http://www.foodism.com/index.php/artisinal-foods/656-boosting-our-benefi...
Written by Claude Deville
The largest immune system organ in our bodies is our intestines. It has been said that there are more bacteria in our digestive system than cells in our entire body.
The colon alone contains trillions of bacterial cells. Traditionally, people that have consumed large quantities of probiotic-containing foods have had especially long life spans. In fact, the word “probiotic” literally means “for life”. Unfortunately, most of us no longer have a diet or lifestyle that helps sustain large numbers of these important bacteria in our bodies.
Probiotics work directly in our intestines to help digest food and purge waste. A diet of processed, over-refined, or sterilized foods can destroy the natural balance of healthy flora in our intestines. Even when eating a so-called healthy diet, our body's flora is bombarded with chemicals, pesticides, and antibiotics. Studies have shown that over time, the body becomes less efficient at digesting food and maintaining high levels of probiotics in the intestines.
Natural and fermented foods high in Prodiotics can be highly beneficial to boosting the the vital beneficial bacteria in our intestines. For those raised with traditional Western medical modes of thinking, bacteria is a dirty word. But while some bacteria cause disease, others, if nourished properly, can go a long way toward preventing it.
By the time we are four days old, our digestive systems are loaded with bacteria.Because the stomach is highly acidic, most bacteria make their home in the small and large intestines, and the real probiotical population center is the colon itself.
Under normal circumstances, bacteria in the digestive system live in a state of balance and harmony, but a bad diet, antibiotics, and certain western medicines can throw the delicate probiotic balance off and lead to a host of difficulties. Proper protection and nourishment of our healthy bacteria is the answer.
Fiber helps probiotics to thrive, and the increased presence of probiotics can help prevent or decrease food sensitivities resulting from "leaky gut" syndrome", which occurs when partially-digested food particles (along with toxic molecules and disease-causing bacteria) are allowed to pass through damaged intestinal lining. Many reactions that are initially thought to be incurable food allergies are actually food sensitivities.
Treatment for this type of syndrome includes a full regimen of probiotics, along with enzymes and amino acids that will work to rebuild the weak intestinal walls. Proactive probiotic supplements and dietary improvements can resolve the issue along with the creation of a low-fat, high-fiber, low-stress, high-exercise lifestyle.
Improved liver function is another benefit linked to probiotic intake, since the liver has fewer toxins to deal with if the probiotics are working. Another gain is the reduction of serum cholesterol, because probiotics convert cholesterol into a less absorbable and more eliminatable form. Other benefits include lowered blood pressure and normalized hormone levels.
The most immediate and widely available way to ingest probiotics is through naturally fermented and probiotic rich foods and drinks or cultured milk products such as yogurt or kefir. KeVita™ a powerful new probiotic drink which contains various strains of dairy and lactose free probiotics originating from kefir derived cultures is very effective as well as traditional Kombucha, or tea kvass, which also contains probiotics.
