal health is the existence of cells in the digestive tract that is connected with the immune system. A theory that is considered by medical professionals is that when you modify the microorganisms in an individual’s intestinal tract, you can affect the immune system’s defenses.

Admittedly, the scientific understanding of this type of good bacteria and their potential benefits in preventing and treating medical conditions is still in its infancy. Nevertheless, it is progressing.

Take for example the conference report prepared after the conclusion of the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and which convened by the American Society for Microbiology revealed that there are applications of probiotic formulation with evidence of benefits.

These applications include the treatment of diarrhea especially from rotavirus, prevention and treatment of urinary tract infection, treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, reduction of recurrence of bladder cancer, and prevention and treatment of pouchitis.

Certain probiotic formulations can also shorten the length of intestinal infection caused by a bacterium known as Clostridium difficile. All in all, probiotic supplements and foods can impact your intestinal health.