The importance of probiotics
Probiotics refer to
friendly bacteria which contribute to the health of the intestinal tract.
Positive Health Affects.
A selection of the positive health affects of probiotics can be summarized as:
- They manufacture B-vitamins, such as biotin, niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6) and folic acid.
- They act as anti-carcinogenic (anti-cancer) factors, with powerful anti-tumour potentials.
- They act as 'watchdogs' by keeping an eye on, and effectively controlling, the spread of undesirable microorganisms (by altering the acidity of the region they inhabit and/or producing specific antibiotic substances, as well as by depriving rival unfriendly bacteria of their nutrients). The antibiotics some of the friendly bacteria produce are effective against many harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi. Not the least of the potentially harmful yeasts controlled by some lactobacilli is "Candida albicans," now implicated in many health problems in people who are malnourished or whose immune systems are depleted.
- They effectively help to control high cholesterol levels, thereby affording us protection from the cardiovascular damage which excessive levels of this nevertheless important substance can create.
- They sometimes act to relieve the symptoms of anxiety.
- They play a role in protecting against the negative effects of radiation and toxic pollutants, enhancing immune function.
- They help considerably to enhance bowel function. Where bowel bacteria are absent, the function of peristalsis is impaired, and the amount of time it take for food to pass completely through the system is much increased.
- 60 percent of the circulating female hormones such as estrogen are excreted into the GI tract in the bile. The hormones are then, in normal conditions, acted upon - a process known as deconjugation - by bacterial enzymes such as sulphatase catalyse before most of it (some is excreted in the faeces) is re-absorbed into the bloodstream. From there, it is sent back to the liver for reactivation into a biologically active form.
- Unhealthy diet, especially a diet that leads to regular indigestion.
- Poor digestion of food from various causes and/or poor elimination of wastes.
- Antibiotics can kill read more
