Probiotics...
our friendly micro flora.

Probiotics – beneficial, live microorganisms also used as dietary supplements.

Our intestinal tract is lined with over 400 species of friendly microorganisms. There is a delicate balance between the host and the intestinal bacteria where most are present in the colon.

The positive role probiotics play was first observed by Russian scientist and Nobel prize laureate Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov, who thought it might be possible to modify bacteria in our intestinal tract by replacing bad microorganisms with good.

Research has shown that probiotics can help re-populate the gastrointestinal tract with healthy bacteria and are beneficial for improving the balance of the intestinal flora.

Why are these microorganisms important for us?

• Supports proper digestion
• The microflora helps break down food into easily absorbed nutrients
• Produce and degrade vitamins
• Help the body digest dairy products
• Break down dietary toxins
• Maintain the growth of friendly bacteria
• Strengthen our intestinal defenses and protect our bodies from unwanted invaders like disease-producing organisms
• Increase resistance to infection
• Prevent food poisoning bacteria, Salmonella and E-coli from attaching to intestinal cells

• Support the cardiovascular system and blood pressure
• Iron-chelating abilities
• Enhance the respiratory system
• Protect the urinary and female reproductive tracts
• Prevents the onset of atopic and food allergy-related dermatitis (an inflammatory skin disorder causing an itchy rash, redness, lesions that become scaly, crusted or hardened)
• Decreasing serum cholesterol and ox Luria
• Prevents excess calcium oxalate in the urine which contributes to the formation of kidney stones
• Can help with inflammation of the colon, colitis, irritable bowel, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, reduce colon tumor development, reduce flatulence and pain
• Can minimize surgical complications

What interferes with the beneficial role of the important microorganisms?

• Stress
• Environmental conditions
• Aging
• Disease
• Use of certain substances
• Alcohol consumption
• Some Foods
• Poor diet
• Prolonged cleansing, colonics and enemas
• Diarrhea
• Use of antacids and laxatives
• Oral contraceptives
• Antibiotics, we use antibiotics to kill bad bacteria that has taken over but it also kills the good that helps us fight off invaders, so we lose the good bacteria that helps us. This hurts our intestinal and immune systems

Nature’s Sunshine products with probiotics...

• L. Acidophilus- has 100 million microorganisms to help re-populate and regulate the intestinal tract. L. Acidophilus is good for vegetarians and those who cannot tolerate dairy products which are the primary dietary source of this microorganism. They help in the production and stimulate enzymes which enhances more efficient assimilation of nutrients. Also produces acidophilin, a natural antibiotic substance called lactase, the enzyme that is responsible for digesting lactose (a milk sugar).

  Acidophilus produces B1, B2, biotin, folic acid, vitamin K and the most plentiful source of B12. This is essential for blood clotting and the production of osteocalcin, the primary protein component of bone. They protect the intestinal mucosa, prevent constipation and diarrhea, enhance bowel elimination, helps digestion. Assists in metabolizing calcium, provides essential nutrients for building the blood, controls the buildup of serum cholesterol and stimulates the body’s immune system by assisting white blood cells in fighting disease-causing pathogens.

  Inhibits the overgrowth of Candida albicans and the coli form bacteria which causes flatulence and putrification in the colon. Helps to prevent the formation of carcinogenic growths in the intestinal tract. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association had women use L. Acidophilus for treatment of urinary tract infections and they experienced 79% fewer urinary tract infections than during the previous year. Can help anemia since acidophilus has a plentiful source of B12 which is essential for proper utilization of iron in the body.

  Dr. John Parks Trowbridge, author of The Yeast Syndrome, is an advocate of probiotic supplementation in the fight against Candida albicans overgrowth.

• L. Reuteri (does not need to be refrigerated like the others) Lactobacillus reuteri is naturally found in the intestinal flora of humans and animals. It strengthens the body’s natural defenses and maintains equilibrium in the gastrointestinal tract while helping other friendly strains populate the gut.

  L. Reuteri is especially helpful in relieving occasional gastrointestinal distress such as diarrhea.This one is in a chewable tablet that does not require refrigeration and is safe for both adults and children. Convenient for traveling.

• Probiotic Eleven Replenishes intestinal tract with 11 healthful probiotics to support digestion, promote immunity and aid in the natural elimination of toxins. Can help regulate intestinal processes, improve growth of friendly bacteria which enhances mineral absorption and soothe the digestive tract. The microflora can greatly improve colon function.

  For those who experience a regularly sluggish bowel, an imbalance of yeast, lactose intolerance and other minor concerns of the gastrointestinal tract such as diarrhea. You should consider using Probiotic Eleven after a colon cleanse and antibiotic use. Each capsule provides 6 billion beneficial microorganisms.

• Bifidophilus Flora Force Provides billions of beneficial intestinal microorganisms for a more complete probiotic formula that offers a whole range of health benefits. Bifidophilus Flora Force is for maintaining a healthy balance of friendly flora in the intestinal tract, protects against harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi, promotes female health, added immune system support and to help synthesize B vitamins.

These products are good to have when you go out to eat, when you travel, have taken antibiotics, have diarrhea.

Stoneyfield Farm yogurt is another way I get my probiotics

We are starting to see products with probiotics added to them in our stores. They are advertising probiotics for weight loss and a healthier digestive system.

You can see how important probiotics are for our health. I think most of us do not have a good balance of our friendly micro flora because of our diet and the all to common heavy use of prescription drugs today.

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