Probiotics bacteria help us keep our gut healthy

The term probiotic comes from the Latin words ‘pro’ meaning “forward” and ‘bios’ meaning “life”, thus probiotics promote life, so probiotics are nothing but live bacteria that are good for our health. Most of us think of only one thing when we hear the name bacteria and that is ‘disease’. But this is not true.

Our body is full of bacteria, both good and bad, but the good ones are all probiotics. Whether the bacteria will harm us or protect us, it all depends on the type of bacteria. Probiotics are often called good or helpful bacteria because they help us to keep our gut healthy.

These probiotics build our immune system, reduce inflammation, promote healthy digestion and maintain a beautiful skin; they produce Vitamin B-12, help to cloud out bad bacteria.  There is fairly good evidence that taking higher doses of some probiotics (Lactobacillusrhamnous) while taking antibiotics can prevent children from getting antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.

Probiotics are thought to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, stopping them from producing toxic substances that can make us ill. Some studies have found that certain probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus may help to reduce the symptoms of lactose intolerance, which includes stomach cramps, flatulence and diarrhoea.

A Russian Nobel Prize winner, Elie Metchnikoff, theorised that health could be enhanced and senility delayed by manipulating the intestinal micro biome with host-friendly bacteria found in yogurt. The secret of digestive health is all about balancing out the good and bad bacteria in our gut.  Probiotics are thought to help restore the natural balance of bacteria in out gut.

So consumption of foods rich in probiotics or supplements can actually help us lead a healthy life.  The probiotic bacteria used in commercial products are largely members of the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

You can incorporate probiotics in your routine by eating sour foods, and a high-fibre diet, for example flax seeds, yogurt, etc and traditional Indian food like idli and dosa, kaanji, dhokla and pickles also increase the probiotics in our body. So give it a thought: Does your body shelter a probiotic?