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Technology With Probiotic Production

August 16, 2013 by Lara Swanson

probiotics-technologyA large number of probiotic strains are beneficial to the human health. However, many of the useful microflora of the gut and intestinal origin are non-culturable. Therefore, to become a successful probiotic product a strain in addition to its beneficial traits needs to be easily culturable. The bacteria could be cultured in bulk in easily available media. Modifications in the existing technologies have focused on increment in yields through bulk culture methods. This could produce large amounts of cheap probiotic strains. Another issue which requires to be addressed is the viability of the probiotic strains. The bacteria must be propagated and processed in ways which acclimatize it to the harsh environmental conditions that it will encounter once inside the human body before they could exert their effects.

Large Scale Propagation of Probiotics:

A bacterial strain could be in commercial demand for its ability to provide health benefits and the easy technologies involved in its large scale production. Therefore, efforts are being carried out to generate efficient culture techniques that will ensure the high yield of cells without compromising the stability of the probiotics in food or other related supplements. Since, many of the strains of intestinal origin with probiotic efficacy are difficult to culture and in order to have an impact on economy and health they need to survive. Also, development of newer technological strategies could only lead to diversification of the strains that gives rise to more efficient product generation. Until recently, the large scale production of probiotic strains have been carried out using conventional culture techniques. Some of the favored techniques include batch fermentation, suspension culture. [Read more…]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: probiotic production, probiotics

Co-Ordination of Probiotics With Prebiotics

August 15, 2013 by Lara Swanson

probiotics-prebioticsMany human diseases have found the healing touch in a balanced diet with necessary supplements. The prebiotics are dietary fibers that have found application in many such cases. However, the polysaccharides cannot be digested by the human beings under normal circumstances. Therefore, a combination of prebiotics with probiotics (called synbiotics) can be the best remedy. e.g., fibers containing dietary supplements are advised to patients with chronic constipation problems but emerging results prove that an inclusion of probiotics can alleviate the problem manifold as compared to the intake of fibres alone.

Prebiotics Could Enrich The Probiotic Population

Although the human body lacks the polysaccharidases (the enzymes needed to digest the polysaccharides) to digest the prebiotics or the dietary fibers, when added to the nutritional regime of an individual have been found to cause sufficient health benefits. So, who can be reason behind their proper utilization? Studies have revealed that the microbes residing within the human gastro-intestinal linings have the necessary efficiency to degrade these saccharides. However, one major concern is that besides the beneficial microflora in the GI tract there is also pathogenic flora whose growth and proliferation rate needs to be curbed. A good prebiotic is one which will result in the enrichment of the growth of the probiotics specifically. Inulin like polysaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, fructans and some other classes of carbohydrate food have been reported to act as probiotic enrichment media. According to the work of Ranadheera and his group, the nutrition is one of the determining factors for the regulation of microbial colonization of the GI tract. The study also suggests that the bacteria may be buffered by the food and its functional components through the extreme conditions of the stomach. There are also possibilities of potential interactions between the substrates and the microbes. Gibson and Sanders have shown that an increase in prebiotic diet helps maintaining a good and healthy microflora of the host gut. Natural prebiotics are an essential ingredient of many food products that enhances the functionality of the probiotics. The contents of the food may be manipulated accordingly to increase the efficacy of the probiotics. e.g., prebiotics supplemented alongwith meat and diary products, beverages, cereals, baby food, etc to increase the efficacy of the beneficial bacteria. Many other food ingredients have been found to be effective for this purpose that includes whole parts and extracts of plants, microbial metabolites, fatty acids. Therefore, there is enough scope for the concomitant use of prebiotics and probiotics to exert a synergistic beneficial effect. [Read more…]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: prebiotics, probiotics

How Do Probiotics Affect Stool?

August 12, 2013 by Lara Swanson

probiotics-constipationAlthough it is fairly common to hear people advise others to take probiotics after a round of antibiotics, few people really understand the reason behind that, or what the benefits of probiotics are. One common question that comes up in probiotics discussions is their effects on the bowels. If you have read our previous discussions on probiotics for men, women, and children, you may be wondering if taking probiotics will have an effect on your bowel health. This article will explore the positive effects that probiotics can have on stool, especially in relation to antibiotic-related diarrhea, and overall bowel health.

