What are Probiotics?
Probiotics are good live bacteria and yeast that are beneficial to the body. The microorganisms are available in some foods and dietary supplements. Probiotics work in the same manner as the probiotics that live naturally in the gut. The three main sources of probiotics in the body are; naturally existing probiotics in the intestines, supplements and foods. The naturally existing probiotics in the intestines include Saccharomyces boulardii and Bifobacterium and Lactobacillus family of microorganisms. Another bacterium called Lactoacidophilus is found in certain types of yoghurt.
The dietary supplements with probiotics are available in tablet, liquid extract, powder and tablet forms. Most of these supplements are sold
…show more content…
However, it is important to acknowledge that body may not necessarily require probiotics foods and supplements to be healthy or to operate optimally, foods and supplements with good probiotics can go a long way to complement the good work done by the bacteria in the gut. Below are some of the benefits of probiotics:
• Helps restore bacteria balance in favor of good probiotics to help the body function
…show more content…
Eating rich probiotics foods and maintaining a healthy intestinal flora, can help a person maintain more efficient immune system. One study indicated that subjects who were given fermented dairy drink instead of regular milk had a higher level of lymphocytes in the systems.
Women’s health
Improper balance good and bad bacteria inside the vagina can cause serious uncomfortable infections such as yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Some studies have shown that probiotics such as L. acidophilus when taken as vaginal suppositories can support antibiotics in preventing and treating vaginal infections.
Safety of Probiotics
Studies have shown that probiotics may trigger an allergic reaction, which may manifest through diarrhea, mild stomach upset, bloating and flatulence in the first few days of application. Some probiotics have been shown to adversely affect the metabolic pathways such as carbohydrates metabolism or overstimulation the immune system. For this reasons, if you have any serious illness or certain bowel problems, avoid using
Bacteria vaginosis is treated with antibiotic medications (CDC). Metronidazole is commonly used. Metronidazole treatment does not adversely affect lactobacilli so they are able to recolonize the vagina and reduce the risk of late-stage relapse (Catlin, 1992). The cephalosporins available in the late 1970s were not very active against G. vaginalis.
Although harmless to most adults, pregnant women may experience health problems associated with these bacteria, which can cause:
The most common sides effects associated with Metformin are gastrointestinal complaints; some of which are severe enough to cause patients to discontinue the medication. These include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and indigestion (Wilbur, 2013). Patients should see a decline in these side effects with continued use. Taking Metformin with food helps with these GI side effect...
While you can buy dietary supplements any time over-the-counter, please note that some supplements may have unfavorable drug interaction with other prescription drugs. Always refer to your physician before taking any dietary supplements.
FACTORS IN BREAST MILK ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM OF THE INFANT. Retrieved from: Acta Medica Transilvanica, 19(4),
“Commercially prepared infant formulas are a nourishing alternative to breast milk, and even contains vitamins and nutrients that breastfed infants need to get from supplements (Pearl, E., 2015). Breastfeeding is proven to strengthen the immune system for children of all ages. While a mother nurses the infant, the mother passes down nutrients and antibodies from the milk the babies drink while nursing. Like immunizations building invulnerabilities for people destructive illnesses, breast milk gives additional antibodies to infants to help them. Nursing sessions are less demanding to retain and process the formula since it contains living development elements, hormones, and chemicals which help an infant to effectively process all healthy intake from each feeding (The Office on Women’s Health, 2012). Further, in creating nations, scientists found that for newborn children who were not breastfed have danger of dying from irresistible infections, in the primary month is six times more prominent than babies who were breastfed (Chen and Rogan, 2004). Children that are breastfed have less problems with digestive systems due to the breast milk, a standout amongst the most essential advantages of breast milk is the containing living parts, for example, contamination battling antibodies, white platelets, red platelets, and hostile to viral components (Taylor, 2013). All which are essential to the growth of a newborn's digestive system that formula does not
applied probiotic capsules for bacterial vaginosis and other vaginal infections: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 168(2013), 75-79. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2012.12.031p
Whole food sources such as fish, vegetables, fruits, and other healthy foods are the best sources when trying to consume a variety of nutrients. For example, phytochemicals, which are derived from plant compounds, contain multiple phytochemicals when consumed from a whole food, whereas supplements usually only contain one type. Another important substance not available in supplements is fiber. Katie Baker, a naturopathic doctor, states, “In the end, we all benefit more from improving our diets naturally than from adding pills and powders to a standard American diet of too many processed simple carbohydrates and fats and not enough lean proteins and complex carbohydrates (like whole
Whether you have a chronic illness or are interested in eating well to prevent disease, the anti-inflammatory diet is gaining traction as a viable way to plan your meals in order to avoid inflammation that can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, painful joints, and other ailments. Read on to learn about the components of an anti-inflammatory diet and what foods you should avoid.
