Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: Long term use of probiotics?BEVRS

FYI

A probiotic is an organism that contributes to the health and balance of the intestinal tract; also referred to as the "friendly", "beneficial", or "good" bacteria which when ingested acts to maintain a healthy intestinal tract and help fight illness and disease.

This good microflora in your intestine can provide a protective effect only when a proper balance is maintained among all the different bacteria that normally reside in your intestine. If your normal bacteria become depleted or the balance is disturbed, potentially harmful bacteria can overgrow and become established, causing digestive and other health problems. These harmful bacteria are known as pathogenic bacteria, and they have the ability to cause gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea or abdominal pain if not kept in check by the beneficial bacteria.

The most frequently used probiotic genera are Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. The potential mechanisms of their action include competitive bacterial interactions, production of antimicrobial metabolites, mucosal conditioning, and immune modulation. The emerging use of probiotics in several gastrointestinal disorders (eg, inflammatory bowel disease) has led to increased interest in their use in patients with IBS.

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My website on IBS is www.ibshealth.com

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