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Probiotics - The Bacteria that Can Make You Healthier!
Why would I want to put bacteria IN my body?
Overall, people in general spend a lot of time trying to keep bacteria away from their bodies, and for good reason too, since most of us learned from a very young age that bacteria can cause infections.
What you might not realize, however, is that inviting some in - the friendly kind called "probiotics" - is one of the absolutely best ways to protect your overall health, guard against stomach upset and prevent infections.
Prevent infections by boosting your immune system
Probiotics can cut your risk of viral infections, such as colds, in half and, in addition, help you bounce back much faster if you do happen to become ill.
Since your digestive tract is where half of the infection fighting immune cells are produced, it needs to be lined with healthy probiotic bacteria in order to do its job properly.
Can I get probiotics without taking a supplement?
Yogurt that's labeled as having "live and active cultures" contains probiotics. Probiotics, actually help turn milk into yogurt. The yogurt's label may tell which bacteria is included - some of the more likely names it will be listed under are Lactobacillus or Bifidus regularis.
If a yogurt is labeled as "heat treated" it most likely does not contain probiotic, or active cultures. and therefore the suggestion of most doctors is to eat yogurt that contains only milk and live cultures and no other filler ingredients or sugar.
Yogurt can make a delicious treat!
Protect your heart by lowering fats in your blood system
Probiotics help to block the absorption of cholesterol into the digestive tract and therefore improves the functioning of the liver by reducing the amount of artery-clogging fats it produces. Regular use of probiotics can cut triglyceride levels by almost 20 percent!
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Other benefits of taking probiotics...
There are studies that suggest that probiotics are instrumental in cutting flare-ups of skin conditions such as allergies and eczema by as much as 50% by jumpstarting it's production of anti-inflammatory compounds contained naturally in the body.