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Posted on May 26, 2009 by Kevin Agrawal | Posted under   Supplements


Green Superfoods and Great Source of Probiotics



You are what you eat right? So if all you eat is unhealthy junk food…well, you know the rest. It makes sense that in order to have a healthy body we need to have a healthy stomach and more specifically a healthy digestive tract—after all, everything that goes into our bodies has to pass through there first. And to have a healthy digestive tract we need to have a balanced amount of bacteria. That’s right, not all bacteria are bad—In fact it is very important for us to have good bacteria in order for our digestive system to function properly.

The inner lining of the digestive tract contains trillions of microorganisms, in the form of bacteria or yeasts. Bacteria are prevalent throughout the digestive system but especially exist in large numbers in the large intestine. They survive in clusters or colonies. Good bacteria are known as probiotic intestinal flora.

Beneficial Flora and their Role in Digestion and Nutrition
Many species of intestinal flora like Lactobacillus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, are able to produce B vitamins and, the very essential, vitamin K (vital for bone formation and blood clotting.). They break down certain indigestible carbohydrates into the fatty acids that provide us with energy and nutrients. Other forms of flora digest proteins releasing amino acids for absorption. Some strains are useful in digestion and fat storage, which helps to regulate cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Other flora makes available minerals like magnesium, iron, copper and manganese, which are necessary for the absorption of fatty acids. Normal intestinal flora controls the pH levels in the intestines, prevents gas formation and bloating, and helps in formation of normal stools.

The Role of Beneficial Flora in Immunity
Beneficial bacteria protect the intestinal mucosal lining by preventing the access of pathogens (disease-causing bacteria), toxins and allergens into the rest of the body. Some beneficial bacteria stimulate the immune system by increasing T lymphocyte counts (the cells that mediate immunity). Recent studies shows that T lymphocytes that target cytotoxins increased more than 28 percent in young healthy women after they consumed conventional yogurt (commonly known as an excellent source of beneficial bacteria) daily for one month.1

Beneficial Flora and Hormone Metabolism
Beneficial flora is known to metabolize and reabsorb hormones like estrogen, thyroid hormones and phytoestrogens from food sources helping to reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause.

Role of Probiotics
And while disturbances in the flora can occur because of a consistently low fiber diet, stress, and unhealthy eating habits there is something that you can do.

An imbalance in the beneficial flora can be restored with probiotics.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that contain beneficial bacteria similar to those normally found in your body2. Probiotic supplements can be taken to keep the beneficial flora healthy.3

Good Sources of Probiotics
So where can you get these amazing body balancers? Green superfoods like Spirulina, Chlorella, Wheat grass and green leafy vegetables are good sources of probiotics4. Cultured dairy products, including yogurt, buttermilk, cheese, and soy sauce also contain probiotics. Polyphenol-containing food sources like garlic, green tea and ginseng are a good way to incorporate probiotics into your system. But it’s not always possible to eat these foods, so a probiotic supplement can a be healthy and convenient way to supply your body with the tools it needs to keep your flora in check.

Important Features of a Good Probiotic
A good probiotic should:
  • Be non-pathogenic, without any toxic substances.
  • Resistant to stomach acid and bile.
  • Able to adhere to intestinal mucosal membrane
  • Produce antibacterial substances.
  • Enhance metabolic activities like cholesterol assimilation, production of vitamins B and K and help in lactose metabolism.

Composition of Probiotics
Probiotics are composed of bacteria, molds and yeasts. Most probiotics are bacteria—and lactic acid bacteria is one of the most common.: Lactobacillus acidophilus, L.casei, L.lactis, L.fermentum are all forms of lactic acid bacteria.. A probiotic can be made up of a single bacterial strain or a combination of strains, and can come in powder, liquid, granule or capsule form.

Probiotic Supplements
Supplements like Royal Greens Ultra contain a rich variety of green superfoods densely-packed with nutrition and a spectrum of probiotics necessary to maintain a healthy digestive system. Often our diets are not conducive to the healthy multiplication of probiotics in the digestive system. Taking a supplement like Royal Greens Ultra can help restore imbalanced intestinal floral, improve digestion and support the immune mechanism of the normal gut flora.

References:
  1. Study report by Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism
  2. Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist Michael Picco, M.D http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/probiotics/AN00389 .
  3. Von Wright, A. and Salminen, S. (1999) European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 11:1195- 1198.
  4. Gensler, Probiotic and Prebiotic Recipes for Health. Fair Winds Press, 2008.
  5. Shahani, K. Cultivate Health from Within. Vital Health Publishing, 2005



About The Author:
New Vitality is a health supplements company. It develops supplement products which are carefully formulated under the guidance of an elite panel comprised of renowned doctors, nutritionists, chemists and researchers. Whether you want a green superfoods, pet health supplement, a personal care product or a health care product, New Vitality is a one-stop shop for all needs.


Tags: SUPERFOODS, PROBIOTICS, GREEN, FLORA, DIGESTION, NUTRITION, VITAMINS, PROTEINS, IMMUNE, METABOLISM, HORMONE, PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS, GREEN SUPERFOODS, I
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