by Maggi Thomas

Created on: September 03, 2010

The human body, particularly the digestive system (the gut), contains billions of friendly bacteria which can provide health benefits by keeping the immune system healthy and protecting our bodies against harmful bacteria.

Probiotics are found in food like yogurt, fermented milk, unpasteurized food, tempura, soy drinks and in some juices. Here are some diseases that can be successfully treated with probiotic food:

Traveler’s Diarrhea:

Traveling to foreign countries always carries the risk of developing an illness which is caused by bacteria. This is usually caused by the drinking of contaminated water. Drinking unsafe water can lead to severe abdominal discomfort, violent sickness, and diarrhea.

If this happens, it is a good idea to eat probiotic enriched food such as natural yogurt to restore the natural balance of the gut, as well as to drink plenty of safe bottled water to rehydrate the body.

To prevent this from occurring in the first place, it is recommended to take a probiotic supplement before visiting foreign countries, especially those which are well known for the poor quality of their drinking water. According to an article which was recently published in the medical journal 'Alternative Medicine Review', probiotic supplements or probiotic enriched food can prevent traveler’s diarrhea without any side effects.

Diarrhea with Antibiotics:

Antibiotics kill both the bad and good bacterium. Killing the beneficial bacteria in the body can result in diarrhea, cramps, abdominal discomfort and bloating. Eating yogurt or taking a probiotic supplement can help to re-colonize the intestinal tract with good bacteria.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (I.B.S):

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is caused by a lack of the bacterial strain 'Lactobacillus' in the intestines. Recent studies have shown that the use of probiotic supplements can relieve some of the symptoms associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome by replenishing the gut with these necessary bacteria.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease:

Probiotic supplements can relieve the symptoms of intestinal conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease, which is an inflammation of the large intestine alone, and Crohn’s disease, which is an inflammation of both the large and small intestines.

Lactose Intolerance:

Sometimes the body cannot tolerate lactose which is the protein found in milk. An intolerance to lactose can result in painful gastrointestinal problems. The use of probiotics can help the body to tolerate the lactose, and therefore digest the milk, by producing the missing enzyme which is the cause of lactose intolerance.

Genito-urinary Problems:

Bacteria which is naturally found in the vagina causes the vagina to be far too acidic for harmful micro-organisms to survive. However, antibiotics and spermicides can cause the vagina to go out of balance and develop yeast infections. The best way to treat this is to apply live natural yogurt to the affected area. This will restore the balance of good bacteria.

Probiotic therapy can have an overall positive effect on human health. The probiotics are considered to be safe to be consumed and are effective for their purpose.

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