A List of Probiotics Benefits

A List of Probiotics Benefits
by Kirthy Shetty

different bacteria have different effects on the body, their benefits should not be
taken as an indicator that a certain microorganism has all the advantage that other
microorganisms provide.

Their benefits, however, work on the same principle: they block harmful bacteria and
stop them from multiplying. They also serve as our body's secondary protection
against invading bacteria.

It also includes decreasing lactose intolerance, prevention of certain cancers, lowering
cholesterol and blood pressure, preventing infections, improving the immune system,
diarrhea relief, improving absorption, relief from colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

Beware that even with all these benefits, there are situations wherein taking them
may be bad for a person. These include people with lowered immune systems or are
very ill have also developed lactobacillus septicaemia, which can kill. In some cases,
probiotics increased the death rate in patients with acute pancreatitis. Researchers at
the University of Western Australia also found that children given these were more
likely to be allergic to certain stimuli.

Cancer prevention is one of the most significant of all benefits. A strain of
lactobacillus bulgaricus have been shown to prevent mutation of colon cancer cells in
rats. Human testing and evidence, however, is scant at best and conflicting at its
worst.

Their benefits also extend to your heart health by actively lowering both cholesterol
and blood pressure. They are thought to be able to break down bile in the gut,
making it less prone to reabsorption as cholesterol in the blood. Some strains of
Lactobacillus bulgaricus have also shown promise in reducing overall and LDL
cholesterol levels. Drinking milk fermented with these bacteria can also result in a
slight decrease in blood pressure and could be due to peptides, which acts as an
Angiotensin-Converting Enzymes inhibitor that is beneficial in treating hypertension
and congestive heart failure.

Such friendly bacteria are also thought to prevent pathogens from growing by
competing with them for growth and subsistence, as well as increasing some types
of plasma cells that improve immunity. Some say that these could prevent
respiratory tract infections, treat acute diarrhea and decreases rotavirus infections in
children.

Some are also said to be effective in reducing hypersensitivity and inflammation,
while other strains allegedly corrects malabsoprtion of trace minerals found in whole
grains and nuts.

While the claims about their benefits are growing in number, it is important to note
that there is little scientific evidence to support these claims. For those areas in
probiotics benefits that have been studied, there are a lot of conflicting results.

About The Author

Kirthy Shetty

Get all your tips related to IBS Symptoms and Causes from:

Probiotics are live microorganisms,
typically single-celled bacteria that are
said to be beneficial for the host
system. They naturally exist in the
human body, while some people
augment these naturally existing
probiotics with supplements. This is
because the list of such food benefits
has grown over the years.

Their benefits have been known for
decades, but it was only recently that
scientific evidence came up. Mostly
affecting the digestive tract, there are
more than a thousand species of
these in the human body. Because

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.