If an imbalance occurs in favor of intestinal bacteria that express virulent properties, many manifestations of ill health may result. Unfortunately, the growing arsenal of antibiotics used to fight disease is one of the main culprits in upsetting this delicate balance because antibiotics do not distinguish between healthful and pathogenic microbes. Shifting the intestinal bacterial population toward healthy microflora is essential in maintaining good health. Probiotics have been used for many years to aid in restoring and maintaining the intestinal balance in favor of healthful bacteria. Probiotics are organisms or supportive substances that improve intestinal microbial balance, and include Lactobacillus acidophilus, bifidobacteria, fiber, oligosaccharides, and bioactive proteins such as immunoglobulin A and lactoferrin.
Probiotics are an important source of supportive nutrition for human intestinal health.
Probiotics are organisms or supportive substances that improve intestinal microbial balance, and include Lactobacillus aci-dophilus, bifidobacteria, and bioactive proteins such as immunoglobulin A and lactoferrin. A major consideration in the choice of probiotics is to choose a strain that can survive and establish itself under the conditions encountered in the intestinal environment. Therefore, when choosing a probiotic supplement the healthcare professional must consider those qualities and characteristics essential to establishment and activity of L. aci-dophilus in the intestinal environment, such as bile resistance and intestinal adherence. The L. acidophilus NCFM strain has been thoroughly researched and is recognized for its ability to survive in the presence of bile or stomach acid and adhere to the intestinal mucosa. In addition, studies have demonstrated many beneficial effects of the L. acidophilus NCFM strain, such as cholesterol assimilation and reduction of pro-carcinogenic fecal bacterial enzyme activity.