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Understanding Probiotics

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Introduction

You will be surprised to know on how many microbes has just been a part of your body that are acting as superheroes to maintain the overall health. It’s around trillions of microbes diversely distributed and are known asgut microflorathat are filled with both bad and good microbes present in the key part of the digestive system – Gut. Normally people most often think that bacteria can only be harmful and cause variety of diseases. But that’s not true. For example: bacteria that are present in our gut aid in digestion, reduce pathogenic microorganisms etc.

It is vital to maintain balance between both good and bad microbes to promote healthy digestive system. The gut with more bad microbes’ causes tiredness, diarrhoea, compromised immune system and on a longer term with the unbalanced diet, may contribute to the development of Inflammatory and bowel syndrome, colon and liver cancer, arthritis, celiac disease etc.

What are Probiotics?

Good microbesare working hard to reduce the growth of harmful bacteria, maintaining the balance in gut flora and keeping us healthy and strong.These are popularly known as Probiotics which are nothing but the live bacteria and yeast thatare intended to have several health benefitsand a key role in overall health.

How many types of probiotics are naturally found?

Human digestive tract contains about 400 types ofprobiotic bacteria and the most common probiotic found belong to two groups called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Apart from these yeasts such as Saccharomyces boulardii are also a part of probiotic that arewidely found.

How do you acquire probiotics?

Probiotics are acquired when you just ingestmashed foodthat experiences to have roller coaster ride via foodpipe and travel all along the gut. These probiotics can be naturally found in the body or can be found in foods and supplements. We acquire probiotics in variety of food like legumes, fruits , fermented foods (yogurt) , milk products (aged cheeses) , supplement form as capsules, liquid and chewable and fortified food products like juices, chocolates, flour and cereal.

What are benefits of Probiotics?

Several benefits of probiotics have been studied and research has suggested that probiotic bacteria can

  • Decompose the food and aid in digestive function
  • Reduce cholesterol
  • Treat conditions like Irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Urinary and vaginal health, Liver disease, Tooth decay, periodontal disease
  • Reduce diarrhea
  • Improve tolerance to lactose
  • Improve brain function
  • Stimulate cell growth
  • Prevent allergies and cold
  • Strengthen immune system
  • Colic in infants

When to take probiotics?

Doctors recommend to ingest probiotics rite after the meal for maximum benefit.

How long one should take probiotics?

There is no fixed amount of time to start and stop probiotics. Daily intake it the optimal way to effectively use probiotics. However, it is always advisable to consult your gastroenterologist for the duration of use.

Discussion

Benefits of probiotics are several and it is important to know that research have suggested that probiotics play a crucial role in overall maintenance of the health.Visit a Gastroenterologist once in life timeto know more about the probiotics and on the health conditions of the digestive system.

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