Probiotics...Can They Help Me?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide a health benefit to the host. Essentially they are "friendly" bacteria that can provide the body with numerous health benefits.

Probiotics are thought to attach to the intestinal mucosa, colonize the intestinal tract and thereby prevent attachment of harmful micro-organisms thereon. A prerequisite for their action resides in that they have to reach the gut's mucosa in a proper and viable form and especially do not get destroyed by the influence of the low pH prevailing in the stomach.

Health Benefits Of Probiotics

Some probiotic strains, but not all studied, have been shown to influence blood cholesterol level and recently the possibility to lower blood pressure. Controlled human studies have documented the overall positive effects of probiotics. There has also been a growing interest within the scientific community with regard to probiotics for years.

Probiotics are often used to restore the balance of healthy bacteria, especially after a round of antibiotics which kills all bacteria in the body, whether it is healthy or not. Probiotics have also been shown useful in treating a wide variety of infant conditions including, infant diarrhea, upset stomach, eczema, and many health conditions of pre-term infants- though the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine says further studies are needed to be sure probiotics are safe for young children.

Healthy people usually have a ratio of approximately 85% good and 15% potentially harmful organisms in the intestinal tract. In some cases, even those who appear to be well might have an unfavorable ratio as a result of daily exposure to environmental toxins and a modern lifestyle. Healthy intestinal flora is also associated with intestinal (stool) regularity.

Finally, it is especially advisable to replenish the gut with probiotics after a cleanse, enema, or colonic.

A very wise man once said, "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." Proverbs 9:9.

Keith M Henry is the Director of phase 3ministries, based in Orlando FL. He is medical missionary herbalist, and Naturopathic doctor candidate. Check other amazing articles at his blog phase 3 ministries