Stop the Runs with Probiotics

Author: Ann Stewart

Article:
Diarrhea can show up at the most unsuspected times and places,
often without warning or obvious cause. Yes, there are over the
counter "flow stoppers" available which may work for a while for
some but do nothing to heal the condition.

Some basic causes of this embarrassing
stuck-within-ten-feet-of-the-toilet condition are: stress,
illness, food and water that is contaminated by harmful microbes.

The majority of diseases and infections enter the body through
the bowel. Studies indicate that bacterial imbalances are
associated with irritable bowel syndrome, post-surgical
infections and type 1 diabetes.

It took the medical profession a long time to discover that
antibiotics destroyed the beneficial bacteria as well as the
harmful ones, thus making the body more prone to secondary
infections.

The bacteria in your gut have many functions in the body and are
essential to your health. These microorganisms are collectively
called your gut flora, micro flora, or beneficial bacteria and
are estimated to make up about 3 pounds of your body weight.
They fight off harmful microbes (pathogenic bacteria, viruses,
fungi and parasites), which cause disease.

Scientific studies have demonstrated that a lack of healthy
bacteria can be one of the causes that lead to medical problems
such as: food allergies, bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy,
irritable bowel syndrome, urinary tract infections, yeast
infections, intestinal infections, allergies, asthma, genital
infections, elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels,
recurrent ear and bladder infections, and antibiotic associated
diarrhea.

So then, what can you do to ensure that your bowel is armed with
more good bacteria than bad ones? The best way is to take a dose
of friendly microbes, known as probiotics.

"By definition, a probiotic is any substance containing live
organisms that, when ingested, have a beneficial effect on the
host by altering the body's intestinal micro flora," says
physician Robynne Chutkan, Associate Professor of Medicine at
Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

Many probiotics are lactic acid, or milk based, bacteria, such
as lactobacillus or bifidobacterium, but not all probiotics have
the same characteristics and, presumably, not the same efficacy.
Are you lactose intolerant? Well, they reportedly even improve
lactose intolerance! Besides, probiotics are not released in the
stomach but travel through the digestive tract and attach
themselves to the large bowel (gut). After four days of regular
daily intake there are enough probiotics in your gut to start
producing health benefits. Many species of bacteria work
together in the human gut to maintain its normal function.

Known benefits include relief from irritable bowel syndrome,
yeast infections and diarrhea. Furthermore they may improve
bowel function, reduce antibiotic-associated infections, prevent
colon cancer, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improve
immune function, reduce inflammation, improve mineral
absorption, prevent growth of harmful bacteria, fight off
diseases like candida and eczema, and much more.

The scientific concept behind probiotics is now accepted, but
clinical trial work has only recently started to test the
ability of probiotic preparations to prevent or treat specific
diseases, like gut inflammation, gut infection or cancer.

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that stimulate
the growth and function of certain good bacteria in the gut.
Similarly, eating foods or supplements containing probiotics
improves the ratio of good bacteria to bad in the gut. Some
foods that are good for your gut health beside yogourt, are
asparagus and leeks. Both prebiotics and probiotics may help
change poor eating habits, heal ulcers, chronic stomach
inflammations and infections of all kinds, including uro-genital
tract, respiratory and childhood bugs acquires in daycare.
Beside all those, they are said to reduce blood lipids (fats),
treat both irritable bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS), and traveler's diarrhea. They are also known to
fight off skin infections, tooth decay and periodontal disease!

In conclusion, having a balanced intestinal flora greatly
affects the way you feel, and how healthy and energetic you are.
As well as keeping your intestinal flora in perfect balance,
probiotics also help to keep your intestines clean! The most
common probiotic is Acidophilus, or yogurt. They can be obtained
over the counter in your health store or pharmacy in pill form.

Remember: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

All material provided is for informational and educational
purposes only, and is not to be construed as medical advice or
instruction.

It is of utmost importance that you do your own due diligence.
Consult with your physician or a qualified health professional
on any matters regarding your health and well-being.

About the author:
Ann Stewart, author, inspirational writer and wellness coach,
shares tips on how to fight off disease and feel your best in
her weekly newsletter, href="http://youthmakeover.com">Youth Makeover