Is it true that probiotics and prebiotics can boost immunity and improve digestion?
Some people are more suspect to stomach bugs than others; but at one time or another we all suffer from those early morning stomach pains. Is it because we have weak stomachs or because we don’t have enough good bacteria in our stomachs?
Today, millions of us drag ourselves out of bed in the mornings and the first thing we do is open the fridge door and grab hold of a little plastic bottle, rip off the foil top and down a few millilitres of tasty yoghurt. It seems to help, but is it really working, or is it maybe just in our minds?
The reality is that the bacteria in probiotics are strong enough to survive the acid in the stomach and reach the intestines alive in sufficient numbers to help support your own good bacteria. Drinking one bottle of probiotics daily can help keep your gut healthy and a healthy gut also means stronger natural defences.
Each one of those little bottles contains an incredible 10 billion exclusive cultures. Probiotics are the focus of intense scientific interest with continued research demonstrating their potential broad range of benefits in maintaining health. Research has shown that probiotics strengthen the immune system to help combat allergies, stress, exposure to toxic substances and other diseases such as diarrhoea.
The immune system is one of the body's defence systems. It defends against infectious organisms and other invaders through a series of steps collectively known as the immune response. It works by attacking organisms and substances that are not recognised by the body which could otherwise invade the body and lead to illness or disease.
The immune system is made up of a complex network of cells, tissues and organs that work together to protect the body. How well the body's defence system works is dependent on several different elements such as: genetics, the external environment, nutrition and lifestyle. These all assist in maintaining this essential defence system at a sufficient level to stimulate an effective response to infections or bad bacteria and other aggressors.
It is important to understand what can weaken natural defences and how to help strengthen them. For example, the influence of stress (both psychological and physical) on the immune system is increasingly being recognised. A strong link has been demonstrated between stress and an increased susceptibility to infections, atopic diseases and asthma.
Established benefits of probiotics
Probiotics and immunity
Probiotics and stress
Probiotics and diarrhoea in young children
Probiotics and winter infections
Probiotics and Clostridium Difficile
Probiotics and Heliobacter pylori (H.pylori)
New and emerging benefits of probiotics identified
Probiotics and inflammatory bowel disease
Probiotics and irritable bowel syndrome
Probiotics and bladder cancer
Link to abstracts
Probiotics:
Bananas, garlic, onions, honey, artichokes, oats, leeks. These ingredients also stimulate the growth of your own benefical bacteria.
