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The full potential of probiotics has been recently discovered and the research is going on. Scientists are becoming aware of these beneficial bacteria and are devising ways and means to use them to improve the health of people everywhere.

Probiotics are dietary supplements that contain live microorganisms like bacteria or yeast. They maintain a healthy balance of bacteria in the digestive tract. Since almost three-quarters of the immune system is located in the digestive tract, it is important to maintain balance or your health may suffer as a result.

The ideal balance of good bacteria and harmful bacteria should be 80% and 20% respectively. Unfortunately, this healthy balance is under constant attack by unhealthy diet, stress, illness, and exposure to toxic substances. Indeed, antibiotics change the balance significantly. Though they are taken to kill harmful bacteria, antibiotics often kill the existing beneficial bacteria as well. The result is diarrhea and other intestinal issues. Similarly, anti-bacterial soaps kill many good bacteria along with the bad bacteria.

Probiotics enhance the body's immune function by maintaining a healthy bacterial balance in the digestive tract. Probiotics also promote lactose digestion and prevent diarrhea and diarrhea-related illnesses. In addition, they maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels and they reduce inflammation and improve mineral absorption. Recent studies have shown that probiotics can be used to prevent diseases like the Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, as well as certain types of cancer. For women, specific strains of microflora have been found to be very beneficial in supporting vaginal and urinary tract health, and preventing the discomfort of a yeast or urinary tract infection.

Probiotics are equally useful for infants and children; they can benefit from them immensely in the growing years. In nature's scheme of things, newborns receive their first beneficial gut bacteria during the birthing process itself. And, this process can be carried on during the early years by supplying additional good bacteria. It will support overall digestive and immune health. Since Probiotics support the intestinal lining and prohibit allergens from entering the digestive tract, they can also reduce the risk of developing allergies at a young age.

Some preliminary research has revealed that after the age of fifty or so the amount of good bacteria in the intestines declines considerably. Therefore probiotics should be taken by adults over 50 years of age. They should start supplementing their diet with probiotics to obtain the immunity-enhancing benefits of these helpful bacteria.