Take Lactobacillus Acidophillus for example.This Microscopic life form is commonly found in Yogurt,Kerfir,and a few fermented foods.

Acidophilus,along with roughly 400 other related strains(such as:Lactobacillus Bifidus,Lactobacillus Bulgaricus)-fall into a category of "Pro-biotic".That is a technical way of saying that it is "Good" "Friendly" or "Health-enhancing".

The Human body is home to billions of "Friendly" bacteria.In turn these tiny friends work hard to help our IMMUNE SYSTEMS ward off viruses and diseases.They also play a roll in creating B-vitamins and certain enzymes.In order to do this ,the "Good" bacteria set up colonies in the INTESTINAL TRACT,where they also aide digestion.

When Probiotic levels are high,nutrients from food and supplements are effectively absorbed and distributed through-out the body.BUT, if the levels of 'Good" bacteria drop,the DIGESTIVE SYSTEM SUFFERS,ALONG WITH THE PERSON IT BELONGS TO. In-ability to absorb nutrients can lead to BLOATING, CANDIDA,(A YEAST INFECTION),DIARRHEA,OR CONSTIPATION,(CAN GO EIGHTER WAY,DEPENDING ON THE PERSON),ALLERGIES,SKIN CONDITIONS,AND A HOST OF OTHER PROBLEMS.

If left untreated,a condition called DYBIOSIS,or IMBALANCE,sets in bringing with it the potential for MAJOR DEFICIENCIES IN ESSENTIAL VITAMINS AND OTHER NUTRIENTS.Prolonged shortages of these substances,raises the risk of developing much more serious ailments,such as,INFLAMMATORY DISEASES,(ARTHRITIS),IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME,ULCERS,COLITIS,DIABETES, ASTHMA,ALLERGIES,AND EVEN CANCER.

Unfortunately,the ENEMIES OF "GOOD"BACTERIA ARE EVERYWHERE:  Birth control pills, aspirin, other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, alcohol, smoking, BROAD-SPECTRUM ANTIBIOTICS, "STRESS",and last, but NOT LEAST, THE OVER-PROCESSED,HIGH-FAT,HIGH SUGAR CONTENT OF THE STANDARD AMERICAN DIET CAN and DO, all take their toll on populations of "Good" Bacteria.

Although "Allopathic" or "Conventional" medicine has been slow to embrace nutritional remedies like "PRO-BIOTICS"(FRIENDLY OR GOOD BACTERIA),Science is making a convincing case for the abilities of our FRIENDLY FLORA. Researchers from Finland,France,and Germany have presented studies supporting the benefits of PRO-BIOTICS.They concluded that PRO-BIOTICS STRENGTHEN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AS WELL AS STABILIZE THE INTESTINES, making PROBIOTICS A GOOD CHOICE FOR TREATING PROBLEMS SUCH AS: ALLERGIES, LACTOSE INTOLERANCE, DIARRHEA, CONSTIPATION, INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE, IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME, AND ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS.They also concluded that the use of PROBIOTICS inhibit several key steps involved in the developement of COLON CANCER.
Nutrition Experts in Denmark found that "Good" bacteria also LOWERS CHOLESTEROL LEVELS.

STANDARD ANTIBIOTICS KILL THE HEALTHY FLORA IN YOUR GUT,so if you have recently completed a course of Antibiotic therapy,you need to take one to two PROBIOTIC caps,three times a day,for atleast one month, to restore your healthy bacteria.If you are currently taking Antibiotics,take PROBIOTIC Supplements two hours before or after the medication.Probiotics may be weakened by the HYDROCHLORIC ACID in your stomach.To avoid that,be sure to get an ENTERIC-COATED product, designed to survive the digestive process.

When using Probiotics, be PATIENT,not everbody experiences immediate relief.Usually within two to four weeks time you will experience improvement,however,IN SEVERE CASES,IT MAY TAKE UP TO THREE MONTHS BEFORE IMPROVEMENT IS NOTICED.The improvements you will notice will be: less Gas, less Bloating, Allergies and Rashes greatly diminished, chronic stomach and bowel problems greatly improved, and in many cases improved energy and stamina levels. In some severe cases,you should stay on Probiotics indefinately.

Going right along with Probiotics,comes "PREBOITICS".PREBIOTICS ARE INDIGESTIBLE FORMS OF COMPLEX CARBOHYDRATES THAT SERVE AS FOOD FOR PROBIOTICS.Studies have shown that adding "FOS"(Fructoligosacchaedes),also known as "PREBIOTICS",to a PROBIOTIC regimen allows "Friendly" bacteria populations to thrive,grow,and decrease the numbers of "Bad" bacteria.

Prebiotics can be found in plants like the JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE,TOMATOES,BANANAS,GARLIC,BARLEY,AND WHEAT.If taking a supplement,a daily dose of 2,000 mg. is the recommended dose for persons with Vaginal Yeast Infections or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.For other conditions,contact your local Health Care Provider(hopefully someone who practises or (Co-practises with),Natural Medicine.
If you don't know of any Alternative/Natural Healing Practioners in your area,call or e-mail me.I will be glad to help.

Please scan below for more important info on Gastrointestinal Health.

A hundred million "NEUROTRANSMITTERS" line the length of the Gut,approx. the same amount found in the Human Brain.So wide ranging is the impact of our Gut on Human health that each of the following conditions may be caused by "INTESTINAL TOXEMIA": ALLERGIES,ASTHMA,ARTHRITIS,CARDIAC ARRYTHMIAS,EAR,NOSE AND THROAT PROBLEMS AND INFECTIONS,BREAST AND COLON CANCER,AND DIABETES.

The Gut also plays a major role in vitalizing blood oxygenation,red blood cell counts,mental agility,and memorization.

The first order of human "Detoxification" must be to correct underlying imbalances between "Friendly" bacteria and "Pathogenic" or "Bad" bacteria.