Probiotics: defenders of gastrointestinal habitats

• Main Authors: Desh D. Singh, Sarika Amdeka, Vinod Singh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2012-11-01
• Series: Gastroenterology Insights
• Subjects: probiotics, diarrohea, IBS, gut immunity
• Online Access: http://www.pagepress.org/journals/index.php/gi/article/view/3663
• ISSN: 2036-7414; 2036-7422

Intestinal microbiota play an important role in maintaining normal gastrointestinal (GI) function and ensuring that changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota can promote GI function. The digestive tract is full of bacteria and many of these, including probiotics, are necessary for optimal digestive function. During bacterial gastroenteritis, harmful bacteria invade the digestive tract causing unpleasant symptoms and upsetting the balance between <em>good</em> and <em>bad</em> bacteria. Supplemental probiotics can help restore this balance. Studies have demonstrated that probiotics can often help reduce the severity of symptoms such as diarrhea and may help accelerate recovery. Probiotics are therapeutic preparations of live microorganisms administered in sufficient dosage to be beneficial to health. The therapeutic effects of these microorganisms appear to be strain specific. Primal Defense®, a unique, <em>probiotic</em>, bacterial compound, contains probiotics that support gut flora balance, promote consistent bowel function, control stomach acid levels to quickly eliminate burning sensation in the stomach and maintain immune system response. The probiotics in Primal Defense® maximize the benefits of a healthy diet by supporting normal absorption and assimilation of nutrients in the gut. Nearly 75% of our immune defenses are located in the digestive tract, so maintaining a favorable bacterial balance in the intestines (ideally 80% <em>good</em> or neutral bacteria to 20% <em>bad</em> or harmful bacteria) is crucial to achieving and maintaining optimum health.