Why are PROBIOTICS essential to good health?

BY: DR. MELINA ROBERTS

Our body’s digestive tracts house about 100 trillion bacteria, that is more than 10 times the number of cells that we have in our entire body. Probiotics are the good, healthy bacteria that line your digestive tract. The type and quantity of these micro-organisms in our digestive tracts interact within our body and can directly influence the development of many diseases by either preventing or promoting them. Maintaining an optimal ratio between the “good” and “bad” bacteria in the digestive tract is essential for good health.

Probiotics are essential for optimal digestion of food and absorption of nutrients. Probiotics help our body to produce vitamins, absorb minerals and aid in the elimination of toxins.

Our healthy gut bacteria can easily be pushed out of balance.  Taking antibiotics will kill off problematic bacteria but will also kill off the healthy bacteria.  Consuming sugar, refined grains, processed foods, livestock given antibiotics, chemical-laden agriculture, chlorinated/fluorinated water can all throw off your natural bacterial balance.

Signs that your bacterial flora is out of balance include: gas, bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, sugar cravings, nausea, headaches, fatigue, lowered immunity and depression.

Eighty percent of your immune system is housed in your digestive tract, therefore by supporting digestive health, you will be improving immunity.

Within the cells that line the digestive tract, serotonin is made.  Serotonin travels into the bloodstream and passes the blood brain barrier and directly effects neurotransmitter balance in the brain.  Therefore by supporting digestive health, you will be supporting mood balance.

Therefore, supplementing with high-quality and high-efficacy probiotics are essential for maintaining good health.