The Effects of Antibiotics

According to the Mayo Clinic website, diarrhea cause by taking antibiotics is not an unusual occurrence. Although most cases of diarrhea are considered “mild” but the Mayo clinic report, diarrhea is never a pleasant experience. WebMD reports that antibiotic related diarrhea occurs in 1 in 3 people taking antibiotics, a much broader scope than indicated by the Mayo clinic. Again, many cases are mild and clear up soon after the antibiotic course is finished. Other cases are more severe and can cause colitis, or inflammation of the colon.

So what causes this digestive upset when taking antibiotics? According to a report by the Cleveland Clinic titled Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea and Clostridium Difficile, antibiotics, while treating the targeted illness, cause a disruption in the normal balance of the gut microbes. Although antibiotics are designed to eliminate bacteria that are causing disease, they also destroy the good bacteria in the gut. This can lead to diarrhea. The Cleveland Clinic report makes a definite differentiation between antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) and clostridium difficile, stating that and infection of the latter is usually the cause of extended bouts of diarrhea and more serious colitis. Interestingly, the article suggests antimicrobial medications to treat clostridium, but states that it generally recurs.

Probiotics and AAD

Non-profit research organization RAND, conducted a review of existing research to determine the effectiveness of probiotics at preventing and treating diarrhea related to taking antibiotics. According to their meta-analysis, taking probiotics during the course of an antibiotic treatment led to a 42% lower risk of developing AAD. A study by the Indiana University School of Medicine and reported by the Digestive Diseases and Sciences journal reported that just the inclusion of yogurt into the diet while taking antibiotics, showed significant reduction in AAD. Of course, other yogurts vary with the viability of their probiotics, so it patients generally find much greater reliability when the supplement with a quality probiotic with specific strains of good bacteria. So, word to the wise: if you have to take antibiotics, make sure to include a quality probiotic in your daily regimen.

Help for Constipation

On the opposite end of the bowel spectrum is the area of constipation, a common problem of people of all ages, but especially those over 65. A fair amount of research is available on the topic of constipation and probiotics, especially among the elderly. A study in the Journal of Nutrition, Health, and Aging (2011 Mar; 15(3):215-20) reported that a group of elderly patients given probiotics were able to significantly reduce laxative use while maintaining adequate bowel movements.

Of course, it isn’t just a random study that is making observations on the effects of probiotics on the bowels. People like Dr. Oz recommend probiotics specifically for their effect on the bowels, particularly for dealing with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and constipation. The specific strain he recommends for bowel health is the bifidobacteria. Dr. Weil chimes in with his support for probiotic use to enhance bowel function.

Constipation and Diarrhea? What Gives?

If you are wondering how probiotics can help both with diarrhea and constipation, you are not alone. At first glance, it does not make sense. But that is because our minds have been trained to treat symptoms, rather than actual causes. If you have diarrhea, take Pepto-Bismol, or if you are constipated, go for a laxative. When considering the effects of probiotics on the stool, it is important to realize that these “friendly” bacteria are working to restore balance in the body, regardless of what the symptom of that imbalance is. Because the body is designed to work in balance, an upset of that balance produces symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Dr. John Y. Kao, professor at the University of Michigan asserts that even stress can affect the natural balance in the gut, producing IBS and other bowel symptoms. Facts like that help bring the whole idea of probiotics into perspective. Any disruption of the body’s normal balance, whether through taking antibiotics, chemotherapy, or even undergoing too much stress has a negative impact on the bowels. While over the counter medication may bring temporary relief to symptoms, probiotics work to restore balance.

Filed Under: General

Simplifying All The Terminology About Probiotics

August 5, 2013 by Lara Swanson

simplifying all you knowApart from the bad bacteria that cause disease in the human body, there are many bacteria that are not bad and are actually good and provide many health benefits. These are known as Probiotics, a term, which literally means “for life”. Probiotics are present in many foods such as yogurt and are also available as supplements. To better understand probiotics and probiotic foods you should be aware of the terminology that is used in relation to probiotics. Let’s define and explain some of the terms so that you can better understand what you are reading and learning about probiotics. [Read more…]

Filed Under: General

Probiotics – What You Need To Know About Consuming Them

August 5, 2013 by Lara Swanson

kwowledgeProbiotics: Consumption Methods

When it comes to taking probiotics, there are various forms in which they can be consumed. Some of these are discussed in this article.

