Health and Fitness

Probiotics (PRO-life means "for life") as defined by WHO are "live micro-organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer health benefits on the host." More than 50% people in our country are prey to digestive disorders.. lets see how this healthy bacteria can help us!

How do probiotics work?
Most live bacteria that are ingested die when they reach the acid conditions of the stomach. For a beneficial bacterium to be classified as a probiotic it must be resistant to gastric, bile and pancreatic juices to reach the colon alive. The probiotics attach to the wall of the intestine where they increase the number of beneficial bacteria and fight against harmful bacteria thus maintaining a balance between the beneficial and harmful bacteria.

Benefits:

1. Protects stomach: Probiotics protect stomach from variety of ills caused by stress, irregular eating habits, indiscriminate use of antibiotics, bad food and pollution.
2. Boost immunity: They increase the secretion of immunoglobulin, a disease-fighting immune enzyme found in the intestines. This helps the body fight illness.
3. Up availability of nutrients: Offending bacteria in the intestines damage the intestinal mucous membrane and hence reduce the total absorbable area of the intestines. Probiotics keep these bacteria away so that the mucous membrane remains intact and the nutrients continue to be absorbed by the body. Also they protect vitamins from getting destroyed in the intestinal tract by acids of the gut.
4. Reduce lactose intolerance: After an illness the gut is unable to breakdown and digest lactic products. Probiotics control the post-infective damage and reduce lactose intolerance.
5. Speed recovery from acute diarrohoea: After an attack of diarrhoea, the intestine's mucous membranes gets severely damaged. Antibiotics taken during the treatment destroy the good bacteria responsible for regenerating the membrane. Probiotics protect and increase the number of good bacteria. This regenerates the mucous membrane and puts you back on track.
6. vaginal infections: Two lactobacillus strains (L.reuteri and L.rhamnosus) can help control vaginal infections.

Two most common strains:

• Lactobacilli
• Bifidobacteria

foods which contain probiotics

• Yogurt (dahi)
• buttermilk
• kefir
• kimchi
• idlis (indian receipe)
• Dhoklas (indian receipe)
• miso
• tempeh
• pickles
• garlic and onions
• sauerkraut
• Other fermented foods