About probiotics  The modern diet The modern diet is usually extremely high in calories and is known for substituting nutrients and vitamins that your body needs in order to function adequately, with sugar and unhealthy fats. A diet that is calorie-dense yet nutrient-poor is inclined, in turn, to have an unfavourable influence on the state of our health and well-being (particularly our digestive health). The outcome is the rather unusual scenario where we are overfed, yet undernourished. Regrettably, the massive popularity of processed and “junk” foods has eliminated many of the healthy fats from the average diet. As an example, it tends to be lacking in Omega 3 oils. This deficiency has been linked to inflammation-related conditions such as asthma, psoriasis, Alzheimer's and ADHD. Supplementing a nutrient-deficient diet with Omega 3 oils is believed by many people in the health sector to help to redress this imbalance. The modern diet also places a tremendous strain on our bodies’ detoxification systems (not least as a result of the ever-growing selection of chemical substances used to cultivate and preserve foods). Primarily, it is unfavourable to the digestive system - nutritional medicine places a great deal of emphasis on the fitness of the digestive tract, where we take up nutrients and excrete toxins, with regards to our overall health and well-being. Human beings weren't designed to ingest many of the foods (and substances) present in the modern Western diet. Consequently, many people are adopting alternative lifestyles (such as vegetarianism, veganism and living and raw food diets) to avoid some of the medical conditions thought to be attributable to the modern diet. The ancient diet It is believed that human beings have evolved over approximately 4 million years. For the the greater part of that period, our ancestors consumed raw and living foods. It's only relatively recently that people have begun to cook their food. Studies of other mammals in their natural habitat do not reveal any significant occurrences of the many illnesses that now pervade the human race. For example, conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke, obesity and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are not very common. As a result of the issues associated with the modern diet and mentioned above, probiotic bacteria supplements are rapidly growing in popularity in the Western world. However, they have been used by other cultures for years. For example, as far back as ancient Greece. In the present day, many cultures (such as the Japanese) are known to promote health through diet, and certain foods have been universally accepted to produce beneficial results. For instance, Kefir, a Turkish word meaning "good feeling," is a fermented milk drink. What are probiotics? Probiotics are live micro-organisms (in most cases, bacteria although sometimes yeast) that are similar to beneficial micro-organisms found in the human gut. They are also called "friendly bacteria" or "good bacteria”. These are, of course, not the same strains of bacteria that are associated with infections or disease. In fact, probiotics are most often used to promote digestive system health. You may also have heard of prebiotics, which are non-digestible substances that stimulate the growth of probiotics and help them thrive. What are the potential benefits of probiotics? It is widely believed by nutritionists that probiotics are vital for digestion, because they can help to maintain the balance of organisms in the intestines. As a result, they are increasingly used in the treatment of diarrheal diseases. For example, Lactobacillus GG, a bacterium, was found to be effective in reducing the recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection and relieving the symptoms of abdominal cramps and diarrhea that often accompany this infection. Probiotics are thought to support digestion by, for instance, breaking foods down into their component parts for complete absorption into the body. It is believed that they act to crowd out pathogenic bacteria and prevent infections and can therefore also support the immune system. The modern diet is like a feast for candida (a fungus that, if overgrown, can cause infections in the body), since it is a yeast that needs sugar to thrive and multiply (including sugar itself, foods containing sugar and also anything that converts to sugar). The modern diet is so laden with chemicals, additives and preservatives that many people find that colon cleansing is a necessity. Where to get probiotics Probiotics are available in the form of foods and, where higher concentrations are required, in health supplements. In food form, probiotics can be found in yoghurts, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh and some juices and soy beverages. Of course, if you have a dairy allergy or just want to avoid dairy, these foods may not be appropriate. In this case, you could instead choose dairy-free probiotic health supplements. * Before changing your diet or taking health supplements, it is recommended to consult your doctor or qualified health practitioner (particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medications).  © Specialist Supplements Ltd 2011  0845 094 3627 [Allergy] [Bad Breath] [Bloating] [Colitis] [Constipation] [Crohn’s Disease] [Diarrhea] [Diverticulitis] [Flatulence] [Halitosis] [Irritable Bowel Syndrome] [IBS] [Indigestion] [Leaky Gut Syndrome] [ibsdiarrhea.hypermart.net/1] [Lactobacillus acidophilus and Plantarum probiotic bacterium] [Probiotic Bacteria] [HTML Sitemap] [Diets and Health Information] [Natural Menopause Herbs] [Weight Loss Pages] [Probiotic and Herbal Supplements] [ibsdiarrhea.hypermart.net/2]   Your health is your responsibility Suppliers of probiotic bacteria supplements Suppliers of probiotic bacteria supplements This is an information site only! 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