Probiotics for Health Support

Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are friendly bacteria that normally occur in the human gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary tracts and play important roles in promoting good health. They are also friendly because they are used therapeutically as probiotics (the opposite of antibiotics) for the purpose of re-colonizing areas of the body where they may be depleted for one reason or another. This is important since the body relies on beneficial bacteria for several functions, including nutrient absorption, preventing colonization by pathogenic bacteria and metabolizing foods and certain drugs. Probiotic bacteria are found in some fermented food products (i.e., yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut) as well as in dietary supplements.

Different types of Species

The other primary group of beneficial bacteria are the Bifidobacteria, which normally colonize in the human colon and, like Lactobacillus species, produce lactic acid. Bifidobacteria work to block bacterial infection in the gut, producing antimicrobial substances that are effective against many harmful gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In fact, some species of Bifidobacteria (including B. infantis, B. breve and B. longum) bind to the intestinal mucosa and prevent attachment of pathogenic coliform bacteria.

Probiotic Benefits

Probiotics come in different types. Each of the types offer specific health benefits. In clinical studies that have been conducted L. rhamnosus did enhance the natural immunity in adults by simply increasing activity of certain white blood cells. NK cells are a major role in the immune system. Their role is to reject and tumors or cells that are infected by viruses. This probiotic can also help greatly with diarrhea.

L. rhamnosus can increase IFN-gamma or also known as interferon-gamma, which shows that it can protect effects against the intestinal mucosa in your body. Interferons can be natural proteins that are produced by the immune system cells’. These are created in a response to challenges by unhealthy objects such as tumor cells, viruses, and parasites. This IFN has great properties which can help your body.

Better known is the bacteria strain L. acidophilus. The benefits of this healthy bacteria is the ability to confront bacterial vaginosis, which is a cause of vaginal infections. Intravaginal suppositories containing L. acidophilus greatly improved infection in vaginosis compared to placebos. Tablets with estrogen may also get rid of bacterial vaginosis, along with yogurt and some other foods. This also helps the growth of Helicobacter pylori, or peptic ulcers in the body.

Effective Supplementation

Studies have shown that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria have a great safety profile and are tolerated very well, when used orally and appropriately. One of the more common effects from this is flatulence which will be mild, and usually subsides over time as supplementation is on-going. Children beware because bifidobacteria will also lead to diarrhea. No drug interactions are know with these species.

There are many supplements to chose from, which contain many types of probiotic species. You may want to purchase a probiotic that contains multiple species. It is recommended to take 10 billion (CFU) colony forming units a day, but 14 CFO may be more powerful.

For additional health benefit, many probiotic products also deliver prebiotics, such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which promote the growth and activity of probiotic bacteria. FOS particularly may even help relieve constipation by increasing fecal mass.

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