There are literally billions of friendly or good bacteria in our bodies. Called probiotics, these guys play an important role in helping to keep us fit and in good health. The term 'probiotic' is often used to describe food supplements that contain live bacteria.
These bacteria can help the health of your gut, specifically the delicate balance of the intestinal microflora. Scientists are trying to develop target-specific probiotics containing bacteria selected for their health-enhancing characteristics.
Normally, we think of bacteria as bad news for our health. While a lot of bacteria do cause illness and disease, some are actually very good for our body. Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, for example, keep the digestive system fully functional and working as it should. Several diseases, high levels of stress, the aging process and a lot of medicines like antibiotics can simply destroy our body's natural levels of good bacteria. If they cannot be replenished quickly then bad bacteria can get a foothold and other health problems may develop.
Our immune system is our body's natural defense warding off bad bacteria, diseases and infections. Probiotics form a strong line of defense against the bad and unhealthy bacteria that get into our bodies. In doing this, they help support our digestive and immune systems, enabling us to cope with everyday life. If your digestion is working well you will feel better and your body will be able to utilize the nutrients in the food more effectively.
If you take a probiotic, you can repopulate the gut with healthy bacteria. One of the commonest type of bacteria used is known as lactobacilli. You can buy 'live' yoghurts, for example, containing lactobacilli in almost any supermarket and health-food shop. The probiotics that are promoted and sold as nutritional and health, like live yoghurts, are mainly the lactobacillus variety and the bifidobacterium species.
Probiotic supplements are now available. Multibionta Probiotic Multivitamin is the first complete multivitamin with minerals and probiotics, the same natural, friendly bacteria you find in probiotic yoghurt drinks.
Certain foods assist the actions of probiotics. These are called 'prebiotics'. Prebiotic foods include artichokes, bananas and cherries.
How To Get More Probiotics In Your Diet
Start buying yoghurts or yoghurt drinks with probiotics - these are often termed 'live' yoghurts.
To ensure you're getting your probiotics, look for the actual name of the probiotic as opposed to just the term 'live' - took for the word bifidobacterium or lactobacillus.
If you currently take a multivitamin, switch to a brand with a probiotic in it.
Try to eat a source of prebiotic foods at least once every other day.
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