Beneficial Bacteria: A Primer on Probiotics and Gl Health

摘要

A balanced intestinal microflora is important to overall health. Benefits include a healthier immune system, better ability to digest nutrients, protection against pathogens, help with intestinal transit, and production of vitamins and growth factorsfor intestinal cells. An imbalance of intestinal microflora, by contrast, has been associated with many gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. In humans, the administration of probiotics, or beneficial bacteria, has shown promise in the management of numerous conditions, including antimicrobial-associated diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, pouchitis, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, and nonspecific diarrhea.