According to WebMD: “Probiotics are microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast that are believed to improve health.”
How Do Probiotics Work?
Research has shown that certain digestive disorders occur when the balance of helpful bacteria in the intestines becomes disrupted. This scenario can happen after you have an infection or even after taking antibiotics. Other intestinal problems can occur when the lining inside the intestines becomes damaged. Probiotics, which are basically beneficial bacterial organisms, has shown to help.
“Probiotics can improve intestinal function and maintain the integrity of the lining of the intestines,” says Stefano Guandalini, MD, professor of pediatrics and gastroenterology at the University of Chicago Medical Center. These friendly bacteria may also help ward off diarrhea-causing organisms.
So What are Some of the Health Benefits:
Although studies are still going on in the realm of probiotics, researchers do have enough data to safely surmise that probiotics are most effective for:
- Enhanced immune system response
- Reduces negative affects of taking many types of antibiotics
- Aids in preventing and treating colon inflammation following surgery
- Helps to prevent eczema in youth
- Increased ability to digest food
- Therapeutic for viral respiratory tract infections by enhancing the overall immune system
- Reduces lactose intolerance
- Increases ability to assimilate the nutrients from food
- Acts as a remedy for bad breath (halitosis)
- Increases ability to synthesize vitamin B
- Increases ability to absorb calcium
- Promotes anti-tumor and anti-cancer activity in the body
- Acute childhood diarrhea
- Preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea
- Preventing pouchitis, an intestinal inflammation that can follow serious intestinal surgery
- Regulating immune response
- Treating and preventing eczema associated with cow’s milk allergy
Great, so which foods contain natural probiotics?
- Yogurt
- Kombucha Tea
- Miso Soup
- Soy Milk
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut
- Milk
- Dark Chocolate
- Microalgae
- Pickles
- Tempeh
- Kimchi
- Olives