Oral Probiotics
Many people get their probiotics through eating various foods. The other method of taking probiotics is as a supplement, usually a capsule or two. These probiotics are aimed at balancing the gut flora in a positive fashion.

Probiotics do not change the flavor of foods, but they may contribute slightly to the flavor. An example is yogurt. It would probably not taste the same if the active cultures of probiotic bacteria were not present. Yogurt starts with a certain number of naturally occurring probiotic organisms, but many have now been supplemented with specific probiotic microorganisms.

Some of the foods that contain probiotics include cheeses, kefir, sour cream, and yogurt.

One problem with foods as a source of probiotics is that even if they do contain the probiotic organisms there is no guarantee that they will have the probiotics in a large enough number or in the form that is needed in order to get health benefits. Try to find out if the manufacturer has studies to support that their food, with its probiotics, makes a significant contribution.

The probiotic microorganisms must stay alive in order to give you the benefit. This means that the product must be closely monitored and stored in the correct conditions for the microorganisms to survive. Do not expect the shelf life of such products to be very long. Fresh probiotics are the best, and should be stored in the refrigerator. Air and moisture can damage probiotics so watch packaging carefully.

The organisms must be able to survive the stomach acids in order to reach the bowel, where they will do the most work. If the organisms are inside of a capsule, the capsule must not dissolve in the stomach, but must dissolve in the small intestines to allow release of the probiotics.

A potency should be found on the bottle if you are taking probiotics in a capsule. A serving of food may also give a potency. It tells you the number of viable bacteria per dose or capsule or serving. You might also find a mention on the bottle about the presence of contaminating or other bacteria that do not contribute as they are not considered probiotic.

There are more than 50 species of lactobacillus. Some of the lactobacilli found in foods and supplements include Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. acidophilus DDS-1, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus plantarium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus salivarius, and Lactobacillus bulgarius. You may note that some of these sound rather specific, with the GG or DDS-1 denoting very specific strains.

Approximately 30 species of bifidobacteria exist. Some that are used as probiotics include Bifodbacterium bifidum, Bifodbacterium thermophilum, Bifodbacterium infantis, Bifodbacterium breve, Bifodbacterium longum, Bifodbacterium lactis, and Bifodbacterium pseudolongum.

There are a few other organisms that are considered to be gut probiotics. These include Streptococcus thermophiles, Saccharomyces boulardii, and Enterococcus faecium.

Honestly, there are no universally used, or suggested for use, combination of probiotic microorganisms that will help every person. Each of us has our own version of gut flora, a variation on a theme. Most people do a little bit of trial and error until they find a probiotic combination that does not give them side effects and that they feel works. It may be a specific yogurt or kefir, a specific supplement, or a combination of the two.

One of the best things you can do when trying to decide what probiotics to focus on is to decide what you want to help, i.e., are you trying to avoid diarrhea?. Then do a little internet research to find out what organisms are suggested when trying to treat your issue. That way you can pick out a probiotic supplement, food or capsule that will contain those specific organisms.

Always pick brands you trust. Research by ConsumerLab.com has shown that some items do not contain the ingredients that they claim to contain, even when dealing with more common brands. There is no regulation of how foods are supplemented with probiotics, nor how supplements are produced. Even if the item is “correct” when it leaves the production line, a probiotic microorganism might die in transport.

Another thing that you may see are compounds labeled prebiotics. These are non-digestible carbohydrates that can act as food for probiotic organisms. Prebiotics are naturally part of yogurt or kefir. You could attempt to add prebiotics to your regimen, but there are no suggested doses. Prebiotics are found in bananas, whole grains, artichokes, onions, garlic, and honey. You can help your probiotics to work better with a diet that includes healthy portions of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Other forms of probiotics

Probiotics may also be administered in suppository form. There is a vaginal suppository that can be used to help populate the vagina with “good” bacteria in an effort to keep yeast from overgrowing or to keep bacterial vaginosis from recurring. The reviews on whether it works are mixed, but for those females it does work feel very happy with the results. Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus rhamnosus vaginal capsules have been found to help with bacterial vaginosis.

Suppositories to use rectally exist, but there is no good consensus on whether they help or not. Most people try to use oral probiotics that last throughout the digestive tract.

