Nutritional Facts About Probiotics

Do you know why you should be using probiotics? Probiotics has been around for a long time and there are still some people that are not updated with probiotic benefits to health.

One dictionary defines Probiotics as a substance that promotes the growth of good bacteria in the gut. They contain microorganisms or bacteria that bring benefits to the host organism. The concept of using bacteria for good health is as old as time. Its popularity began 5000 years earlier.

Centuries earlier, people fermented milk products and they contained probiotics. In Persia, people believed that Abraham of the Old Testament owed his longevity to fermented milk. Even French King Francis I was cured after consuming yogurt in 1500s.

The theory behind probiotics is that the human body is host to many microorganisms and bacteria called gut flora, which are necessary for health. Probiotics plays an important role in nutrition especially since the microbial populations have been modified by the use of antibiotics and other substances, which are designed to eliminate germs and diseases.

In 2002, probiotics were defined as ‘live microorganisms that when consumed in sufficient amounts would convey health benefit to the host’. Simply put, when eaten in adequate amount, they can benefit your intestines.

Considered as beneficial bacteria, a probiotic can boost your immune system by regulating lymphocytes and antibodies, protect your heart and prevent constipation, especially in the elderly. This can be done by regulating the intestinal transit time, with the consumption of the live microorganism.

There are studies conducted across the world showing probiotics improves the availability of nutrients such as B vitamins, iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, copper and phosphorous. In addition, pediatric research studies discovered that some strains like the Lactobacillus GG in Culturelle capsules can help in reducing the rate of acute diarrhea and shedding of rotavirus. Babies who drink formula containing the live microorganisms are reported to have 25% reduction in diaper rash.

If you have been suffering from lactose intolerance, drinking probiotics supplements or consuming probiotics products like yogurt may help improve your condition. Yogurt contains bacterial strain which produce lactase enzymes. Thus, children who have intestinal infection and adults who have lactose intolerance can tolerate yogurt because of the active culture present.

The Probiotics Acidophilus are known to support the growth of healthy bacteria in the intestine and colon to decrease the conversion of bile into cancer-causing substances. Although the microorganisms are present all throughout the human body, they particularly thrive in the intestine. If the presence of bad bacteria is threatened or balanced by the presence of good bacteria, you can be assured of having a healthy digestive system.

However, if the bad bacteria are invading your intestines, health problems are likely to occur. That is why many people are including probiotics-such as the lactobacilli-in their diet. The live microorganisms can restore the balance of bacteria in your intestinal tract.

Yogurt and sauerkraut are just among the many foods containing the good bacteria. On the other hand, you can also benefit from prebiotic. The prebiotic which is a substance that cannot be digested can make their way into your digestive system and thus promote the growth of good bacteria.

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5 Reasons Why Greek Yogurt Is Good For Your Health

Many people think that yogurt is just the foreign name for curd. But that is not the case. Yogurt and its benefits are very different than that of curd. It actually is extremely beneficial for human body. Although curd and yogurt are both made from milk, both products are different. Let’s take a look at how exactly they are different.

Yogurt vs. Curd

Both the dairy products are made from milk, but the process differs. To make curd you have to boil the milk and cool it down to 30 degree celsius. Then you can add either lemon juice or vinegar to the milk. These acidic substances include a microorganism named as ‘lactobacillus’. The lactic acid curdles the milk and splits it into two parts, the solids and liquid. The solid which is extracted is the curd. The liquid part is called whey, which contains whey proteins and the curd contains milk proteins. Once separated the curd can be flavoured with sugars, salts, etc.

Yogurt is made by adding a different set of bacteria known as ‘Yogurt Cultures’. Yogurt cultures include two different strains of bacteria namely ‘lactobacillus bulgaris’ and ‘streptococcus thermophilous’. The addition of bacteria ensures quality of product because they make it homogenized. This dairy product also can be enhanced by the addition of different flavours.

Benefits of Yogurt

• Good for digestion:

The addition of yogurt cultures makes it probiotic. The good bacteria helps in the digestion of food. Actually your intestine already contains microorganisms. Some are good and some are bad. When the number of bad ones increase, your health deteriorates. Probiotic drinks contains good bacteria. Thus, the good and bad bacteria remain balanced. Hence the da helps to avoid or cure diseases like constipation, diarrhoea, etc.

