Probiotics – a closer look at gut health

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What is a Probiotic?
The word probiotic is a compound of two Greek words: “pro” to signify promotion of, and “biotic” – life. Probiotics are bacteria that line digestive tract and they are also known as friendly bacteria.

The difference between pathogenic bacteria or candida, and probiotics, is that the probiotic organisms have a symbiotic relationship with our bodies and both together they form a mutual defence treaty

  • The first and most overlooked reason that our digestive tract is critical to our health is because 80 percent of our entire immune system is located in the digestive tract!
  • In addition to the impact on our immune system, our digestive system is the second largest part of our neurological system.
  • It is called our enteric nervous system and is located in our gut. This is why it is called our second brain! 
  • Many people with health issues such as thyroid imbalances, chronic fatigue, joint pain, psoriasis, autism, and many other conditions do not realize that these illnesses originate in the gut.

The strongest evidence to date finds that probiotic benefits include: boosting immune system, prevent and treat urinary tract infections, improve digestive function, heal inflammatory bowel conditions like IBS, manage and prevent eczema in children, fight foodborne illnesses, treat colitis and Crohn’s disease, combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, treat liver disease, battle cancer, manage autism, lower cholesterol and the list is endless!

What affects our gut flora?
➢ Prescription Antibiotics

➢ Sugar

➢ Chlorine (Tap Water!)

➢ GMO Foods (Genetically Modified)

➢ Grains

➢ Emotional Stress

➢ Chemicals and medications

In order to improve gut flora balance, make sure to avoid the probiotic killers. We are exposed to many of these foods, toxins and stressors on a daily basis, and if going to restore digestive health, they must be addressed. If they’re not addressed, gut micro-organisms become imbalanced and system can become a breeding ground for bad bacteria, yeast, viruses, fungi and parasites.

How Probiotics Work?

Gut contains both beneficial and harmful bacteria. Nutrition experts agree that the balance of gut flora should be approximately 85 percent good bacteria and 15 percent bad bacteria. When this ratio gets out of balance, the condition is known as dysbiosis, which means there is an imbalance of too much of a certain type of fungus, yeast or bacteria that is affecting the body in a negative way.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bad bacteria can damage the intestines causing irritation and reduced nutritional absorption

 

Consuming certain types of probiotic foods and supplements can help bring these rations back into balance.

 

By Agne Kazlauskiene