Probiotics: Are they your best friends for life?
Probiotics. It’s a word we see everywhere and it seems to be something straight from a marketing company trying to sell yogurt. And yet, probiotics are indeed beneficial for maintaining our health. It’s more than a simple advertising angle; they’re the basis of our organism. Here’s an article about how important probiotics are, written by Familiprix in collaboration with Probaclac and Vie de Parents.
What are they?
Probiotics are living microorganisms that protect the intestinal flora’s balance. They work in two ways: to stimulate the immune system, which helps prevent certain infections, and to regulate the immune system to control inflammations, such as irritable bowel syndrome and allergic diseases.
With all the products on the market today, the consumer can quickly become confused with all the sources of probiotic information. What is necessary to know is that our body has a bacterial profile comprising two distinct strains: the human strains which reside in the digestive tract (such as lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium bifidum, for example) and the transient strains that are also found there (such as lactobacillus casei and streptococcus thermophilus). Together, these multiple strains play a protective role against virulent bacteria.
Every individual has a unique system and therefore a distinct microbiota, much like DNA or fingerprints. The use of multi-strain probiotics, as offered by Probaclac, therefore provide greater success. Why is this? Because their products contain the good bacteria that will do the job required in the gut microbiota.
Tip: Pay attention to the packaging, check the list of ingredients, and read the recommended dosages.
A bit of vocabulary
Does the work microbiota mean anything to you? This word refers to all micro-organisms—bacteria, viruses, parasites and non-pathogenic fungi—that live in a specific environment, such as in the lungs, the mouth, nose or even in the skin. Your intestines hosts the most varied microorganisms. In fact, by comparison, the stomach’s microbiota is a hundred million times less “populated” than that of the intestines. The gut microbiota is described as the most important microbiota in the human body, and it plays a role in digestion metabolism and in immune and neurological functions1. The alteration of intestinal microbiota has been the subject of several studies and led to the explanation of certain diseases, in particular the autoimmune or inflammatory ones. Good multi-strain probiotics, such as Probaclac, act in the small intestine with lactobacilli as well as in the colon with bifidobacteria.
A probiotic refers to a product that contains adequate doses of health-enhancing bacteria2. This is not to be confused with prebiotics, which cleanse the microbiota. By undergoing fermentation in the colon, prebiotics nourish and stimulate the probiotics’ actions in the body.
Natural, living products!
Probiotics are part of normal human flora; in the mouth, the digestive tract and the female genitalia3. It’s also found in fermented foods, dairy products, including kefir, and yogurt. They come in the form of supplements, and are available to support the body during various stresses, such as when taking antibiotics.
A blend of strains provides synergy that multiplies the health benefits4. Some studies tend to show that probiotic complexes like Probaclac can reduce certain illnesses, such as the severity of irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, and Helicobacter pylori infection.
The discoveries surrounding the role of the microbiota in the body are generating a lot of enthusiasm and the link between its composition, genetics and diet is undeniable. It’s worth informing yourself well about fermented preparations that nourish the intestinal flora and supplements when needed.
Contrary to popular belief, moderation is the key. Even if it's good for your health, you have to know when to stop and use caution to prevent them from generating undesirable effects, such as bloating, flatulence and abdominal cramps5. For those who wish to maintain their microbiota balance, a few billion active cells are enough , as demonstrated by Probaclac products’ dosages.
To find out more, feel free to discuss the use of probiotics with a health professional. They will be able to inform you and help you find the best products for you.
Sources
1- https://www.inserm.fr/dossier/microbiote-intestinal-flore-intestinale/
2- Sanders ME. Probiotics: definition, sources, selection, and uses. Clin Infect Dis. 2008; 46 (Suppl 2): S58-61.
4- Timmerman HM, Koning CJ, Mulder L, Rombouts FM et Beynen AC. Monostrain, multi strain and multispecies probiotics–A comparison of functionality and efficacy. Int J Food Microbiol. 2004 Nov; 15 (3): 219-33.
5- http://www.jydionne.com/comment-choisir- un-supplement-de-probiotiques/
6- http://www.livestrong.com/article/367869-recommended-dosage-for-probiotics/
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