Health Benefits of Yogurt

Health benefits of yogurt

My intent here is to help inform people about health information so they may improve there health and lives.

I am by no means a professional writer or specialist in the health field,

just some one who has had a passion for the subject for over 30 years,

I can see the benefits of supplements and watching what we eat to improve our life style

and I enjoy trying to help others,

I will not take credit for the articles and don't have a problem with adding the authors of them

so I hope you don't either, Hub pages, please if you do just let me know...

Click here for 5 pages of health info. with the Web MD site

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/benefits-yogurt

Death Begins in the Colon

http://www.colonicsbykathy.com/hydrotherapy/colon-health/death-begins-in-the-colon.html

More great reading

Health benefits of yogurt

Dr. Charles Suber

Morganton News Herald

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Many years ago the Nobel-Prize-winning Russian scientist Elie Metchnikoff f

irst suggested that a long life was the result of eating large amounts of fermented milk products.

He believed that the microorganisms fermented the milk and reduced toxic effects from the existing colon microflora.

He also thought that the lactic acid microbes of fermentation could positively affect the harmful microbes of the gut.

Although not the most pleasant topic to discuss, the importance of intestinal bacteria is paramount

when discussing anti-aging and overall health in general.

There are hundreds and perhaps even thousands of bacterial species present,

with some having beneficial effects and others having harmful effects.

A proper balance between the two needs to be maintained for adequate health

and is essential in an anti-aging program.

One of the strategies in the anti-aging plan is to reduce the intestinal pathogenic bacteria

and increase the beneficial intestinal bacteria.

It is thought that the "good" bacteria (from fermented milk products)

will "fight" with the harmful bacteria in the gut,

leading to improved health and wellness.

Yogurt is a nutrient dense food that is created from the fermentation of regular milk,

skim milk, sour cream, whey or cottage cheese.

Typically, it is made from cow's milk and generally homogenized and pasteurized.

When bacteria are added to milk, it grows and causes fermentation, which allows the milk to thicken.

The lactic acid fermentation is due to the presence of Lactobacillus bulgaricus,

Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium.

These species are used to make yogurt because of their ability to survive the acidity of the stomach,

reach the intestine alive and then multiply.

Yogurt is a food that contains many beneficial nutrients.

Normally, the bacteria mentioned above break down dietary carbohydrates and synthesize water-soluble vitamins

such as the B vitamins including niacin, pyridoxin, cobalamin and folic acid.

It also contains good amounts of high quality protein and calcium.

The calcium in yogurt is in the form of calcium lactate, whereas milk contains calcium caseinate.

The lactate form appears to be more available for absorption.

Although yogurt originates from milk, it has less lactose and vitamins B-6 and B-12 but greater amounts of peptides,

free amino acids, free fatty acids, folic acid and choline.

Most people have difficulty digesting lactose, (lactose intolerant), which can cause intestinal problems such as gas,

diarrhea, bloating and pain.

Since yogurt contains less sugar than milk, it is more easily digested than other dairy products.

I have found many patients and clients who cannot eat dairy products

are able to consume yogurt on an almost daily basis with no difficulty.

In addition, the fermentation process causes biochemical changes to the fat that is present in the milk.

One fatty acid found in milk is called conjugated linoleic acid.

The fermentation process causes yogurt to actually have a higher amount of conjugated linoleic acid

than the original milk.

The importance of this is that conjugated linoleic acid appears to be able to stimulate the immune system

and prevent cancer formation.

The general definition of a probiotic is a supplement that contains live bacterial cultures,

which is beneficial for the person taking them.

Probiotics improve the balance of bacteria in the intestine.

The most common food source of probiotics is from milk-based foods (such as yogurt)

that contain bacteria that are added.

Probiotics can also be taken in supplement form in either a tablet or powder.

Some pathogenic bacteria include escherichia coli (E. coli) and salmonella typhimurium,

which can release destructive toxins.

Once these toxins are released in the intestine, inflammation will occur in the lining of your intestinal tract.

The bacteria L. acidophilus is a strain of the lactobacillus family that reduces the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

Bifidobacteria is another family of bacteria that is also found in some types of yogurts

and is considered a type of beneficial bacteria.

It also has a positive effect on the pathogenic bacteria in your intestines.

Think of the intestine as an entry point into your body.

The importance of the bacteria in the intestine is that they can act as a barrier to the outside world.

The intestines are exposed to the environment and, therefore,

the balance of organisms that live there are affected by what we eat.

The colonic microflora normally act as a barrier to invading organisms,

but when there is an imbalance created in the gut, the pathogenic microflora can thrive.

If these organisms thrive and dominate potential toxins such as pesticides,

carcinogens, and heavy metals can be absorbed.

Obviously this can lead to illness and disease.

What this demonstrates is that what we eat can have an effect on the bacterial population

living in our intestines and thus our intestinal health.

In my opinion, an improper balance of bacteria living in the intestine is one of the most important

and usually overlooked concepts for anti-aging and the prevention of disease and illness.

A dominance of pathogenic bacteria can be caused by many different factors.

These include stress, illness, a weak immune system, antibiotic treatment,

changes in diet or changes in the tissue of the gut itself.

Even old age can cause a harmful imbalance to occur.

Therefore, changes in diet and lifestyle can affect the bacterial population in the intestine

and affect health and well-being.

Once these harmful bacteria grow and colonize, they can release toxins and cause intestinal disease.

By giving the body a source of beneficial bacteria,

such as Lactobacillus acidophilus (in either yogurt or pill form),

the body can restore balance and fight the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

Antibiotics and other medications can alter the balance between beneficial and pathogenic bacteria.

Using antibiotics for extended periods of time can reduce the beneficial bacteria in your intestine,

leaving the pathogenic bacteria to grow.

Therefore, if you are taking antibiotics,

I recommend consuming yogurt on a regular basis to ensure normal balance of the intestinal bacterial population.

Supplementation may also be needed. Yogurt is a great addition to any anti-aging plan.

I hope that you can find a way to incorporate it into your diet, and reap the benefits of it.

Until next time, all the best, in health and life.

Dr. Charles Suber is a local chiropractor. He may be reached at 433-7611 or Drsuber.com.

This article offers general dietary guidelines and is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Please consult with your doctor before making any changes in your diet.