Probiotics for stomach problems
Nov 28, 2008
Bacteria aren’t usually thought of as helpful or beneficial to your health. Medical professionals and marketers in the health and food industry have started to change this way of thinking due to findings that some bacteria can improve your health and bodily function. This positive bacteria is called probiotics – it literally means “for life.”
The body’s intestinal tract contains ten times the number of bacteria than cells in your body. Most of these bacteria are not harmful to you, but some of them are. This is where probiotics come in. One of the most popular uses of probiotics is to prevent and treat gastrointestinal problems. Diarrhea, bloating and constipation can all arise from an overgrowth of bad bacteria in your digestive tract. This can happen after the use of anti biotics, which strip your digestive tract of both good and bad bacteria. Some women use a probiotic to prevent urinary and vaginal infections and some people swear by taking a probiotic supplement to prevent traveler’s diarrhea.
Some studies have shown that probiotics help to boost immune function as well as attack cancerous cells and reduce cancer-promoting enzymes. How do you get probiotics into your diet? Look for certain foods from the dairy group that is labeled with “Live Active Cultures.” Some experts feel that consuming these cultures from a food source is more beneficial to your stomach. Supplements on the other hand, contain higher concentrations of bacterial counts, which will give you faster relief of symptoms.
Use a probiotic for at least two weeks and make sure your doctor knows you’ve been taking them. If you tend to have re-occurring stomach problems, think about taking probiotic on a regular preventative basis.