A well-balanced diet contains all the necessary vitamins, and most individuals who follow such a diet can correct any previous vitamin deficiencies. However, persons who are on special diets, who are suffering from intestinal disorders that prevent normal absorption of nutrients, or who are pregnant or lactating may need particular vitamin supplements to bolster their metabolism. Beyond such real needs, vitamin supplements are also often popularly believed to offer "cures" for many diseases, from colds to cancer; but in fact the body quickly eliminates most of these preparations without absorbing them. In addition, the fat-soluble vitamins can block the effect of other vitamins and even cause severe poisoning when taken in excess.
Vitamin E can be found in foods and dietary supplements. Natural vitamin E from food sources is called d-alpha-tocopherol. The dietary supplement for is dl-alpha-tocopherol. Vitamin E can be found in wheat germ, some nuts, seeds and oils and leafy green vegetables. Vitamin E appears in many fortified cereals as well. Wheat germ provides the highest concentration of vitamin E with sunflower seeds taking second place. One tablespoon of wheat germ oil provides one hundred percent of an adult’s RDI for vitamin E. One ounce of sunflower seeds fulfills thirty-seven of an adult’s RDI for vitamin E. Other food sources of vitamin E include sunflower, safflower, soybean and co...
Bacteria are found nearly everywhere within the body and most types are harmless or even helpful to bodily function (Novitt-Moreno). While it is important to have these bacteria in the body, pathogenic invaders can cause serious illnesses. Pathogenic bacteria work by either actually attacking a part of the victim’s body or releasing toxic waste products into the body. Bacteria are single-celled and contain all of the cellular mechanisms needed to live, grow, and reproduce (Novitt-Moreno). That means, when treating a bacterial infection, it is critical to have a highly specific antibiotic that can destroy the unwanted
Did you know that 80% of your immune system is in your gut? Eating, or in this case drinking, probiotics can help balance the delicate system in your gut and help your overall health.
Some micro-organisms, such as Listeria monocytogenes and Clostridium botulinum, cause far more serious illness than vomiting or diarrhea. They can cause spontaneous abortion or death.
Microbes are major key components in both are homes and industrial food preparation. There are number of lactic acid which is a form of bacteria which is a large group of beneficial bacteria used in certain foods while they are getting prepared such as yogurt, cheese, sour cream, butter milk and other type of fermented milk products. Things such as vinegars are produced by bacterial acetic acid fermentation. Yeast is also major use in the making of beer and wine and also for the leaving of breads. This also involves fermentations to convert corn and other vegetable carbohydrates to also make beer, wine or gasohol but also bacteria is the agents of are other foods. Other fermented foods will include things such as soy sauce, olives and cocoa. (Microbes and human life, 2013) Single cell proteins are known as dried cells of microbes which are used in protein supplement shacks. They are also called “novel food” and “minifood”. The production of this requires micro-organisms which then serve as the protein source and then the substrate which is biomass which they grow on them. There are a number of both these sources that we are able to use for the production of single cell protein (SCP). The micro-organisms used belong to the following groups of Algae, Fungi and bacteria. (Slide Share, 2012)