healthy body tips

Healthy bacteria reside in everybody's colon, and in return for food and a warm place to live these resident bacteria contribute to your health. One of the most intestinal-friendly resident bacteria is the family of lactobacteria, so called because they thrive on lactose sugars. The resident germ you will read most about isL.acidophilus, which means "acid- loving," because these organisms grow best in an acidic intestinal environment. Here are some healthy things these bacteria do for your body: 

1. Improves digestion. Lactobacteria, as the name implies, help digest the lactose in dairy  products, preventing lactose overload, and lessening problems with lactose intolerance. Lactobacteria also help with the absorption of valuable nutrients and stimulate peristalsis, the movement of food through the intestines that leads to regular bowel movements.

2. Manufactures vitamins. Like rich soil grows vitamin-rich foods, lactobacteria produce B-complex vitamins, along with vitamin K.

3. Manufactures nutrients. Friendly bacteria help manufacture essential fatty acids called short chain fatty acids (SCFA). These are valuable nutrients for intestinal cells and also produce cancer-fighting substances.

4. Boosts immunity. Lactobacteria inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, such as candida (yeast). They help keep the intestinal environment acidic and compete with harmful bacteria and the toxins they produce. They even produce hydrogen peroxide, which has a natural antibiotic effect.

5. Protects against carcinogens. Lactobacteria bind potential carcinogens, preventing them from damaging cells. L.bulgaricus, the main lactobacillus used in yogurt, has anti-tumor properties. Specifically, lactobacteria bind heavy metals and bile acids, which are potential carcinogens. These bacteria inhibit the growth of nitrate-producing bacteria (nitrates can be a carcinogen). They also metabolize flavanoids, producing natural anti-tumor substances.

6. Protects against cardiovascular disease. Lactobacteria help regulate cholesterol and tryglyceride levels in the blood.

Be kind to the bugs in your bowels. They do good things for you.