Good bacteria in the service of health
We often hear that probiotics are good for our health and immune system, but many still do not understand what probiotics really are, what they are for and how to use them.
In our intestines live beneficial and harmful bacteria. Experts agree that the ratio should be approximately 85% good and 15% bad bacteria. By consuming probiotic foods and probiotic supplements, we help our body get that ratio back to normal. New research shows that the positive effects of probiotics go much further than previously thought. Probiotics are crucial, not only for better health and a stronger immune system but also for recovery of the digestive tract, mental health, and neurological disorders.
The first and most neglected reason why the digestive tract is so important to our health lies in the fact that 80% of our entire immune system is located right in the digestive tract. The secret to the recovery of our digestive system lies in the balance between good and bad bacteria in the gut. If you want to be healthy you need to consume foods rich in probiotics or take dietary supplements every day. Probiotics are therefore living microorganisms (so-called "good" bacteria) that applied in adequate quantities have beneficial effects on the health of the host. According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, probiotics have a beneficial effect on diarrhea, constipation, allergies, cancer, urinary tract infections, and other conditions and diseases such as lactose intolerance, colon cancer prevention, lowering cholesterol, lowering blood pressure.
Most probiotic preparations contain approximately 1 000 000 000 bacteria per gram. In each product, regardless of the manufacturer, there is an instruction on the recommended amount per day, although for now there are no data on the risks in case of overdose. Quality is much more important than the number of bacteria because they must survive the action of the stomach and bile acids and the alkaline content in the duodenum in order to reach the intestines alive and be effective. Probiotics should be taken at least 5 times a week to maintain their effect on the intestinal microflora.
Probiotics do not need to be taken to stay healthy, but a growing body of evidence suggests that they help maintain good health, primarily by improving immune function, maintaining normal gastrointestinal function, and preventing infections. So it is not bad to try to include them in our diet. Changes will be present.
