Why Are Probiotics SO Important?

Probiotics have been one of THE most important part of my diet for the last year or so, as it has significantly improved my digestive health as well as my overall health!  How many of you would love to have a flatter belly? ...well, probiotics helps! What about not getting sick with colds and flus even though all those around you are? ...probiotics helps with this too!  Maybe you'd like to have clearer skin or deal with bowel irregularities, or even want to just feel better in general...honestly, probiotics takes care of all these issues!  It's amazing how much sicknesses, diseases and issues begins in the gut!  In Joy Life's contributing Health writer and my nutrition consultant, Loretta Hill, gives us the scoop on Probiotics and why it is so important to our health.  

You may have heard of the  term "probiotics" as it has been advertised on TV a lot lately; and you may have also heard that yogurt has Acidophilus and that it's good for you.  But, what are these "friendly bacterias" good for?

In the 1950's the "miracle medicine" antibiotics was developed and many lives were saved through the use of the antibiotics. So, it was then thought that by the year 2,000 infectious diseases would be gone forever. Unfortunately, today more than 19,000 people die every year from untreatable diseases caused by drug resistant bacterias. You see, antibiotics kills bad and good bacterias so the cascade of imbalance begins from your first dose of antibiotics as a child.

Your Intestinal tract is home to around 100 trillion microorganisms and not all of them are friendly. Some of the most dangerous offenders enter your body through the foods you eat, water you drink and even the air you breathe. Many of these bacterias are mere nuisances but some will make you ill for days or months. The worst can be deadly.

No matter where you live there is no escape. Once dangerous bacterias enter your body, the fight is on. Unfriendly microorganisms come in many guises. Some are easily identified as disease carriers others are chameleons. They can be neutral under certain conditions but like the bacteria Candida Albicans, the inoffensive yeast can turn into a predatory and dangerous fungus.

So what is the solution? There is a guardian called probiotic bacteria meaning "Pro-Life" which may be ingested in supplement form and also in fermented foods. This guardian can help lower cholesterol, fight cancer, ward off ulcers, and protect against food poisoning. It boosts your immune system function by producing its own antibodies that are effective against harmful bacterias, viruses and fungi. It controls the overgrowth of Candida(yeast) and it helps to cancel out environmental toxins you can't avoid. It corrects and prevents many bowel problems including constipation, diarrhea, colitis,and IBS as well as protect urinary tract infections. It works against migraine headaches, rheumatic and arthritic complaints, skin conditions like acne, psoriasis and eczema. Probiotics also participate in the digestive process producing enzymes and some B vitamins and  Serotonin (your feel good neurotransmitter). Adequate Serotonin will alleviate depression and carbohydrate cravings so the benefit for weight loss is substantial.

It may be time for you to do a "Gut Check". Are you feeling inflamed, bloated, have acid reflux, itchy skin or are you catching colds frequently? Probiotics are in order! It's important that you select a probiotic product that is of very high quality or else it's a waste of money. A Refrigerated, live culture, multi-strain supplement  is best. 

Good health truly begins in your digestive tract!  

Loretta Hill

Loretta has been a Personal Trainer and Health Coach for 17 years and is passionate about helping people to have the best health that they can possibly achieve.  Her company's name is Vital Health AZ, where she does weight loss counseling, personal fitness training, and lifestyle coaching.  They also provide a complete line of pharmacy grade supplements and homeopathic remedies.  "I feel that God has blessed me with the ability to advise and guide people; helping them get off medications; achieve their fitness goals; and have an increased sense of well being.  He has shown me so much in the world of integrative health and nutrition, and I love to share it with others."

To order the Probiotics that I use, or to contact Loretta for a free consultation, visit her website:  Vital Health AZ