| The term "probiotics" has been floating around | | | | Immune System & Infection Prevention |
| lately, but what does it all mean? Probiotics are | | | | It has been suggested that probiotics, specifically |
| bacteria that help the body's natural bacteria | | | | lactic acid bacteria, play several key roles in the |
| balance and ensure proper gastrointestinal function. | | | | immune system. By competing for growth in the |
| Available in many foods, as a pill, or in the form | | | | body, probiotics are thought to protect the body |
| of a powder, probiotics are easy to incorporate | | | | from pathogens by reducing their spread and |
| into your daily schedule and are a must for the | | | | duration. In addition, probiotics are thought to |
| young and old alike. | | | | boost the numbers of numerous immune system |
| Research has shown that probiotics can provide | | | | components, including T lymphocytes and plasma |
| benefits for numerous conditions and illnesses, | | | | cells responsible for the production of IgA. In |
| including cholesterol management, blood pressure, | | | | numerous clinical trials, probiotics have been shown |
| and much more. Here's a quick rundown of some | | | | to reduce rates of respiratory tract infections and |
| of the diseases probiotics can help. | | | | ease traveler's diarrhea. |
| Cholesterol Management | | | | Colon Cancer Prevention |
| As demonstrated in animals, lactic acid bacteria | | | | A few strains of lactic acid bacteria have shown |
| are able to lower to cholesterol levels in the blood. | | | | their ability to bind and neutralize carcinogenic |
| The exact mechanism is still unknown, but most | | | | substances found in cooked meat. However, |
| assumptions point to the probiotics interacting | | | | human data is still inconclusive, suggesting that the |
| with and breaking down bile in the GI tract. If bile | | | | lactic acid bacteria may interact with a specific |
| is not broken down, it proceeds to reenter the | | | | enzyme to reduce carcinogenic effects. |
| blood as cholesterol. | | | | Lactose Intolerance |
| Antibiotic-related Diarrhea | | | | Due to the fact that many probiotic bacteria are |
| Antibiotics have the tendency to disrupt the | | | | actually lactic acid bacteria, the incorporation of |
| natural balance of gut bacteria, and when this | | | | probiotics has the potential to increase the body's |
| happens, diarrhea is usually the result. By taking | | | | capacity to process lactose. For an even bigger |
| probiotics, a significant decrease in diarrhea was | | | | benefit, consider using a probiotic supplement in |
| shown. Specifically, a 2007 University of Montreal | | | | conjunction with yogurt, as the cultures in yogurt |
| study showed that a "lactobacilli-fermented" | | | | are also beneficial in processing lactose. |
| solution lowered diarrhea rates in antibiotic | | | | All in all, probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help |
| recipients. | | | | to benefit the gastrointestinal system. In addition, |
| Irritable Bowel Syndrome | | | | the wide-ranging effects of these bacteria are |
| In a recent study, Procter & Gamble's Align | | | | starting to be uncovered, and could prove to be |
| (B.infantis 35624) was demonstrated to ease | | | | useful tools in the fights against cancer, high |
| some of the symptoms of irritable bowel | | | | cholesterol, and irritable bowel syndrome, to name |
| syndrome in women. In addition, a probiotic | | | | a few. Get started today, but remember to |
| cocktail, VSL3, was shown to help manage | | | | consult with a doctor before starting any probiotic |
| ulcerative colitis. | | | | regimen. |