If you are wondering what are probiotics, they are living microorganisms or good bacteria that dwell in the human digestive system. They help promote overall wellness and aid in thwarting off bad bacteria that cause various types of diseases.
Probiotics help cure various ailments, enhance the immune system, and absorb the necessary nutrients in food. They also aid in curing diarrhea, abnormal bowel movements, gastrointestinal illness, fungal and bacterial infections, colon cancer and bladder cancer.
What Are Probiotics – Sources
Probiotics can be found in food such as yogurt, miso or fermented tofu, kimchi or sauerkraut which is fermented cabbage, and buttermilk. They are also sold as food supplements. The supplements may be taken three times a day depending on medical advice given by a person’s doctor.
What are Probiotics – Types
Strains of bacteria are not similar to each other. While some have healthy benefits, some also give mild discomfort in the tummy. But generally, these types of bacteria are not harmful. Take note that the colon preserves its health by having 85% of good bacteria and just 15% of bad bacteria.
What are Probiotics – Groups
Of all the groups of probiotics, the Lactobacillus and Bifido groups are the most common. They both have different strains and species to help protect the digestive system and immune system. Lactobacillus acidophilus is a good bacteria that cures diarrhea caused by antibiotics.
This strain also helps treat yeast and urinary tract infections. As of the moment, research on this strain’s benefits to ward off colon cancer is still being conducted. A part of this research also claims that Lactobacillus acidophilus protects a person from the bad effects of radiation and chemotherapy.
Another specie of probiotics is the Bifidobacterium Infantis. This helps in treating diarrhea in babies and lactose intolerance. It also assists in maintaining and regulating bowel movements.
Streptococcus Thermophilus is another probiotic specie that is known to help cure bowel infections and pouchitis. Pouchitis usually happens after an ulcerative colitis surgery.
Lactobacillis casei are strains that can cure bacterial infections and assist the body to have a stronger immune system. They also help the body guard itself from various diseases.
To help probiotics grow, prebiotics is necessary. These are non-living and non-digestible substances that are considered the food of probiotics. Prebiotics can be found in wheat, oats, honey, banana, tomatoes, leeks, grains, asparagus, garlic, onions and artichokes.
It is better to first supply the body with prebiotics so as to strengthen and multiply the existing probiotics in the intestines.