Probiotics can be found in creams. One use would be for atopic eczema, a skin condition mostly found in children. Some people do feel that it helps but according to the Cochrane Database Review proof to support that probiotic creams truly help eczema was not found. One of the difficulties in determining efficacy is that different creams are being used by different practitioners. There really is no suggestion for specific treatment.

Various face creams contain a variety of probiotics which are claimed to help with facial and body skin health. The hope is that the probiotic bacteria, that are theoretically good for skin, would help keep the “bad” bacteria away that could cause infection or pimples. Some people even believe that they could help with anti-aging. Not much research has been done yet to substantiate the claims. At this point in time there is little to suggest what you should use, or how much.

Overall, it is felt that a person who is serious about the ingestion of probiotics cannot get enough probiotics through eating food. There is a need for oral supplements, and when appropriate, creams or other sources of probiotics, in order to get the needed amount of probiotics into or onto your body. You will always need to experiment as to what will work for you.

References:

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/probiotics-topic-overview
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/probiotics/AN00389
http://shc.osu.edu/blog/what-are-probiotics-and-what-do-they-do
http://www.onhealth.com/probiotics/article.htm#probiotics
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/790.html
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/probiotics
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/tips/probiotics
http://cdrf.org/home/checkoff-investments/usprobiotics/
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/probiotics/introduction.htm
Photo credit paul bica @ Creative Commons – http://www.flickr.com/photos/dexxus/

Filed Under: General

Antibiotics: The Miracle of Destruction

August 5, 2013 by Lara Swanson

poison bottle like antibioticsThe modern individual cannot even begin to fathom a time when a slight fever, difficulty swallowing, soreness and pain in the throat were symptoms that could not be treated or could even lead to death. In our modern time we have reaped the benefits of one of the greatest medical advances in the twentieth century, the discovery and application of antibiotics. It was termed the wonder drug due to its ability to quickly and effectively destroy bacteria and infectious diseases.

Antibiotics quickly rose in the medical field its production skyrocketed from two million pounds in 1954 to over 50 million pounds today. The vast change in numbers is not an indication of the increased demand due to a higher population, instead it is the indication of the clear abuse and overuse of the wonder drug. This practice is a combination of nonchalant doctors who administer antibiotics left and right, to the individual who demands a prescription for cases as small as the common cold.

The problem with using antibiotics for every little thing is that the medication is an anti-bacterial, meaning that it kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria. So when you have something like the cold or flu, antibiotics are useless. And when you do have a bacterial infection, the negative effects of antibiotics usually outweigh the positive results.

Our overenthusiasm for antibiotics has led to many problems, both internally and externally. To start off, take a look at the medication’s label. The listing of side effects are near endless as well as fatal. Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, blood clotting, and blindness are all just side effects that barely scrape the surface of what is wrong with antibiotics. Of course the chances of succumbing to these side effects are slim, but why take the risk? The presence of such ailments are an indicative of the adverse effects that are bombarding you on a cellular, chemical and microscopic level.

Antibiotics are bacteria fighters. They can be categorized into two major classes:

  • Narrow-spectrum antibiotics: effective against a select class of organisms
  • Broad-spectrum antibiotics: effective against a wide range of organisms

These antibiotics are synthesized in labs and work by either killing the afflicting bacterium or by inhibiting the growth of the bacteria. While effective in their line of work, the medical field is experiencing a phenomena that was not fully predicted when antibiotics were first put to use. The overuse and subsequent abuse of antibiotics were creating strains of resistant bacteria that were more powerful and harmful to our bodies. Not only that, but in the race to rid our bodies of harmful invaders, antibiotics are starting to display lack of prejudice and are killing the good bacteria in our bodies as well.

Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

Antibiotic resistant infections are an ongoing and explosive plague that affects both the global and US health care. At the same time, we’re experiencing a hair-raising decline in the research and development of new antibiotics to deal with these new threats. Infectious bacteria become resistant to antibiotics by simply modifying or altering their genetic make-up, thus masking themselves completely invisible to the antibiotic. When the antibiotic does not recognize this new strain, it does not kill it, leading to the development of unmanageable pathogenic microorganisms and the increase of mortality rates. We are living in the midst of an unstoppable evolutionary development of infectious diseases and there is very little decision making or action being made to stop it.