• Boosts immunity system:

Consuming probiotics also helps to boost the immune system. These beverages also have proven to reduce inflammation. Inflammation is related to many diseases. As yogurt provides vitamin D to the body and the nutrient is said to provide antibacterial proteins to the body, we can say that it helps to enhance the immunity system.

As the digestive system improves, it keeps away bowel related diseases. And thus, it is said that probiotics keep our stomach immune from various diseases. A daily serving of the product also helps you to keep the cold away.

• Helps to lose weight:

Yogurt contains proteins. Proteins with calcium helps to lower the appetite and thus keeps the weight in check. This improves your diet and makes you avoid the untimely snacks which we munch on mindlessly.

• Maintains blood pressure:

Yogurt contains  potassium, which has proven to reduce sodium reabsorption. Thus the probiotics maintains heart health while lowering the high blood pressure.

• Reduces bad cholesterol:

The product keeps you full longer and also keeps you well hydrated. This helps you to avoid yourself from consuming more calories by eating oily food. Hence, it is said to increase good cholesterol which promotes heart health. It also reduces the occurrences of heart diseases.

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The Good Bacteria: What Are Probiotics?

What is probiotics? We often hear or see this word in health commercials and products; it is deemed beneficial to human health. Probiotics derived its name from two Latin words: Pro meaning for and biotic meaning life (for life). From this etymology, we are at least given an idea on what are probiotics and how they work. Probiotics are composed of live bacteria believed to be beneficial to humans or other host organisms. Products which are called probiotics contain the right amount of these microorganisms, which in one way or another wield a certain benefit to the human health. Microorganisms that have health benefits include bifido bacteria and lactic acid bacteria. These two are commonly incorporated in yogurt products and other health supplements.

How Does Probiotics Work?

In the human world "bacteria" is one term that doesn't have a very good reputation. Bacterium is the main culprit for many infectious diseases that causes illness and even death among humans. Because of this, humans wage every possible measure in order to eradicate these microorganisms. We use antiseptics, alcohols, sanitizers; we purify our water sources and cook our food so we will not be infected by bacteria. Though bacteria have that very potent ability to cause illness and death, it also has the potential to be beneficial to human health. How? This depends upon the number and the type of bacteria. What most people do not understand is not all types of bacteria are harmful; furthermore their potential to cause illness is also dependent upon their number. Probiotics contain the types of bacteria that are not harmful, and they are present in controlled amounts. Lactobacilli, a very common microbe used in probiotics, have been found beneficial to improving digestion among humans. These microbes convert lactose into lactic acid. The presence of lactic acid inhibits the growth of other harmful bacteria. Lactobacillus is actually found in the gut and vagina. These areas in the body need an acidic environment in order to function well.

Potential Health Benefits of Probiotics

1. Gastro intestinal health

Lactobacillus is a microbe naturally found in the gut. It produces lactic acid in order to maintain an acidic environment and to prevent harmful bacteria from proliferating; this then improves a person's digestion and resistance to gastrointestinal infections. Probiotics with lactobacillus and bifidobacteria have also been found to manage diarrhea. Diarrhea is caused by harmful microorganisms that invade the gut. With the presence of these probiotics, the harmful agents cannot proliferate and cause damage.

2. Lactose intolerance

The use of probiotics can also help people with lactose intolerance. This condition happens because the person lacks the necessary enzyme to convert lactose into lactic acid. Probiotics such as lactobacillus aids in this problem because they are the ones that do the conversion. This helps people become more tolerant to lactose than they previously were.

3. Prevention of colon cancer

Certain studies reveal that the use of probiotics may help prevent the formation of colon cancer. Certain strains of lactobacilli have been found to exert an anti-mutagenic effect. Anti-mutagens prevent a cell from mutating and turning into a cancer cell. Preventing the cell from mutating prevents the formation of cancer. We may think bacteria only cause illness and harm, but we have to remember that we cannot also survive without them. The question: what is probiotics reminds us of this fact.

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