Probiotics is a general term for living microorganisms — often called “friendly” bacteria — that have health benefits in the body. These can be bacteria or yeast that are similar to organisms that are naturally found in the body, especially in the digestive tract. Probiotics have become popular supplements and food additives, most often used to promote healthy digestion.probioticseverything.com
Fiber and probiotics
Fiber and probiotics
Why do people take probiotics?
Probiotics work by balancing the levels of microorganisms in the intestines. They drive down the numbers of harmful bacteria. They also seem to boost the body’s immune system.probioticseverything.com
Fiber and probiotics
Fiber and probiotics
Although research is ongoing, there’s good evidence that some probiotics may be helpful in treating irritable bowel syndrome, some types of diarrhea, colitis (particularly ulcerative colitis and and a complication of surgery for ulcerative colitis called pouchitis), acne, and eczema in children. They may also be used with antibiotics to help prevent diarrhea that may come with taking antibiotics.probioticseverything.com
Fiber and probiotics
Fiber and probiotics
There are many types of probiotics. They include lactobacilli (like Lactobacillus acidophilusand Lactobacillus GG), bifidobacteria (like Bifidobacterium bifidus) and some yeasts (like Saccharomyces boulardii). Different probiotics have different effects. So while one may help treat diarrhea or a vaginal infection, another may have no effect. Before you start taking a probiotic supplement, talk to your health care provider to make sure that you get the treatment most likely to help.probioticseverything.com
Fiber and probiotics
Fiber and probiotics
Probiotics take up space in our GI tracts. They feed off of existing bacteria (prebiotics and those we consume in food). Maintaining the right amount of probiotics in our GI tract can prevent bad bacteria from multiplying in our GI tract. Not only does the presence of probiotics physically prevent bad bacteria from growing in the GI tract (they literally don’t have enough room), it’s also believed that bad bacteria also don’t have enough food to feed off of because of the presence of probiotics. So basically, the probiotics take all the food from the bad bacteria.Some probiotics also secrete certain substances that have antibacterial properties and may be able to kill off unwanted bacteria. Source. There’s also some data to support that probiotics benefit our immune system but in different ways depending on the individual. This study found that in healthy people probiotics enhanced their immune system, but in people with over active immune systems (think: food allergies), probiotics helped decrease the activity of the immune system. probioticseverything.com
Fiber and probiotics
Fiber and probiotics