The global spread of microbial resistance is primarily a result of antibiotic abuse. We use antibiotics in everything from medical purposes to cleaning products and to our livestock. In hospitals alone, 190 million doses of antibiotics are administered each day. In comparison, general practitioners administer about 133 million courses of antibiotics every year. It is estimated that about 50% of these prescriptions are unnecessary and ineffective because they are being administered for colds, coughs and other viral infections. The other half is hoarded by patients who do not finish the full dosage and use it at a later time to fight another bacterial infection, or leaves some bacteria alive in their system and allows the microbes to develop immunity to any future antibiotic treatment. A study discovered that patients who underwent a full course of antibiotics were found to have an increase of Candida infections after treatment. The other part of the antibiotic solution is its potency. Antibiotics are so powerful and effective in their job of killing off bacteria that only the strongest will survive, subsequently the strongest are also the ones that become sufficiently resistant against most forms of medical treatment.

Other uses of antibiotics have focused on the administration of the drug to our agricultural animals. Of the 50 million pounds of antibiotics that are produced today, at least half is designated for human consumption, while the rest is given to animals. Antibiotics are administered to fight bacterial infections among livestock and also stimulate growth or hormone production. Because there exists no regulations or guidelines in the usage of antibiotics for livestock, most of our agricultural animals are given excessive doses, resulting in the accumulation of antibiotics in the bloodstream which is then secreted into meat and milk that is meat for human consumption. Additionally, antibiotics are delivered in aerosol form in an effort to prevent bacterial infections, but it only succeeds in developing resistant bacteria that later proliferate and populate onto food that is eaten by humans. Through the foods that we eat we are exposed to excessive amounts of antibiotics as well as bacteria that is resistant to conventional forms of treatment.

Antibiotics and Intestinal Microflora

The advent of broad-spectrum antibiotics has created a substance that holds on bias in the war against bacteria in your system. This means that while it attacks the bad bacteria, it also upsets the delicate community of beneficial bacteria in your intestine as well. Following therapeutic usage of antibiotics, the body undergoes both short and long term impacts.

The short term effect of many antibiotics includes the significant changes in microflora in the intestine. The introduction of such harmful substances leads to the disappearance of sensitive but essential microorgranisms. It also affects the body’s already developed anti-bacterial abilities, completely voiding it of such traits and making the immune system entirely reliant on the antibiotics. Other immediate effects also includes the bodies decreased ability to metabolize and process certain lipid and carbohydrate structures that are part of consumption and the regulation of fat storage, this is in part due to the loss of beneficial bacteria that are usually charged with these tasks. It’s because of this loss of beneficial bacteria that we often feel sick or experience side effects from antibiotic usage. Generally, after treatment is complete, these friendly microorganisms return to the intestine. Some however, not so lucky.

We are learning, quite recently that there exists long term, harrowing effects of antibiotics use. The primary being the absolute loss or inability to repopulate friendly bacteria that is essential for our systems. Because broad-spectrum antibiotics holds no prejudice, many of our beneficial bacteria is lost during treatment due to the potency of the substances being administered. Individuals can live their entire lives feeling sickly or unwell, all because an antibiotic they took as a child destroyed essential bacteria in their systems that never recovered thus rendering them void of its potential benefits.

Reversing the Effects of Antibiotics

It’s no surprise that the mark of modern ailments such as digestive problems, skin infections, and nutrition deficiency exist around the same time as the advent and application of antibiotics. While it is in fact a miracle of modern medicine, its overuse and application has led to it becoming the miracle of destruction. Decimating our systems from the inside-out and significantly increasing the development of resistant bacteria. The explosive effects of antibiotics can be suppressed or maybe even reversed if more patients and individuals become more self-aware of its harmful effects and minimize its usage.

Antibiotics should not be seen as a cure-all, it was specifically designed for the killing of harmful bacteria and as such should be used accordingly. Antibiotics should also be the final course of action when an infection is at hand. Our bodies and the beneficial bacteria within our intestine provide powerful anti-microbial properties without the cascading negative effects. We should use our natural resources to our advantage before potentially destroying them completely.

