Breeding The Friendly Bacteria

Our body houses more than 100 trillion bacteria. While some of them are harmful, the others are beneficial for our health.

Our body houses more than 100 trillion bacteria. While some of them are harmful, the others are beneficial for our health. Our gastrointestinal tract alone is home to more than 400 different species of bacteria, collectively weighing one-and-a-half kilograms. To live in harmony with these and benefit maximum from them, we need a balanced diet. nbsp;

Probiotics is a Greek word meaning 8216;for life8217;. They are, according to UN8217;s Food and Agriculture Organisation, 8216;8216;live microorganisms administered in adequate amounts, which confer a beneficial health effect on the host.8217;8217;

These friendly bacteria promote the body8217;s natural immunity and help digestion. They also suppress the harmful bacteria.

So, what happens if there is a deficiency of probiotics in our body? nbsp;When there is an increase in the number of harmful bacteria, they replace the probiotics on the lining of our intestinal tract. If not checked in time, this may lead to serious complications.

Having said that, how would you know if you have a healthy probiotic balance? Well, if you are exposed to any of these risk factors, you are in trouble:

Lifestyle: Increased stress, rushed or irregular meals, excessive travel.

Diet: Unbalanced diet, increased alcohol consumption, high intake of food loaded with chemical additives packaged and processed food.

Excessive Medication: Increased use of medicines like contraceptive pills, antibiotics and steroids.

Environmental: Pollution and increased use of pesticides.

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Others: Poor gut due to constipation and diarrhea, chemotherapy and exposure to harmful radiations.

Here are some of the rich sources of probiotics:

Fermented Dairy Products: Yogurt, buttermilk, lassie and kefir.

Dietary Supplements: Probiotic drinks, powders and capsules are good as they are highly concentrated sources. About 65 ml of any probiotic drink provides bacteria equal to nearly 60 tubs 200 ml of commercial yogurt.

Others: These include whole grains, oats, wheat bran, barley, isabgol, soybeans, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, fenugreek seeds methre, garlic, onions, leek like spring onions, carrots and citrus fruits.

What to Avoid: Excessive intake of refined flours, sugar and processed foods is harmful.