Healthy Self Probiotics Commonly Encountered Strains and Their Uses P
robiotics are microorganisms, yeast or bacteria, that when taken internally, via food or supplement, can improve a variety of health conditions. The human body is continually populated
with what is called normal flora. Normal flora lines every exter- nal surface of the body including the skin, nasal passages, mouth and gastrointestinal tract. When you think about it, from our top to bottom, we are one continuous tube that communicates with our external environment. It is not until the contents we ingest are ab- sorbed into the body that they become part of us. The genital organs, urethra, eyes and even ears are all populated with normal flora that must remain in balance to be healthy.
An example of an inappropriate balance of normal flora is in a
vaginal or oral yeast infection also known as thrush. Vaginal and oral yeast infections are most commonly due to the fungus Candida albi- cans. Candida becomes problematic when there is an imbalance of Candida organisms when compared to other normal flora colonizers of the mouth and vagina. Antibiotic therapy and other medications, malnutrition, diabetes, and immune system infections such as AIDS can all lead to an inappropriate balance of normal flora. Probiotics have been all the rage in recent years with emerging
research showing the benefits of supplementation with good flora in a variety of conditions. Conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract have been one motivator for supplementing with probiotics. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition classified as irregularity and inconsistency in bowel movements, is a common condition that benefits from probiotic supplementation. While it may seem like a
stretch, supplementing with probiotics actually has been linked with boosting the immune system. Your GI tract is truly the first line of defense against pathogens when germs enter into your body. Having a GI tract that is primed and ready with a healthy amount of friendly microorganisms to fight off offending pathogens reduces the likeli- hood of illness.
Probiotics in Food
A good way to ingest probiotics is through food. Yogurt is one of the most common sources of probiotics. Almost every yogurt con- tains a starter culture of Lactobacillus. Additional probiotic strains can be added to these products for further benefit. Eating yogurt consistently helps promote digestive regularity. Miso soup is another good food source of probiotics. Miso is a fermented soy source of probiotics, made by adding Aspergillus oryzaei to a soybean base and letting it ferment. Drinking miso soup while suffering from a cold might reduce the length of illness.
Which Organisms Provide What Benefit? Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus belongs to a group of lactic-acid producing bac- teria. This type of bacteria is normally found in our digestive tracts,
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