Part II - Benefits of Probiotics
A healthy population of probiotic bacteria significantly reduces risk for colon cancer through the following:
- They keep levels of carcinogenic enzymes in the gut low.
- The acid pH they create is associated with lower incidence of cancer.
- Lactic acid bacteria bind with carcinogenic substances formed in cooked meat (heterocyclic amines), rendering them harmless.
Here are a few ways beneficial bacteria improve our nutrition.
- The acid environment they create facilitates the absorption of minerals, particularly calcium, iron, and magnesium.
- These bacteria are able to synthesize vitamins, particularly the B vitamins and a form of vitamin K.
- They create enzymes which aid digestion such as lactase by lactic acid bacteria, necessary for the digestion of lactose or milk sugar.
Probiotic bacteria work directly to strengthen our immune system as approximately 60% of our immune cells are found in the small intestines. They enhance immune response by stimulating the production and activity of immune cells located in the mucosal tissues lining of our gi tract, respiratory system, and urinary tract. Roughly 70% of the body’s immune capacity resides in these tissues which act as a front-line defense against a wide variety of invaders.
Some of the numerous ways friendly bacteria protect our health:
- They reduce the incidence of periodontal disease (chronic gum infection) and decrease risk for developing dental caries.
- They help reduce the incidence of bacterial vaginosis as well as protect against urinary and respiratory tract infections.
- They facilitate our body’s production of immune cells of various types.
- They are protective against pathogens by competing for growth and intestinal binding sites.
- Lactic acid bacteria have demonstrated efficacy in the treatment and prevention of acute diarrhea in children and adults.
- Probiotic bacteria reduce allergic responses to foods and environmental allergens by strengthening immune response. Those with healthy gut populations have been noted in studies to have less dermatitis and eczema.
In addition to its important function of attacking harmful organisms, the immune system must not react against nutrients and body tissues in order for our health to remain stable. It is now known that microbial stimulation of the immune cells of our intestines, called gut-associated-lymphoid-tissue (GALT), decreases its susceptibility for excessive reactivity and this reduces risk for auto-immune disorders.
