Probiotics
Probiotics come in the form of a food supplement or by consuming more fermented foods. These help dramatically to benefit general health, digestive function and wellbeing by colonising the bowels with healthy bacteria. In Naturopathic terms the gut is defined as being the centre of the entire body. If the digestive function is optimal then the rest of the body in turn is provided with nutrition, energy and oxygen through improved absorption. Consequently liver detoxification, removal of wastes via the kidneys and bowels are improved. Probiotics are friendly germs which help to maintain the health of the digestive tract and aid in digestion. Taking a course of probiotics may subtly improve health, however used for longer periods of time it is a super food which can greatly improve health and reduce disease states caused by inflammation and infection.
Digestive bacteria is a delicate balance
The balance of bacteria in the digestive system and bowels is a delicate environment, it can be influenced by many factors, some of these are:
- Pharmaceutical medications
- Birth control pills
- Candida
- Anti-biotic therapy
- Incomplete digestive processes
- Leaky gut
- Emotional stress
- Inadequate liver function
- Poor eating habits, including excessive consumption of refined sugar foods
- Decreased liver function
Energy and gut health
A probiotic supplement may help to improve digestive function and general health, wellbeing and energy production by:
- Helping to recolonise the colon with beneficial bacteria, thereby improving the absorption of B Vitamins, proteins, fats, Calcium, Phosphorus and Iron
- Address leaky gut issues
- An influx of healthy bacteria in the gut helps to crowd out disease causing organisms, thereby restoring proper balance to the intestinal flora
- Stimulate immunity
- Recolonising the bowels with beneficial bacteria
- Removal of wastes from the bowels, lymphatics, kidneys and circulation
- Reduce allergies and food intolerances
- Potentially harmful yeasts and harmful organisms are kept under control
- Reduce gut inflammation, bacterial infections and inflammatory bowel diseases
- Inhibit Helicobacter pylori which is a bacteria that contributes to stomach ulcers
- Encourage the synthesis of Vitamin B12 in the small intestines
- Alkalise the digestive and urinary system
- Enhance digestion by reducing symptoms such as constipation, flatulence, diarrhea and bloating
Foods which help to increase healthy bowel flora
- Japanese miso
- tempeh
- kefir
- raw milk
- kombucha
- bananas
- garlic
- onions
- Sauerkraut
- apples