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Probiotics : Understanding How It Works in Maintaining Gut Health

by Carey Lise

While there are talks about the impending ban of antibiotics as drug medication for animals, the ban is largely based on findings about weakened immune systems. Apparently such cases have been found as also true in humans, which is why a new science has emerged, delving mostly in probiotics or the use of bacterial spore-formers.

In agriculture and aquaculture, probiotic applications as alternatives to antibiotics have been proven as largely successful. Currently, as far as human health is concerned, commercially developed probiotics are still being marketed as food or dietary supplements and not as alternatives to antibiotics.

According to medical studies, the difficulties encountered in developing new vaccines were largely due to failures in identifying new antibiotics. Yet Instead of focusing on developing antibiotics to help the immune system destroy viruses attacking major organs, the field of probiotics found it compelling to develop probiotics instead.

What Exactly is Probiotics?

First off, the term biotics refers to living organisms that take shape and form as fungi in freshwater ecological systems inhabited by fish, aquatic plants, algae and amphibians. Included among the fungi are spores that serve as seeds that later germinate and grow in plants while thriving in agreeable environments.

Some form edible mushrooms while others are living organisms with reproductive capabilities and ability to produce biotic energy that other living organisms find useful as food sources. Some take the form of ferns, bacteria, molds and moss existing in various ecosystems.

Currently, the field of probiotics focuses mainly in developing probiotic products using bacterial spore-formers, particularly the genus Bacillus. The products developed are in spore forms that have exhibited capabilities to produce metabolites, enzymes and natural antibiotics useful in fighting microorganisms that cause gastrointestinal disorders.

However, understanding the use and applications of Bacillus and their probiotic effects is quite complex. It requires a deeper understanding of microbial interactions taking place inside the gastrointestinal tract.

Generally, the usefulness of Bacillus species as probiotic factors have been considered because they are microorganisms that are native to microflora commonly found in food matrices in varying locations. Also called allochthonous microorganisms, they have shown beneficial use in food fermentations as culture starters.

Megasporebiotic as Example of Probiotic Food Supplement Using Bacillus Spores

The best way to understand probiotics and the use of Bacillus spores is to cite the food supplement Megasporebiotic as an example. While currently over 40 different species of Bacillus have been established, the Megasporebiotic uses a blend of five of the Bacillus genus that have been identified.

The combination of the 5 Bacillus spores have shown 99.99% ability to survive while in the digestive tract and to remain dormant amidst harsh environments. Yet they are able to activate once inside the large intestines and colonize other essential microorganisms that can help form barriers in protecting the gut microbiomes. Doing so also helps the body maintain a well-functioning immune system.

Environmental Pollutants Affect Gut Health – Simple Ways To Improve Your Overall Health Through Your gut Microbiome

by Leland Candace

The human gut bacterial ecosystem, also known as gut microbiome, gut flora, or gut microbiota, would refer to the biological community of microorganisms residing in the human digestive tract or gut. While the bacteria in our digestive system belong to various groups in differing quantities, they work together, each playing an crucial part to help digest food, prevent infections, boost immunity, and even influence behavior and mood.

Taking care of our gut microbiome is then imperative for a good overall health. So how can we create balance in our microbiome? There are simple ways to improve our overall health through or gut microbiome. But first, so as to be able to improve our gut health, we need to know what causes an unhealthy and imbalanced gut.

External Factors Affecting Gut Health – Environmental Pollutants

There are external and internal factors and conditions that influence the way our gut microbiome function, contributing to our overall health and wellbeing. When it comes to external conditions and factors, numerous research have discovered that environmental pollutants go into the body through various pathways and are able to find their way into the gut. The internal environment of our body could have an effect on the way our gut microbiome responds. These pollutants could change the structure of our gut microbiome which could lead to a gamut of disorders affecting nutrient absorption, energy metabolism, or how our immune system functions.

On Food Additives and Nanoparticles

Nanomaterials are called Nanoparticles or NPs. These are microscopic materials that many manufactures today put in our food, nutritional products and cosmetics. They’re not active ingredients, but helper ingredients. They are able to enter the human body by ingestion, inhalation, or penetration through the skin.

These new environmental pollutants can be found in several dietary supplements, medications and cosmetic products. There’re concerns on safety as well as how these environmental pollutants make up gut health. It is likely that NPs could influence our gut microbiome via oral and no—oral means.

Food additives, on the other hand, are ingredients that are placed in processed foods in order to prolong its shelf-life. They are found to influence the gut flora as well as the intestinal tissue integrity in a negative way. It is then imperative to check food labels so as to know what is in the products. But, it is much better to consume more whole, fresh foods that don’t have these unhealthy and damaging additives.

Restoring And Supporting Gut Health

There are various factors that could affect gut health, like food intolerances, diet, hormones, stress, sleep, lifestyle and medications. All of these has an effect on the way our body is able to digest food as well as eliminate waste. To help restore and support gut health, here are a few simple ways

  • Take prebiotics and probiotics
  • Eat whole foods, lots of vegetables and fruits, and fibre-rich foods
  • Cut back on artificial sweeteners and sugar
  • Have adequate regular sleep routine
  • Have some exercise
  • Avoid alcohol or drink in small quantities

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