The human gut hosts bacteria to aid it in the digestion and absorption of nutrients and assist the immune system to fight off foreign organisms such as viruses. They mostly reside in the large intestines due to the favorable pH conditions and plenty of nutrients. These microorganisms also aid in the maintenance of body weight and maturation of blood vessels. The bacteria are known as microflora and can be classified as either good or bad. Probiotics are the preparations of live bacteria that ensure that good bacteria thrive in your gut. Prebiotics are indigestible nutrients that stimulate the growth of the good bacteria found in the colon. Read on to learn about the benefits of probiotics and prebiotics.
Now You Will Learn About The Health Benefits Of Probiotics And Prebiotics
Minimizes Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is simply defined as the inability to break down and digest lactose, a compound found in milk and its products. Depending on the amount of lactose ingested, symptoms vary in severity and include bloating, diarrhea and abdominal pain. According to an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition edition published in 2000, use of probiotics was found to aid in the digestion of lactose and consequently lessened the effects of its intolerance among individuals with such condition.
Probiotic Drinks (Photo credit: Jepster)
Reduction of Frequency of Severe Diarrhea
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists rotavirus as the biggest cause of acute diarrhea is children. Using probiotic bacteria supplements can reduce the frequency and duration of these infections. It does so by stimulating your immune system.
Prevention of Colon Cancer
Research indicates that the byproducts of the fermentation of prebiotics prevent the growth of and kill cancer cells inside the large intestine. This reduces the risk of cancer in persons with family history that indicates a predisposition to develop colon cancer.
Improved Absorption of Minerals
Research also indicates that prebiotics can possibly improve the rate of absorption of some minerals in our gut. Such minerals include zinc, iron, calcium and magnesium. Research carried out in 2009 indicates that a certain type of prebiotic known as fructo-oligosaccharide boosted the absorption of magnesium in teenage girls.
Production of Vitamins
Vitamin B12 is naturally synthesized by gut bacteria. It can also be produced by your own probiotic bacteria. It assists in red blood cells’ maturation and DNA synthesis, with its deficiency causing anemia. Folic acid is another B-vitamin produced by gut bacteria and serves the same role as vitamin B12. The other B-complex vitamin produced in the gut is biotin which assists the enzymes in your body to break down and assimilate fats, amino acids and carbohydrates. Biotin can only be synthesized by algae, molds, yeasts, bacteria and certain plants and is required by all life forms.
Immune System Stimulation
Research carried out in 2009 found out that probiotics can enhance the capabilities of the immune system by stimulating. This can prove useful in the treatment and prevention of atopic eczema in infants and also the treatment of human inflammatory infections in the intestine.
Reduction of Body Weight
Prebiotics can also reduce your body weight by reducing the levels of ghrelin, a hunger hormone, thus making you feel full.
As you can see there are a lot of health benefits from taking probiotics and prebiotics. So what are you waiting for go get some now.
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