Probiotics
— For Your Life
Probiotic comes from the Greek "for
life." Probiotics have been defined as "organisms and substances
which contribute to intestinal microbial balance." What we're talking
about here are beneficial intestinal bacteria, the same and similar bacterial
cultures that make milk into yogurt and cabbage into sauerkraut.
Probiotics live in our intestinal tract, mainly in
the bowels. Over 400 different species of micro-organisms make their home in
the healthy intestine. They can weigh up to 3 pounds, and have so many
important functions in our bodies that they can be thought of as an exogenous
organ. Throughout the digestive system, their numbers can be as high as 100
trillion. They actually outnumber the cells of the human body by as much as
100 to one!!!
This mass is formed of both healthful and harmful
species. By weight, there are actually more bad guys. However, among the many
functions of the desirable microflora is the job of keeping the undesirables
in line. Other functions include assisting in the digestive process, helping
to alleviate gastric disorders, eliminating bad breath, preventing yeast
infections, lowering blood cholesterol, producing B vitamins and vitamin K,
and stimulating the immune system. The bacterial balance of the intestines is
the fulcrum of health. It determines whether there is a suitable environment
for the wall of the colon or one that is a constant irritant to it. This in
turn determines our fundamental state of health.
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Keywords: Acidophilus,
Acne, Anemia, Antibiotics, Bacteria, Bad breath, Bladder infection, Candida
albicans, Constipation, Diarrhea, Food allergy, FOS, Fructooligosaccharides,
High cholesterol, Hormonal problems, Intestinal health, Menstrual problems,
Osteoporosis, PMS, Probiotics, Prostate, Supplements, Vaginal infections
Topics: Get Some Culture, Feeding Our Friends,
Common Problems Associated with Inadequate Numbers of Probiotics, Supplement
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