Lactobacillus – The Bacteria You Need (And Should Love)

Lactobacillus is a type of beneficial bacteria that inhabit the human digestive and urinary systems. Typically found in fermented foods such as yogurt and probiotic formulas, these friendly bacteria lend to a healthy, functioning digestive tract and immune system.

In the medical field, lactobacillus is used to treat a number of digestive-related illness and conditions including:
Crohn’s Disease
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Inflammation of the colon
Colic in infants
Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) (often found in premature babies)
Diarrhea, especially infectious types often associated with children and tourists, as well as symptoms of antibiotic treatment
Acid reflux (GERD)
General digestive issues

Lactobacillus has also been proven effective in some non-digestive instances, including:
Boosting nutrient and vitamin absorption
Treating and preventing common colds and the flu
Preventing respiratory infections in children – especially child in high exposure daycare settings
Helicobacter pylori infection which often leads to ulcers if untreated
Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Vaginal yeast infections
Prevent serious infection in people on ventilators
Skin conditions such as eczema (allergic dermatitis), hives, acne, fever blisters, and canker sores
Treating high cholesterol
Countering lactose intolerance
Treating Lyme disease
Combating weight gain

But how can Lactobacillus be effective against such a wide array of seemingly unrelated conditions, from Lyme disease to ulcers and even weight loss? The answer is really quite simple. These bacteria are a natural part of an operative human body and are required to foster a functioning immune system. They help the human body break down food, absorb nutrients, and fight off bad microbes and infections. Without a healthy level of these beneficial bacteria, the immune system suffers, leaving a person vulnerable to a myriad of conditions and diseases. With the correct balance of these microorganisms, a person’s digestive tract and immune system function at their best.

Unfortunately, the lifestyle of the modern human does not promote a healthy environment for these bacteria. We no longer have a diet rich in fermented foods and favor a highly processed diet. Worse yet, GMO-ready foods uptake higher levels of agricultural chemicals that have been proven to kill probiotic microbes, compounding any digestive or immunity problems. The best solution is selecting a high-quality NON-GMO probiotic formula from a trusted supplier. The probiotic should be made of all natural, certified organic ingredients products and feature a wide range of live microbes and bacteria that have not been genetically modified nor have then been freeze dried. Become a label reader and reach out to the company that makes the probiotic to ask questions. Probiotics are not inexpensive, as a consumer, you should ask questions and be informed. In this case, your health depends on it.

 

Eric Lancaster is Executive Vice President of TeraGanix, Inc., the exclusive North America distributor of Effective Microorganisms® and EM® Bokashi products. He is the technical expert on Effective Microorganisms® for the US market. Please visit www.TeraGanix.com for more information.