Probiotics

Hi buddies, I AM BACK!  yet, i will only be doing some cut and paste job because i'm very busy dealing with my own health issues.  whenever i see a good article, i will share it with you guys!

Ref:  http://www.greattastenopain.com/nl/09/07_09/082709.asp

Recent Article: August 27, 2009

All the places probiotics are hiding inside you

When there is talk about probiotics, most people usually think of the bacteria in your intestines.
But what most people don't realize is that there are bacteria all along the digestive "road" from your mouth to where the sun don't shine.

I'd like to introduce you to these creatures that inhabit your insides and tell you what they're doing behind the scenes.

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Your mouth
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The good bacteria in your mouth help fight cavities by keeping the bad bacteria Strepococcus mutans under control. They also counter Porphyromonas gingivalis, which are the harmful microbes that can lead to gum disease. 
 
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Your stomach
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Your stomach produces acid that is so strong it can burn a hole in your living room carpet.  Very few microbes can survive in that environment. 

Unfortunately Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of survivors--that's the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers. 

But fortunately, strains of the good bacteria Lactobacillus can also live in the stomach, and help keep the population of H. pylori low (and make you less likely to develop an ulcer).

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Your intestines
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The majority of your beneficial bacteria live in the intestines.  That's why it's said that most of your immune system is in your gut--it literally is, according to the bacteria numbers.

The bacterial population of the large intestine outnumber the small intestine by about 100,000 to 1.  That's because the environment in the small intestine is much more acidic and has a higher concentration of digestive enzymes and antimicrobial chemicals.  Because of the different environments, different types of bacteria live in each of the intestines. 

In the small intestine, the main inhabitants are species of Streptococcus and Lactobacillus.  They help ensure proper digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as protect you from dangerous toxins and pathogens in food. 

In the large intestine (colon), strains of Bifidobacteria are the primary residents.  They crowd out bad bacteria and other pathogens by competing for nutrition and living space on the colon wall.  They produce lactic and acetic acids that create an unfriendly environment for unhealthy bacteria.

And they also make it difficult for invaders like the yeast Candida Albicans to multiply in the intestines and seep through the intestinal barrier.

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"Uranus" (and rectum)
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Bacteria don't really live in your rectum or anus, but lots of them "pass through" in your wastes.  One third of our feces consists of bacteria.  Although most are harmless, when dangerous bacteria are being expelled, they can make you sick if re-ingested. 

That's why it's vitally important to have good hygiene habits including wiping front to back after a bowel movement and washing your hands.  Your body is taking care of your expelling "invaders"--so don't undo its good work with carelessness.

With all this behind the scenes work going on from head to toe, it's easy to see why it's so important to keep your population of good bacteria high.  Unless you eat a variety of fruit and vegetables every single day and prepare your foods and combine then in the right way, it's probably not happening.