Friday, February 27, 2009

Advantage of Probiotics Supplements

By Ricardo Reeves

Probiotics are type of supplements that are given to humans or animals as they contain bacteria and yeast that help the nutritional system. These supplements assist the good bacteria in our bodies regenerate, and a reduction in these bacteria may be one of the causes our stomach to become upset. Probiotics therefore strengthen our resistance levels and help us battle 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.

Probiotics, as mentioned before, can help us combat many illnesses. This is the reason for their use in many packaged foods. One benefit of these is that they allow lactose intolerant people consume more lactose, as Probiotics convert lactose into lactic acid. Some tests have also revealed that Probiotics bond with the carcinogenic substances contained in meat, and as a result potentially prevent cancer of the colon. However, although this has been tested on rodents, human trials have been inconclusive so far.

Probiotics could also be helpful in lowering cholesterol, because 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 proven to reduce blood pressure in some experiments. Even though the change in blood pressure is negligible, this is an indication that the supplements may be useful for 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 able to control inflammation and hypersensitivity. Clinical trials have shown that these can also be used to treat inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotics also help reduce mal-absorption of minerals, particularly in diets 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, same as other supplements, would assist you to stay healthy, so you should ask your doctors advice about them and find out if they might help any of your existing conditions. If you are a frequent traveller, you should ask your doctor about taking some with you to protect you against diarrhoea. - 15255

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