Sunday, February 1, 2009

Does Your Probiotic Work?

By Waldmar Jones

Are you taking a probiotic formula to help boost your digestive health? Have you really experienced a noticeable change for the better? Can you really say you are prone to heartburn and acid overrun? If the answer is no you may be taking the wrong strains or strains that are so weak and ineffective.

Lets review your digestive system. The lower stomach, small and large intestines contain healthy amounts of friendly bacteria called probiotics. An unhealthy digestive system has much lower levels of friendly bacteria and higher levels of unfriendly bacteria that cause many common digestive problems.

The friendly bacteria is essential for your overall health. First of all, they help break down the food you eat so that your body can absorb the nutrients. Second, they actually help your body create B Vitamins and digestive enzymes. Third they crowd out harmful bacteria like e coli and salmonella so they cant proliferate and do harm.

Thats why supplementing with a probiotic formula is important as you get older. But it is important to pick one that gives you excellent results. It is important to have the correct species and the correct strains. It should contain a balance of both major species, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria. It also should contain multiple strains of each of these species.

Read the labels, and youll see many of the supplements out there contain only one or two strains. When you see a formula that combines this many strains you know it is superior. Lactobacillus harnesses Bifidobacterium bifidum Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus casei Lactobacillus plantarum Lactobacillus salivarius Bifidobacterium longum Streptococccus thermophilus Lactobacillus bulgaricus Lactobacillus paracasei Bifidobacterium infantis

Also look at the labels and make sure they do not contain chemical additives, corn, gluten, MSG, pesticides, soy, fillers or artificial favors. - 16004

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