What are Probiotics and Prebiotics?Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that have been naturally or clinically fermented. Probiotics are not broken down in the gut or absorbed in the stomach, but instead are non-digestible food ingredients which ferment in the intestine, stimulating the growth and activity of helpful microorganisms. Probiotics can be taken to support the growth of probiotic bacteria. When probiotics and Prebiotics are efficiently taken together in this way they form a synbiotic. Why do we need them?
Our bodies are full of both good and bad strains of bacteria. Our intestines in particular are full of microorganisms, which are called gut flora.
Scientific research has shown that there are somewhere between 300 and 1000 different species of bacteria in the gut, both helpful bacteria and also disease-causing bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and parasites.
Although our bodies are always naturally trying to produce the good bacteria, it is extremely easy for the levels of bad bacteria and good bacteria to become dangerously unbalanced.
This can lead to poor health and the development of illnesses.
For example, if high quantities of helicobacter pylori are present in the intestine, it may weaken the protective coating of the stomach, allowing digestive juices to irritate the sensitive stomach lining and causing ulcers and stomach inflammation.
By maintaining a healthy level of good bacteria in our guts, through what we eat and dietary supplements, we can prevent the dangerous bacteria from the food we eat multiplying and growing.
Where are they found?Probiotics are found in foods with specially added active live cultures, such as yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk products, miso, tempeh, and some soy beverages products. Dietary sources of prebiotics include flax hulls, whole grains, garlic, leeks, artichokes, bananas and honey, all of which may improve the gastrointestinal health and calcium absorption. However, due to busy, modern day lifestyles, most people do not eat enough whole grain products and other natural produces to help the body maintain a good gut flora in the intestines. A good quality probiotic capsule can therefore be an excellent, efficient way to boost levels of healthy bacteria. 1 small capsule of a 4 billion multi flora probiotic is equivalent to eating 8 pots of yogurt.
So you get the same amount of probiotic support without the added disadvantage of all the extra sugar, fats and calories that are in a tub of yogurt. Probiotic capsules can contain many different strains of good bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, lactobacilli and acidophilus. Some just have acidophilus, which is generally used if you have just taken a course of antibiotics. A few probiotics on the market can even contain up to 17 different strains of bacteria, providing 70 billion live bacteria in each capsule. Just imagine how many pots of yogurt you would have to eat to match the 70 billion live bacteria your body can get from just 1 probiotic capsule! Who could benefit from taking probiotic capsules?After a course of antibiotics, there will be low levels of friendly bacteria in the body, because antibiotics kill all the good bacteria as well as removing the harmful bacteria which caused the disease. If you have more serious health issues, a good quality probiotic may therefore help reduce the side effects caused by antibiotics. Research has suggested that people over 60 have on average about 1000-fold less natural, friendly bacteria in their guts than other adults. Probiotics are a beneficial supplement for older people, as they help improve the friendly flora in the gut and help reduce the risk of bowel conditions, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which many older people may be susceptible to. Probiotics aid digestion by helping all the nutrients from your food to be absorbed into your body rather than being excreted out. Probiotics also help move waste food from our bodies quickly so that bad bacteria cannot build up in our intestines. Anyone suffering from a Vitamin B deficiency may benefit from probiotics, as high levels of friendly bacteria aid the production of Vitamin B. This may boost levels of Vitamin B which are often low, due to many factors, including a bad diet, smoking, stress and alcohol. If you suffer from any of the following, it may be the case that your body is deficient in healthy bacteria and could benefit from taking probiotic capsules: - Bad wind and bloating
- Fungal infections
- Body odour, bad breath
- Constipation
- Asthma and allergies
- Tooth decay and periodontal disease
- Vaginal infections and bladder infections
A good quality probiotic can be an excellent supplement, for anyone, alongside a healthy diet. Best probiotic supplement to complement your diet and food intake. Probiotic dietary supplement and probiotic bacteria supplements made from superior quality ingredients. We stock only the best probiotic brands for ibs sufferers. We have taken the time to find only the best brand of probiotic's such as LB17 live probiotic capsules and biomass Health benefits of probiotic'sMaintain a healthy colon with probiotics for ibs (irritable bowel syndrome). Choose from our wide range of probiotic capsules and top rated probiotic supplements. | 
