Our body is made up of many small defenses that help fight off invading pathogens. These natural “body guards” help in preventing certain illnesses and diseases to occur. An example of these is none other the probiotics. Probiotics are types of bacteria that normally live inside the gastrointestinal tract or the vagina. Unlike any other bacteria, probiotics are considered to be useful and beneficial. They in fact suppress the growth of pathogenic bacteria, boost the digestive system and help in producing vitamins in the immune system. There are 400 different types of probiotics inside our body and one of the most common and useful is none other than the Lactobacillus acidophilus or simply acidophilus. A lot of us may not have heard of the different uses of this agent inside the body, but the acidophilus actually has many purposes. Here are some of the acidophilus benefits that all of us can definitely bank on.
Aside from boosting the immune system, Lactobacillus acidophilus can actually reduce the risks of having vaginal infections that are caused mainly by yeasts such as Candida albicans. In addition to this, this probiotic is also useful in lowering the chances of having UTIs or urinary tracts infections. It also aids in the regular process of digestion thus helps in digesting dairy products by producing lactase. Aside from these wonderful purposes, acidophilus is also a great agent in treating digestive problems such as Chrons disease, constipation, indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome. Some studies have even proven that acidophilus can help the body in fighting cancer. However, the exact rationale for this benefit is still unknown.
Another known benefit for this probiotic is that it absorbs cholesterol in the intestine. This in turn prevents it from getting into the blood stream thus reducing the risk of heart attacks and artery blockage. In addition to these facts, acidophilus is also known to help in the treatment of other diseases including diabetes, asthma and a lot more. It also aids in the manufacturing of different vitamins including vitamins K, B12, B1 and also folic acid. Acidophilus also eases the effects of food poisoning as well as diarrhea. These are just some of the different benefits of acidophilus in our body system.
Where can we get acidophilus? Lactobacillus acidophilus can be obtained in food sources such as yogurt, cottage cheese, fermented foods and kefir. Acidophilus can also be in supplement form such as capsules, powders, liquids and tablets. Acidophilus drinks are even available in most markets these days. These supplements will work as good as any other natural sources of acidophilus. These are the reasons why we need to include acidophilus in our diet.
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