Probiotics: The Helpful Bacteria
Probiotics are bacteria. But they're not the harmful bacteria that cause illness and infection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), probiotics are live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. A wide variety of these helpful bacteria live naturally in our bodies and help keep us healthy. By some estimates, our bodies contain more healthy bacteria cells than human cells.These helpful bacteria comprise the "microflora" which inhabit our digestive and urogenital, including vaginal, tracts. Under normal conditions, our microflora interact with other cells to support immune function, prevent overgrowth of pathogenic microorganisms, maintain acidic pH, and specifically in the intestines to synthesize vitamins, faciltate absorption of minerals, produce nutrients, aid in digestion, and support other activities essential to optimal health.
Unfortunately, factors such as exposure to infectious illness, medication usage, menstruation, oral contraceptives, stress, travel, diet and the like can disrupt a healthy, balanced microflora - making us more susceptible to illness and infection. And ironically, antibiotics - frequently used to fight harmful bacteria and their effects on us - often destroy our body's helpful bacteria in the process of making us better. This creates a situation in which we are temporarily left "unprotected" by our healthy microflora and explains the high occurence of yeast infection and diarrhea suffered by antibiotic users.
There is, however, a natural alternative. By introducing new, healthy bacteria into our systems, we can help to maintain and restore our bodies' normal balance. This reinforces our natural immune systems, so our bodies can optimally fight illness and infection.
Thankfully women have access to a line of products that treat and prevent the symptoms of yeast infection naturally and in concert with the body's own healing mechanisms. Yeast•Gard products employ the principles of homeopathy to correct the imbalance that’s at the root of the problem so that rather than simply suppressing disease symptoms, they act as catalysts to support the body's inherent healing process, helping to curb excessive yeast growth and restore balance. And, the probiotic base into which our Yeast•Gard Advanced homeopathic formulas are blended, support the body’s natural healing process even more. So when used on a daily basis, our Yeast•Gard Advanced Products provide ongoing support of your natural defenses, continually promote optimal balance and help prevent recurrent infection.
To learn more about the healthy benefits of probiotics, read the articles and visit the Web sites below.
Links
U.S. ProbioticsWikipedia - Probiotic