by Paula Owens
Probiotics are one of the Winning Formula supplements you'll read about in The Power of 4. The word probiotic is derived from the Greek meaning "for life." Probioitics consists of live, beneficial, healthy bacteria that help us in many ways. This "friendly" bacteria resides in the intestinal tract and contributes to good health by improving nutrition and protecting against disease. Chronic health conditions are on the rise. Antibacterial soaps, washes and wipes, impure water, processed foods, stress, chronic dehydration, oral contraceptives, mercury amalgams, total toxic load and nutrient deficient diets disrupt healthy flora. Stress upsets the delicate balance of the intestinal flora and imbalances of friendly bacteria, leading to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Probioitics are effective for maintenance and therapeutic use for immune, skin and gastrointestinal issues.
22 reasons to supplement with probiotics:
1. Enhanced intestinal health and improve digestion
2. Promotes regularity of bowel function
3. Restores healthy flora and lessens side effects after a bout of antibiotics (one of the most over-prescribed Rx drugs out there)
4. Supports normal inflammation response (addresses chronic inflammation)
5. Plays a role in normalizing and decreasing serum cholesterol and triglycerides
6. Fights infectious diseases
7. Helps prevent production and absorption of toxins produced by disease-causing bacteria which reduces the toxic load of the liver
8. Improves nutrient absorption
9. Prevents against vaginal and urinary tract infections
10. Boosts immune function (70 percent of your immune system is located in your digestive system. If your gut is full of bad bacteria, there's a good chance your immune system will not be functioning at its best).
11. Protects against invasion of pathogenic viruses, yeasts, Candida, parasites and bacteria.
12. Reduces risk of hospital infections after surgery
13. Supports
healthy skin (atopic eczema, hives, psoriasis, Candida rashes.
Note: With Candida, supplement with the probiotic, Saccharomyces boulardii and take Diflucan (available via Rx only). Saccharomyces boulardii is a nonpathogenic, probiotic yeast which nutritionally supports the health of the gastrointestinal tract. This yeast protects against intestinal dysbiosis caused by a disruption in the balance of healthy gut flora.
14. Addresses gastrointestinal syndromes (diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, IBS, leaky gut)
15. Produces digestive enzymes and B-vitamins, including B-12 (digestion, nervous system)
16. May reduce incidence of life-long allergies, asthma and atopic eczema when taken during pregnancy and after birth
17. May decrease production of intestinal carcinogens
18. Supports the mucosal immune barrier (viruses, bacteria)
19. Improves enzymatic activity
20. Helpful for extreme fatigue, stress and autoimmune diseases
21. Protects against cancer development and progression
22. Help women lose weight after giving birth if taken during the 1st trimester of pregnancy
Healthy probiotic-rich foods include natto, yogurt, kefir and sauerkraut, and are naturally fermented and unpasteurized. Most people benefit from supplementing with probiotics daily. The most common probiotic bacteria in supplements are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. There are over 35 species of Bifidobacteria and 125 species of Lactobacilli making up the majority of gut microflora found in your large bowel or colon.
Order your probiotics here.
Copyright 2009 Paula Owens www.PaulaOwens.com
Paula is a holistic nutritionist, fitness and weight loss expert with over 20 years of experience. She is the author of THE POWER OF 4 - Your Ultimate Guide Guaranteed to Change Your Body and Transform Your Life. She holds a Masters degree in Holistic Nutrition, a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology and numerous professional health and fitness certifications. Paula works with clients throughout the U.S. helping those with hormone imbalances, weight loss, physique transformation, adrenal fatigue, digestive disorders, obesity, diabetes, cancer and many other health complaints.
Visit Paula at www.PaulaOwens.com
