The human body has around a quadrillion different organisms living in the gut. This bacteria is beneficial to human beings for many reasons. They help the immune system develop, produce vitamins the host itself can’t produce, they prevent harmful bacteria from growing, control the maturity of the intestines, produce hormones, and perform many other functions. While people can survive without it, balancing intestinal microflora is extremely important in maintaining health and well being.

Taking some medications, having stress, and eating poorly, are some causes of imbalances in gut flora. Also some diseases can cause microfloral imbalance. Imbalance often results in problems with immunity, dealing with allergies, and metabolic functions.

Not to mention the fact that some diseases which affect the microflora are obtained from food. Food can be contaminated by cross or even direct contamination. One example of this is with E.coli. It is found in the gut and some bacteria leave when defecating. If one’s hand winds up contaminated with E.coli and they don’t wash, then upon eating the bacteria will be ingested.

Contamination is possible through improper handling and storage of food. If it is prepared or stored improperly, it can lead to various diseases. One extremely serious disease possible is Botulism. Made by Clostridium botulinum, it can be the origin of paralysis beginning at the face, which eventually winds up in the lungs and respiratory failure is inevitable

Recently food products have been the focus when trying to balance the intestinal flora. Specifically probiotic supplementation. Probiotics are microorganisms that benefit the host. Some commonly consumed probiotics include yogurt, soy yogurt, and dietary supplements.

Probiotics have been suggested to not only lower blood pressure and cholesterol, but also improve immunity, help irritable bowel syndrome, decrease the problems of irritable bowel syndrome, among other things. What has been found is that probiotics help in balancing intestinal microflora and therefore diminishing a great number of conditions and their symptoms. In the future, there will be a lot more known about this budding area of research.

Please visit our website if you would like to learn more about balancing your intestinal microflora with probiotics in consortia

Tags: Nutrition

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