Probiotics And Your Health

There is an inner secret world within you that dramatically influences your health and longevity. The Earth is home to an abundance of life forms that sometimes exist harmoniously and at other times struggle fitfully against each other.

The human body also holds a vast internal ecosystem consisting of millions of living micro organisms that coexist, sometimes harmoniously and sometimes disruptively.

This vast internal ecosystem, called by many researchers our human intestinal flora, dramatically influences, and to a certain degree even directs, every individual’s personal state of health and well being. This includes our physical and mental health, our metabolism, and quite possibly, our life span.

Over 400 distinct species of micro organisms inhabit the various regions of the human digestive tract, making up nearly four pounds of every individual’s total body weight. This vast population of micro organisms far exceeds the number of tissue cells that make up the human body.

If this ecosystem is functioning properly it guards your body against harmful bacteria, yeast and viruses. It also stimulates the function of the entire digestive system and produces essential vitamins and regulates their levels.

This vast unseen world maintains your body’s vital chemical and hormonal balance. It also performs a vast number of necessary tasks for maintaining high energy levels, proper immune function and counteracts cancer causing compounds in the colon.

• Health checkup: The power of sauerkraut (Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
  
  Sauerkraut is a nutritional powerhouse.