Probiotics are also a great source or solution of beneficial bacteria that either provides the same anti-microbial properties or promotes the growth of bacteria that work in a similar fashion. Available in many different foods and dietary supplements, Probiotics is the healthier and safer alternative to restoring not only digestive health but promoting a strong and hearty immune system. Probiotics are also helpful in deterring the nasty side effects of antibiotics; studies have shown that among 12,000 men and women who took antibiotics along with probiotics were 42% less likely to develop diarrhea. Probiotics also help to stimulate the repopulation of beneficial bacteria that is lost during antibiotic treatment and can also help to balance the onslaught of harmful bacteria that may try to proliferate in the gut.

Always know your options, and recognize your body’s ability to treat itself. The fittest of our civilization have survived deadly plagues, epidemics and infections overr the course of thousands of years and they didn’t have antibiotics to thank for that.

Photo credit cavin @ Creative Commons – http://www.flickr.com/photos/-cavin-/

Filed Under: General

Probiotics for Children: What You Need to Know

August 2, 2013 by Lara Swanson

probiotic-childrenIf you could find a way to help cut down on the number of colds your child has, prevent your baby from getting eczema, ease the symptoms of colic, and help prevent or treat diarrhea and other intestinal ailments, would you give it to your child? Well, the good news is, probiotics may do all that and more when used as a supplement for children. A number of physicians and researchers have weighed in on the subject, including the head of the gastroenterology department at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Dan W. Thomas, M.D., who is the coauthor of American Association of Pediatrics report on probiotics and kids. He recommends checking with your child’s doctor before administering probiotics, but it is important to note that many doctors may be poorly informed about probiotics. Some of Dr. Thomas’ research will appear later in our discussion. [Read more…]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: probiotic benefits, probiotics for children

Probiotics for Women: What You Need to Know

July 31, 2013 by Lara Swanson

Women ProbioticsUrinary tract infections are one of the primary reasons women turn to probiotics, but our report today will explore other applications, including boosting immunity, helping emotions, preventing high blood pressure, and reducing recurrent vaginal infections. Like our recent article on men and probiotics, this article focuses on specific ways that probiotic supplementation can benefit women. If you think probiotics are only included in yogurt for their taste, you will want to read the rest of the story here.

Higher Immunity

While probiotics are commonly thought of to help gastrointestinal issues, they are beneficial for a number of other things as well. In fact, Dr. Julia Chen wrote in the Huffington Post (October 3, 2012) about a patient who came to her for gastrointestinal issues. After supplementing with probiotics, the woman discovered that not only had her original issues been improved, she also suffered from far fewer colds than normal – a tribute to the effectiveness of probiotics to raise immune levels.

Those Crazy Emotions

Guess what, research says that taking probiotics can help improve your mood! No, seriously. Although the connection had previously been demonstrated in rats, the UCLA’s School of Medicine conducted research on women by giving probiotics and conducting MRIs. The results showed that the areas of the brain associated with pain and emotion showed less activity, while decision-making regions demonstrated greater activity. According to researchers, this effect indicates probiotics can improve women’s moods. [Read more…]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: probiotic benefits, probiotic for women

Probiotics for Men: What You Need to Know

July 30, 2013 by Lara Swanson

Reaping the Benefits

probiotics-for-menSo what’s all the hype about probiotics? Are they really good for me? What will I gain if I go to the trouble of including probiotics in my diet? According to Dr. Oz, probiotics can help those who are lactose intolerant, help build the body, reduce cholesterol, and help alleviate gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, excess gas, and constipation. But you do not have to take his word for it, a growing stack of evidence points to many benefits of taking probiotics, including better immunity, lower heart disease risk, and better endurance for athletes. For more specific benefits, check out the topics below.

Yeast Infections

If you think that yeast infections are just a plague for women, think again. Although male yeast infections are much less common than yeast infections, they do happen. According to Dr. Steckelberg at the Mayo Clinic, yeast infections can be spread to men through sexual intercourse. In addition, antibiotic use weakens the immune system and makes men more susceptible to many illnesses, including yeast infections. The use of Lactobillus acidolphilus, one of the more common forms of probiotics, is suggested by the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) to help rebuild the body after antibiotics. According to the UMMC, some research suggests that taking L. acidolphilus may help to prevent yeast infections. [Read more…]

Filed Under: General Tagged With: probiotic benefits, probiotic for men, probiotics

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