The digestive system is home to more than 500 different bacterial species. They help keep intestinal linings healthy and assist in breaking down food. Beneficial organisms are also believed to help regulate
healthy immune response.
Digestive disorders can result when the balance of friendly bacteria in the intestines becomes disturbed. Probiotics can improve intestinal function and maintain the integrity of the lining of the intestines.
Probiotics also support immunity, so immunity can become compromised with an imbalance of bacteria. There has been an increase in autoimmune and allergic diseases and this may be because the immune system isn’t being properly challenged by pathogenic organisms. Introducing friendly bacteria in the form of probiotics is believed to challenge the immune system in healthy ways.
This balance can be easily disrupted by factors such as –
• Stress
• Medication (eg antibiotics)
• Travelling
• Additives & Preservatives
• High sugar levels
• Ageing
Conditions such as low energy levels, constipation or diarrhoea, IBS, food intolerances, skin problems, poor immunity and bloating have all been associated with poor bacteria balance.
Probiotics may also be useful in unexpected ways as they have been shown to decrease the risk of common childhood problems such as ear infections, strep throat and colds.