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Residing mainly in the intestines, probiotic bacteria are responsible for breaking down essential nutrients which, in their absence, would be lost. They are also responsible for regulating overgrowths of other internal microbes, most notably the Candida yeast.
The most encouraging results from probiotics have addressed elimination issues, such as diarrhea, constipation, and chronic indigestion. Some claims have been made about their efficacy in treating Crohn's disease and even certain forms of cancer.
For this reason, health food store refrigerators are filling up with probiotic blends which deliver live cultures of these strains directly to the gut. However, the jury is still out on whether beneficial bacteria can actually be replenished by consuming them in supplemental form, despite manufacturers' claims. Many avid users find that the benefits of probiotics are short-lived, and sometimes disappear shortly after usage ceases.
Recommended Food Sources of Probiotics
The most commonly known probiotic is acidophilus ("the acid-lover"), which is found in common yogurt. However, there are over a dozen strains, from plenty of sources, which have been shown to have a positive impact on everything from immune response to digestion and bowel troubles. More common food sources of probiotics include other cultured dairy products such as kefir, buttermilk, and some natural cheeses. A handful of green foods, such as spirulina and wheat grass, also contian probiotics. There are also a few other fermented foods rich in probiotics: miso, tempeh, soy drinks, and some fruit juices. A line of soy and coconut based yogurts have also emerged, fortified with probiotics strains to satisfy the need for intestinal flora without dairy.
Are Probiotics a Panacea?
While probiotics may be a panacea for some, natural health advisors caution that a better approach is to look for the underlying cause of the imbalance in the first place. Many lifestyle choices can affect the delicate interplay of intestinal microbes, including alcohol, caffeine, and sugar consumption.
A lack of fiber is a common culprit in disorders of the gut, so befor resorting to probiotics, you might want to try whole food sources of natural dietary fiber included at each meal and snack. Fiber is not itself a nutritive supplement, as some people believe; it is a facilitator of digestion, and as such must be a part of each bite of food.
Another cause for a deficit in beneficial intestinal flora may be antibiotic drugs. Antibiotics ("against life") can play lifesaving role when trying to fight off infection, but few know of the collateral damage often inflicted on friendly bacteria by them. A single dose applied many years ago may be the root of ongoing digestive ailments.
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