What are probiotics?

Probiotics are made up of good live microbes. It is a combination of live bacteria and yeast, both naturally living in the human body. There are two types of bacteria, good and bad which are constantly present in the body. In probiotics, good bacteria are present that help to keep the body healthy or working well.

What are the sources of probiotics?

A good source of probiotics is yoghurt and the most common source is a fermented food that naturally contains probiotics. We can take probiotics as dietary supplements in capsule, tablet or powder form.

Where does probiotic (microbes) live in the body?

Several locations in the body host good microbes. The most common place for live microbes is in the gut (mostly the large intestine). Other locations are:

• Mouth
• Vagina
• Urinary tract
• Skin

How does it work?

The main aim of probiotics is to maintain a healthy balance in the body. When we get sick, bad bacteria enter the body and it gets the body out of balance. Good bacteria help in flushing out bad bacteria, & returning to better health.

It helps boost the immune system. Certain types of good bacteria help in:

• To help the body in digestion.
• Create amino-acids.
• To help support the cell line in the gut to prevent the bad bacteria enter.
• To help absorb the nutrients.
• To help in breakdown and absorbing medications.
• To help remove the bad microbes.

What are the most common probiotic bacteria?

There are certain types of bacteria considered probiotics, the two most common bacteria found in probiotics:

– Lactobacillus

– Bifidobacterium

There is one good yeast in probiotics.

– Saccharomyces boulardii

Can probiotics help in medical conditions?

Yes, there is a certain medical condition where probiotics may help.

• Diarrhoea caused by antibiotics
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Yeast infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Lactose intolerance
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

What is the role of probiotics in IBS?

Probiotics help gut bacteria improve the IBS symptoms. Probiotics help in maintaining and stabilizing intestinal flora. Probiotics’ effect on the gastrointestinal tract:

• It decreases bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine.
• It increases the mass of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
• It helps in reversing the motility of the digestive tract and visceral hypersensitivity.
• It helps in fighting inflammation.
• It helps in reducing gas production by balancing the gut flora.
• It helps in slowing down bowel movements.
• It helps in improving the digestion and absorption of foods and nutrients.
• Nowadays, probiotics are becoming an important part of the diet of everyday life.

Probiotics can help to prevent and treat diarrhoea:

• Probiotics are widely used to prevent diarrhoea or reduce its severity. After taking so many antibiotics diarrhoea is a common side effect of IBS.
• Probiotics help balance the bacteria which is caused by antibiotics.
• When we lose the good bacteria in the body, then probiotics help in replacing them.

Probiotics help to balance the healthy bacteria in the digestive system:

• Probiotics maintain the natural balance of gut bacteria.
• An imbalance of gut bacteria happens due to health illness, poor diet, due to medication like antibiotics.
• Probiotics are usually found in fermented foods or also in supplements.
• Probiotics are healthy bacteria which are suitable for the digestive system. These probiotics help gut flora to keep healthy. In the digestive tract, probiotics help in the breakdown of protein and fat to build strength after an illness.

Probiotics may help boost the immune system:

• Probiotics may help boost the immune system and protect against infections. The incidence of infection may be reduced by probiotics.
• The probiotic lactobacillus crispatus also helps reduce the risk of urinary tract infections in women.

For more information, you can visit Healthline and Medscape.

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