We All Have Good Bacteria Inside Us

Probiotics are live microorganisms such as bacteria or yeasts that when taken in adequate amounts, are thought to be beneficial to people’s health. These cultures are intended to aid the body’s naturally occurring gut flora in the intestines. The digestive tract contains more than 400 types of naturally occurring probiotics.

Probiotic means “for life”. A healthy lower intestine should have at least 85% “good bacteria to maintain health and prevent disease. We have one and a half kilograms of bacteria living in our intestinal tract, which are a major part of our immune and digestive systems. Healthy intestinal function is critical to good health. A healthy diet aids the delicate balance of the bacteria inside us, and supplements can also help.

The Friendly Bacteria.

“Friendly bacteria” is available in the form of dietary supplements, or foods.  Yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, and some juices are examples of foods that contain probiotics. The number of live organisms can vary greatly in food products due to processing methods. Food sources or supplements can both be effective. Food is advantageous in that you also get nutritional benefits from it, but supplements can be more convenient for some people.

The bacteria often comes from two groups: Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, and is similar to bacteria naturally found in the gut.

Doctors, or more often nutritionists sometimes recommend Probiotics, after taking a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill “good” bacteria along with “bad” bacteria, which can lead to yeast and urinary tract infections. Research has shown that certain probiotics are able to help restore the balance in the intestines. Scientific tests also point towards probiotics being effective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Enteric-coated probiotics help the microbes survive through the stomach to the lower intestine.

Damaging Natural Bacteria.

Two of the most damaging substances to gut flora are chlorine and sodium fluoride. These are present in many beverages. Alcoholic beverages are also destructive to the delicate bacterial balance in the intestine. Poor eating habits, drinking chlorinated water, use of antibiotics in food, environmental toxins, and stress all contribute to destroying naturally occurring probiotics. When there isn’t enough “good” bacteria problems can arise, such as bloating, constipation, yeast infections, and poor absorption of nutrients in the system.

Scientific research still needs to be done to prove which probiotics, by themselves, or in combination, are able to help fight diseases.