Probiotic Benefits: Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are a condition where parts of the urine crystallize and form a stone. These can be incredibly painful and difficult to pass. One risk factor for development of kidney stones is a high level of oxalate in the urine. Studies have shown that probiotic supplements can be used to lower the level of oxalate. Probiotics are able to properly balance the gut flora, and handle the oxalate appropriately.

Probiotic Benefits: Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a condition where adults are unable to effectively digest lactose (milk sugar). Most adults do not continue to produce the lactose digesting enzyme in adulthood. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include increased gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating, taking place after ingesting lactose containing food. Diary products are a good source of calcium however, and there are many products on the market to aid in lactose digestion. The use of probiotic supplements have been found to aid adults in the digestion of milk based products, such as yogurt.

What is Intestinal Flora?

The human body is host to hundreds of thousands of bacteria, most of which is beneficial and helps the body to achieve optimum health. One major role of the friendly bacteria is to assist with digestion of food in the small intestines. These bacteria are known as intestinal flora or friendly flora. Acidophilus supplements aid the body in maintaining a proper balance of this friendly flora, which helps the digestive system work at optimal levels of health.

What are probiotics?

Probiotics is the name given to beneficial microorganisms (bacteria) often taken in supplement form. The most common probiotic is acidophilus, although there are dozens of friendly strains used in probiotic supplements. Probiotics aid in the balance of healthy bacteria in the body, allowing systems, such as the digestive tract, to perform at optimal health.

Quality Probiotic supplements

There is a wide variety of probiotic supplements on the market, and it can be confusing to find high quality supplements. There are a few criteria to look for when choosing a probiotic supplement. Look for products that guarantee the potency of bacteria at the time of use, not the time of production, as the processing can kill of many of the bacteria strains. Cold processed probiotic supplements help ensure the maximum viability of bacteria. Finally, look for a variety of probiotic strands of bacteria, including lactobacillus acidophilus, for the necessary variety of viable, healthy strains.

Probiotic Benefits: Hypertension

Hypertension, also known as elevated blood pressure, affects a significant amount of people in the United States. There are several ways to manage hypertension, including a proper diet and exercise. Studies have shown that the use of probiotic supplements containing lactobacilli may reduce mild hypertension in individuals.

What is Acidophilus?

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a form of friendly bacteria that lives in the small intestines of the digestive system. One of its purposes is to break down food so the body can absorb the nutrients. There are many benefits of using an acidophilus supplement, including aiding in digestion, enhancing the immune system, preventing yeast infection and urinary tract infection, and many have found it helpful in reducing allergy symptoms.