Probiotics literally means for life: "Pro+ biota". Bacteria laced food and drink sounds unhealthy (it is, if it's the wrong type); but the right type aids digestion and improves health. Symbiotic relationships exist throughout nature; two different organisms, or species, supply something the other needs, without any detriment. Good bacteria thrive within human intestinal and urogenital tracts, allowing humans to thrive. In symbiosis, we live together well.
Since the mid-1990s numerous clinical studies have demonstrated probiotics' benefits: delaying allergy development in children, preventing and treating vaginal and urinary tract infections in women, and treating gastrointestinal disorders, such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).
Northern Europeans and Japanese use brobiotics extensively. The United States has been slow to utilize their benefits. But recently American digestive specialists have begun encouraging their patients towards probiotics. This is a trend endorsed, and defended, by Harvard Medical School, the Mayo Clinic, and others in traditional medicine.
According to Harvard Medical, good bacteria inside healthy intestines aid in digestion and nutrient absorption, contribute to immune function, and keep pathogens (bad bacteria) in check. 100 trillion bacteria, representing 500 different species inhabit every normal, healthy bowel.
Another delicate ecosystem dependent upon probiotic microflora (those good bacteria) is the urogenital tract. Vaginal spermicides, antibiotics, and birth control pills bacterial may upset the normal balance. Vaginosis, yeast infections, and urinary tract infections occur when harmful microorganisms invade and flourish. Dominant lactobacilli strains usually make the urogenital tract too acid, too inhospitable to these invaders. Probiotics assist in returning the normal balance. But probiotics are only part of the equation: appropriate treatment to eradicate infections, and to treat any secondary health conditions, is essential.
Gastrointestinal problems respond better to traditional treatments with probiotcs added to the regimen. In a clinical study, patients with H.pylori infections (cause of many stomach ulcers) were treated with a combination of antibiotics and either probiotics or a placebo. Those receiving Probiotics reported less pain, less gas, and less nausea. Lactobacillus GC has been shown to reduce by 60% infectious diarrhea in children and enfants. Diarrhea caused by radiation therapy (cancer treatments) also improved when probiotics were combined with treatments.
Gastroenterologists at the Mayo Clinic agree scientific evidence is growing to support use of probiotics for conditions mentioned above. Two other probable benefits: decreased occurrence of childhood eczema and decreased recurrence of bladder cancer.
Probiotics interact with receptors in the lining of the intestines and with dendrites (nerve cells), inhibiting production of inflammatory T-cells. Probiotics also have an interactive affect upon mucous secreting genes, changing the characteristics of the mucus lining to be more inhospitable to penetration by bad bacteria. Additionally, probiotics secrete peptides with antibacterial effect against Salmonella this was effectively used by the poultry industry to combat those problems.
Consult a medical practitioner familiar with probiotics. Studies show that individual strains of probiotics (different types) have different immune effects and adherence properties. Discuss with your physician which you should take, how much is effective, and when probiotics should be taken.
When probiotics are taken in combination with antibiotics, don't ingest them together. If taken simultaneously, antibiotics may kill too many good bacteria before probiotics can help. Take antibiotics as indicated by your doctor (prescription will say how many times daily), allow time for digestion and their attack on the infection. Use probiotics between dosages of antibiotics to replenish good bacteria.
Probiotics can be found in supplements and also in some foods: yogurt, milk (fermented and non-fermented), miso, and some juices and soy drinks. Yogurt brands containing live, active strains are most effective when eaten in conjunction with fresh fruit. Natural sugars, and possibly other constituents, of the fruit feed the live strains in the yogurt. This keeps sufficient numbers alive and healthy to do battle for you.
Onions, asparagus, and Jerusalem artichokes contain carbohydrates that promote probiotic colonization of the gut. Breast milk promotes probiotic populations, and better infant health. Breast-fed babies have more lactobacillus (good bacteria) in their intestinal tract than bottle-fed babies. They also have less E. coli and Clostridium difficile (bad bacteria). Studies show that breast fed babies are less likely to develop food allergies later in life.
Consider the benefits of probiotics: for life.