Tuesday, May 5, 2009

The Benefits of Probiotics

Although they may not realize it, many people consume probiotics on a regular basis. Probiotics are types of live bacteria that are actually beneficial to your health. Although it sounds like an oxymoron to consider any bacteria beneficial, there are, in fact, many healthy benefits to probiotics.

There are many ways that probiotics are used for their health benefits, including drinks, supplements and yogurt. That is right, the yogurt that thousands of people consume everyday are loaded with probiotics. In fact, the probiotics are what bring some of the biggest benefits that yogurt have to offer. The beneficial bacteria are known to help with intestinal regularity and helps prohibit diarrhea immensely. Probiotics also help people who suffer from Crohn’s Disease as well as people diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. The beneficial and healthy bacteria help to maintain regularity or an evenness of bacteria in the digestive system and bowels, even helping keep ulcerative colitis in control. This is why so many yogurt manufacturers advertise that their products will help people with digestive problems. The probiotics in yogurt are the reason for this.

Also, for women, the probiotics in yogurt have long been an “old wives’ tale” or folk remedy for yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Although this has not been studied intensely or proven by medical schools of thought, many women still make use of yogurt as opposed to traditional, medicinal remedies.
 
Probiotics are also sold as supplements, to help aid in the fight against infectious diarrhea or other gastrointestinal issues like irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. And, it is also believed that when probiotics are included in an infant’s formula, it helps with gas, painful bowel movements and even diaper rash. Also the beneficial bacteria, when taken regularly, seem to help people who suffer from lactose intolerance, easing the ill side effects from drinking milk or consuming other dairy ingredients in products.
 
Some scientists even speculate that probiotics in the system even reduce the carcinogens in the body. These carcinogens can lead to certain types of cancers of the digestive systems.
 
The health benefits of probiotics are quite obvious and quite needed for anyone who suffers from intestinal issues. As of yet, there have been no ill effects to taking probiotics, only healthful benefits.

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