Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Advantage of Probiotics Supplements

By Ricardo Reeves

Probiotics are a kind of supplements that are given to humans or animals because they contain bacteria and yeast that help the dietary system. These supplements help the good bacteria in our bodies regenerate, and a reduction in these bacteria may cause our stomach to become upset. Probiotics thus strengthen our immunity and help us combat illnesses.

The most frequent kind of Probiotic is Lactic Acid Bacteria, and it is commonly used in the majority food we eat because it converts carbohydrates into lactic acid. This is also what helps in giving the yoghurt and other fermented diaries items their sour taste, and lower the PH level in these foods to decrease the probability of bad bacteria growing in them.

As previously discussed Probiotics, could help us in fighting many diseases. For this reason they are used in majority of packaged foods. They are beneficial because they allow lactose intolerant people consume more lactose, as Probiotics convert lactose into lactic acid. Some trials have also shown that Probiotics bond with the carcinogenic substances contained in meat, and as a result potentially prevent cancer of the colon. On the other hand, although this has been tested on rodents, human trials have been unconvincing up till now.

Probiotics can also be used to lower cholesterol, as it breaks down bile in the human gut, which prevents it from being reabsorbed and entering the blood in the form of cholesterol. Probiotics have also been shown to reduce blood pressure in trials. While the change in blood pressure is minimal, this is a sign that the supplements may potentially be of use to people suffering from high blood pressure.

Probiotics will also assist building a strong immune system. They do this by competing with other bacteria for growth and wiping them out during the procedure. Supplements given to trial patients have proven to reduce the respiratory tract infections together with dental problems. They have also been used as a remedy and to prevent travel-related diarrhoea in adults together with the children. Patients with diarrhoea caused by the excess usage of antibiotics have also been successfully cured by Probiotics. They also assist in reducing the amount of harmful bacteria in the intestine during times of stress.

Foods and supplements with Probiotics have also been known to control inflammation and hypersensitivity. Clinical tests have proven that these can also be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotics may also be helpful in reducing mal-absorption of minerals, mainly in foods that have a high phytate level.

Finally, a Probiotic supplement called Align has been found to cure irritable bowel syndrome in women. This is also now available under other names in the market, and there is one supplement (VSL3) that has been used to effectively treat ulcerative colitis.

Probiotics, similar to other supplements, are very helpful for you to stay healthy, so you should ask your doctors advice about them and find out if they are helpful for any of your present problems. If you are on the move, you should ask your doctor about using some with you to protect you against diarrhoea. - 14130

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