Did you know that we have more bacteria in our intestinal tracts than we do cells in the entire body? Does that mean we are really more bacteria than we are human? (We'll save that for later...)
As for the 100 trillion bacteria that live in your digestive system, you should know that these are the good guys, not the bad guys. We refer to these nutritive and protective bacteria as friendly flora or probiotics meaning "healthful to life". In fact, they are essential for optimal digestive and general health.
Many of us have used the term Acidophilus but don't really know what or where that is in our bodies. Acidophilus is one species of the bacteria called Lactobacillus which is one of two primary groups of positive flora in the digestive tract. The other major group of probiotics is Bifidobacteria. Whereas Lactobacillus is found primarily in the small intestine of the upper digestive tract, Bifidobacteria are found primarily in the colon. Both of these groups of probiotics must be ample in number in order to keep less favorable organisms like yeast in check.
Friendly flora promote better digestion, help fight infection, make B vitamins, improve mineral absorption, reduce inflammation and can help normalize diarrhea or constipation. Antibiotic use, stress, food or water contaminants and low fiber diets can disrupt intestinal probiotics as can increased sugar and alcohol consumption.
So how do we improve beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract? Most everyone knows about yogurt being a great source of Acidophilus, however there are other cultured and fermented foods which are also excellent sources of probiotics. Try cultured foods like sauerkraut, cottage cheese, kefir, miso or kimchi. Drinks loaded with friendly bacteria are Amasake, a sweet rice drink and the ever popular Kombucha. Probiotics are available as a supplement and there are many different brands out there. Sheila recommends using probiotic supplements from several brands, alternating them throughout the week. That way you are receiving a broad spectrum of different species grown in different media. You can actually discover whether certain brands suit you better than others. Remember to include a brand that does not require refrigeration for when you are traveling and to use a dairy free brand if you are dairy intolerant.
Where to Buy Kefir Online - Can I Order Kefir Grains Over Internet
Kefir is a simple drink that is made from the fermentation of sugar solution from many products including rice, water, sugar solution, milk, coconut and many others. You will need to inject bacteria and yeast in the solution, leave it for a few days and it will be ready to drink.Kefir and Its Benefits
On my search to find products that aid with food allergies, I discovered a product call Kefir that is a Probiotic. Fermented from live kefir grains, Kefir milk contains bacteria and yeasts composed of lipids, proteins and sugars. The Kefir grains work to break down the sugar in milk, which makes this milk more tolerable for those who are sensitive to lactose.Kefir Grains - Kefir Health Benefits
In 1908, Metchnikov wrote in his book "The extension of life" that the secret of longevity found in the Russian Caucasus Mountains was Kefir. Kefir is actually cultured milk that people made and consumed. The villagers of the Caucasus Mountains gave us the Caucasian yoghurt and kefir (milk fermentation product).