A Brief Look At Probiotics Benefits
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In the past few years, the concept of probiotics has become a health “fad,” appearing in everything from yogurts to dietary supplements.
Despite this ever-growing ubiquity, many people are unaware of what precisely probiotics are, and why they are beneficial.
What many people do not know is that bacteria are an important component of the human body and its functions. Bacteria are often associated with infection and illness amongst the general population, but it is actually good in some contexts – hence the term “good bacteria” that is occasionally used when discussing probiotics.
Many micro-organisms live in the intestines in particular. In microbiology, these are often referred to as the intestinal flora or microbiota. Many years ago, it was thought that the interaction of intestinal flora and the human host were benign, but it is now thought to be symbiotic – they have a mutually beneficial existence. These are bacteria that perform necessary functions for humans, such as improving digestion, improving the immune system, preventing proliferation of harmful bacteria, and even providing vitamins.
Probiotics are examples of these types of bacteria, which enter the gastrointestinal tract via live culture. Often, these cultures are naturally occurred or added to yogurt, soy yogurt, and dietary supplements. In addition to the functions mentioned above, probiotics are thought to aid in lactose tolerance, contribute to colon cancer risk reduction, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and contribute to improved urogenital health.
In the vast majority of individuals, probiotics can be very beneficial, and simply enhance the body’s natural bacterial population and its functions. They are an excellent way to naturally improve gastrointestinal and urogenital health.
Probiotics have become widely popular in the past few years for one very clear reason: they are an easy, relatively inexpensive, natural way to improve health and possibly even resolve minor health issues such as frequent urinary tract infections or bowel disturbances.
Author
This article was written for Insights-on-Health.com by Nicole D T, a freelance writer who researches and writes on various topics.
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