By Vesna Tomašević |
The benefits of living bacteria |
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Most people thinking of probiotics evoke images of yogurt that we see on commercials.
However, the good bacteria are not a marketing gimmick or a dieting trend.
Living cultures of these friendly bacteria in the form of fermented foods were even used by our ancestors, who knew they could greatly assist them in the prevention and treatment of many diseases.
At the present time, the interest in probiotics is becoming larger.
This is due to a number of scientific discoveries that prove beneficial effects of probiotics on almost the entire body.
Good bacteria "for life"
The word "probiotic" comes from the Greek "pro bios", which literally means "for life."
The term was used for the first time by Lilley and Stillwell in 1965 to describe substances excreted by one microorganism and which encouraged the growth of other microorganisms.
More than 1,000 different species of bacteria live in our digestive tract, helping us break down food and absorb nutrients.
Antibiotics (anti bios - life killers), or drugs intended for the destruction of destructive bacteria, can also kill healthy intestinal flora that helps with digestion.
Therefore, after a patient has taken antibiotics doctors often prescribe the use of probiotics in order for us to reestablish healthy bacteria in the digestive tract.
Probiotics are also useful in stopping diarrhea associated with antibiotics, which kill many people in hospitals every year.
But that is not all.
Research suggests that probiotics can help with many other health problems and they can:
- strengthen immunity
- prevent infection
- ease, even completely cure, allergies and asthma
- increase resistance to stress
- protect against vaginal infections
- promote weight loss
- relieve stomach problems
- help with infantile spasms
- successfully treat dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis
Antibiotics help with digestive and stomach problems
Probiotics help with various types of indigestion.
They are a great aid against abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. They may even be useful for people with irritable bowel syndrome.
In one study, patients noticed significant relief of symptoms such as abdominal pain and irregular stool after they got a supplement that contained a bacterial strain called Bifidobacterium infantis.
Probiotics help in the overall management of indigestion even if the person has no specific health problems.
Guard the health of the urinary tract
Numerous studies have shown that probiotics should be taken if you suffer from urinary tract infections.
Regular use of probiotics can prevent the onset of bad bacteria in the urinary system.
This is achieved by maintaining a population of healthy bacteria in the body.
Urinary tract infections are very common, especially in women.
Most infections disappear with antibiotics, but research shows that about 30 to 40 percent of infections can repeat.
Regular use of probiotics can prevent recurrence of the disease.
Prevent vaginal infections
Just as the digestive tract, our intimate organs rely on the delicate balance of good and bad bacteria.
When this balance is disrupted, there can occur some very unpleasant and frequent infections.
Bacterial infections of intimate organs can lead to fungal infections.
Recent studies have revealed that L. acidophilus can prevent yeast infection and help in cases of already occurring infections in women.
It should be noted that the probiotics in these studies were used as a vaginal suppository, and not as a dietary supplement.
Preserve the health of the mother and fetus
Probiotics may have a special role in human health, since pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to vaginal infections.
Given that bacterial vaginosis is one of the factors that cause premature birth, probiotics have once again proved to be a potential solution, but this time also for the health of the fetus.
Strengthen immunity
One of the main functions of healthy bacteria is to stimulate an immune response.
For example, in one study involving students it was shown that those who were given a fermented milk drink instead of milk had an increased production of lymphocytes, indicating the strength of immunity.
By consuming foods rich in probiotics and maintaining the high quality of intestinal flora, you can strengthen your immune system.
Promote weight loss
Stanford University researchers found in 2006 that obese people have different intestinal bacteria compared to people of average weight.
It was the first sign that the intestinal flora plays a role in maintaining a healthy body weight.
In a study of women in the postpartum period, the addition of probiotic strain called Lactobacillus Bifidobacterium helped them to quickly reduce the waist circumference.
Reduce the risk of allergies and asthma
PANDA (Probiotics and Allergy) research conducted in 2007 proved there is a strong link between intestinal flora and allergies.
The researchers chose women who were suffering from seasonal allergies or whose partners suffered from allergies, so that they and their children had a great chance of developing allergies and asthma.
Pregnant women who took probiotics during pregnancy had an 80% lower incidence of allergies, dermatitis and asthma in children.
If your child has allergies, asthma or dermatitis, it is still not too late. In such cases, studies show beneficial effects of probiotic bacteria.
Sources of probiotic bacteria
The main sources of probiotic bacteria are fermented products such as kefir, miso (fermented soy pasta), tempeh, sauerkraut, homemade uncooked cheese or yogurt containing probiotic bacteria.
If you need a large dose of probiotic bacteria, especially after antibiotic therapy, or in cases of indigestion, allergies or asthma, you can buy them in pharmacies in the form of powder or liquid.
In doing so definitely make sure they do not contain artificial colors, flavours, preservatives, gluten or lactose.
Premium quality probiotics without additives, gluten and lactose are available in Alternativa Webshop.
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