Probiotics And Your Health

It is important to understand that both beneficial “friendly” and harmful “unfriendly” micro organisms inhabit the human intestinal tract simultaneously. They enjoy a complex symbiotic relationship with each other. In fact, in many cases each contributes to the overall function and health of the intestinal tract, while keeping the other in check at the same time.

For example, even unfriendly micro organisms, such as the small colonies of Candida yeast that inhabit the intestinal tract, carry out important tasks relating to human digestion. They aid in the digestion of sugars and release vital enzymes, nutrients and other essential substances as by products of their work.

Normally, friendly micro organisms such as L. acidophilus and others keep the Candida yeast in check. They prevent Candida from over colonizing the digestive tract and spreading elsewhere. If conditions prevail which allow the Candida yeast to grow uncontrollably, their once beneficial work turns grossly destructive to the human host and may result in an infectious spread to other areas of the body.

Of course, under undisturbed conditions, the balance of “friendly” micro organisms to “unfriendly” micro organisms remains remarkably stable. Intestinal function runs smoothly, with digestion and metabolism operating at peak levels, providing essential enzymes, nutrients and chemicals to the rest of the body.

Healthful conditions prevail. It is only when the ecology of the gastrointestinal tract becomes disturbed or otherwise altered that the balance of friendly micro organisms to unfriendly micro organisms becomes disrupted, and serious health problems could begin to occur.

(Refer source: Family Health News)

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